FAQ for Students General

What is homestay and what is the difference between homestay and other accommodation?
How do I apply for homestay?
What is the average age of the students who go into homestay?
What if I am under 18 years of age?
What is the minimum period of homestay?
How long do students generally stay for?
Can I extend my homestay?
What about my preferences?
Can the students share a room?
Can I stay in the same homestay with my friend?
Can I bring a friend home?
Which countries are the students from?
How does Homestay Accommodation Services monitor the performance of homestays?
What can I do if a problem arises?
If I have problems with my homestay, can I be moved into a new homestay?

What is homestay and what is the difference between homestay and other accommodation?

Homestay is a unique accommodation option, which offers international students the opportunity to live in a local home while studying in Australia. Living with a homestay allows you to experience a different culture and enables you to practise your English. Homestay not only provides food and shelter, but assistance, emotional support and an opportunity to further communication skills. It is a great introduction to life in Australia.

How do I apply for homestay?

Please go to our Application Procedure page by clicking here

What if I am under 18 years of age??

If you are under 18 years old, and you want to apply for a student visa, your parents must nominate a guardian for you in Australia before you can be granted a student visa. If you don’t have a parent, custodian or eligible relative over the age of 21 with whom you will be staying, your parents can organise a care-giver service to monitor your day-to day care in your Homestay.

Information for Under 18s can be found at http://www.monash.edu/international/u18/

For information on how to apply for a student visa:
http://www.monash.edu/international/visa/

What is the minimum period of homestay?

Please see Section 3.1* of the Student Memorandum of Understanding: The minimum period is five weeks for all students except Study Group programs.

Can I extend my homestay?

Yes, the length of homestay may be extended on request. A letter with an offer for extending homestay will be sent out to you prior to the conclusion of the initial homestay period.

What about my preferences?

We will endeavour to place you with a homestay who will accommodate your preferences and requests.

Can I stay in the same homestay with my friend?

Homestay Accommodation Services's policy is that no two students from the same country should reside in the same homestay.

Can I bring a friend home?

Homestays are very flexible and may allow guests into the house, provided you consult them and give notice of when guests will be arriving. However, each family is unique and may have different house rules, so please consult your homestay first.

How does Homestay Accommodation Services monitor the performance of homestays?

Homestays have been carefully selected, screened and undergone a compulsory Working with Children Check before they have been permitted to host. Students are required to complete an evaluation form of their homestay at different stages of their stay as part of Homestay Accommodation Services's ongoing system of quality control.

What can I do if a problem arises?

Homestay Accommodation Services offers 24-hour emergency contact with staff.

If I have problems with my homestay, can I be moved into a new homestay?

Yes, please see Section 3.4* of the Student Memorandum Of Understanding for details. Students are required to stay with their homestay for a minimum of two weeks to give themselves and the homestay time to adjust to each other. However, if exceptional circumstances require the student to be relocated within this period, this will be arranged promptly at no charge.