FAQs about your Homestay Student

Can I set my own house rules?
What is the maximum number of students I can host?
What do you mean by three meals a day?
Am I required to wash and clean for my student?
How flexible is homestay in terms of host parents going away on holidays?
Is there someone I can contact if a problem arises?
What can I do if a problem cannot be resolved?
Emergency Contact?

Can I set my own house rules?

Most definitely, homestays are encouraged to set house rules if applicable, prior to the student’s stay so that an understanding between student and homestay can be achieved. However, keep in mind that most students are studying at university and are over the age of 18, so please be flexible.

What is the maximum number of students I can host?

Homestay Accommodation Services accepts no more than three international students per household, regardless of whether students are from HAS or from another homestay provider. No two students from the same country may reside in one household. This is to encourage students to speak English and not their own language.

What do you mean by three meals a day?

Homestays may be very flexible in terms of meals. Three meals a day may include two cooked meals and one cut lunch, or cereal for breakfast, a cut lunch and a cooked dinner. It is entirely up to the agreement between homestay and student, provided that students are sufficiently fed. Please exercise your discretion in regards to the frequency of takeaway food and eating-out as meals are already included in the homestay fee.

Am I required to wash and clean for my student?

Homestays are not required to wash and clean for students, however homestays may choose to do so at their own discretion. For example, when homestays are doing their own laundry they may decide to do their student’s laundry at the same time. Some students may prefer to do their own laundry, however some may request to have their laundry done by their homestay.

How flexible is homestay in terms of host parents going away on holidays?

Most students over the age of 18 may be comfortable staying home alone overnight. Alternatives can include having the student stay at a friend’s house, inviting the student to come along, or having a friend of the student stay over to keep them company. If your student is under 18, or you plan to be away more than one night, please call us on 9905 8326 or 9902 0318 to discuss an appropriate arrangement.

Is there someone I can contact if a problem arises?

Homestay Accommodation Services can provide counselling and mediation to assist in resolving issues. Hosts should let us know of any concerns or problems that arise so clear communication can be given to help resolve problems or misunderstandings. Call us on 9905 8326 between 8 am and 5.30 pm, Monday - Friday.

What can I do if a problem cannot be resolved?

If a problem cannot be resolved even after mediation and counselling, students may be relocated to a more suitable homestay. However this is the last alternative and we do ask for Homestays to be tolerant where possible.

Emergency Contact

Our 24-hour emergency hotline service deals with serious and emergency issues such as hospitalisation. The hotline number is 0411 475 232 and must only be used for emergencies. For all other issues, leave a message on one of our office numbers: 9905 8326 / 9902 0318 / 9902 0122.