Secondary school students
South Australian Government Schools arrange homestay accommodation for international students who are 12 years of age or older while they're studying in South Australia.
International Education Services (IES) — a unit within the Department for Education — manages all aspects of the International Student Program. This includes student recruitment and homestay accommodation.
Homestay durations
You can choose to host a student for a period of time that best suits your family:
- 1 to 4 terms - short term High School Study Abroad students
- 1 to 5 years - longer term High School Graduate Program students.
Why host an international student
As a local family hosting an international student you will have the chance to:
- 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.
What's 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 give them a safe, supportive and welcoming home environment.
Requirements and expectations
As a homestay you'll be required to provide your student with:
- a furnished bedroom inside the family home – not a separate dwelling
- all meals
- use of utilities – that is water, electricity, gas
- access to TV, internet
- use of facilities – for example iron, vacuum cleaner, laundry.
You'll also be expected to:
- support your student in their studies
- monitor your student’s health and wellbeing
- 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.
How IES will support you
International Education Services (IES) will provide you with:
- a weekly allowance of $360 for a single room
- an initial briefing session and homestay handbook
- homestay newsletters and updates
- 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
- submitting an application online
- supplying photos of your family and home
- getting a Working with Children Check
- completing your responding to risks of harm, abuse and neglect in education and care (fundamentals) training
- a visit and interview by an IES accommodation officer to meet your family and assess the facilities in your home.
Apply to be a homestay host for a secondary student
Contact
International Education Services
Phone: +61 8 8226 3402
Email: education.isp@sa.gov.au
Tertiary students
Most international tertiary 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 AHN 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.
Apply to be a homestay host for a tertiary student
Alternatively make enquires direct with the relevant tertiary institution.
