International secondary school students
South Australian government schools arrange homestay accommodation for international students who are 12 years of age or older while they are studying abroad in South Australia.
You can choose to host a student for a period of time that best suits your family:
- 1-4 terms (short term High School Study Abroad students)
- 1-5 years (longer term High School Graduate Program students)
- learn about other cultures, customs and traditions
- make lifelong friendships with your student and their family
- participate in activities and meet other host families
- explore South Australia.
International Education Services (IES) — a unit within the Department for Education — manages all aspects of the International Student Program, including student recruitment and homestay accommodation.
What is involved
When you host an international student, they will become a member of your family. Your student will be a long way from home and in your care so you will be expected to provide them with a safe, supportive and welcoming home environment.
As a homestay, you will be required to provide your student with:
- a furnished bedroom inside the family home (not a separate dwelling)
- all meals
- use of utilities (ie water, electricity and gas)
- access to TV, internet
- use of facilities (eg iron, vacuum cleaner, laundry).
You will also be expected to:
- support your student in their studies
- monitor your student’s health and well-being
- accept duty of care for your student outside of school hours
- provide a friendly and inviting home for your student
- speak English with your student to improve their language skills.
The IES will provide you with:
- a weekly allowance of $300 for a single room
- an initial briefing session and homestay handbook
- homestay newsletters
- homestay workshops covering a variety of topics
- an invite to the annual homestay picnic for families and students
- a range of homestay activities and giveaways
- ongoing support from the homestay accommodation team
- access to the 24 hour emergency telephone service.
How to become a homestay host
- getting a Working With Children Check
- submitting an application online
- a visit and interview by an IES accommodation officer to meet your family and assess the facilities in your home.
Related information
Contact
International Education Services
Phone: +61 8 8226 3402
Email: decdisp@sa.gov.au
International tertiary education students
With access to a range of quality and affordable accommodation options most international students live on campus or organise private rental accommodation.
Some international students prefer homestay:
- for the first few weeks of their stay to familarise themselves with their new environment
- long-term as an opportunity to practise their English language skills
- on short-term cultural exchanges.
Australian Homestay Network (AHN) offers a range of homestay accommodation and support services to international students, education providers and agents. AHN has partnered with Flinders University, University of South Australia (UniSA) and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) SA to provide homestays.
How to become a homestay host
Becoming a registered and approved host with Australian Homestay Network involves:
- getting a background check
- submitting an application online
- a visit and interview by an AHN staff member to meet your family and assess the facilities in your home.
Alternatively make enquires direct with the relevant tertiary institution.
