Homestay Guidelines

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The following information is for accommodating an International student in your home. By hosting an International student in your home you are providing a valuable service as a representative of Homestay Australia P/L and the institution that the student attends.  

Homestay Australia P/L considers you, as the Host, an employee. We require you to provide information about yourself which will remain confidential and only be passed on to a third party (the student, Agent or a School) with your permission. When completing the application form, we are relying on your accuracy. Homestay Australia P/L creates a profile of  you at the time of application and confirms certain details when you are visited by a representative of Homestay Australia P/L. who will be your Supervisor. Homestay Australia P/L will arrange a follow up visit to your home every 7 to 8 months.  

 

It is your responsibility to ensure that your information is correct and updated as changes occur by informing your supervisor.  This is done by email or contacting your supervisor directly. If your Profile is inaccurate, then a student has no legal or moral obligation to adhere to our "Conditions of Homestay Accommodation". 

 

Homestay Australia P/L also considers you a Teacher.  Indirectly, no matter how short the time a student is with you,  your role is to teach a student life skills, as you would your own child or as your parents have done for you. Every student is different. Some are very independent, some not so. Your supervisor will explain this to you.

As a Host, you are required to show a duty of care towards your student. Your student may be someone  who requires assistance with :

Please be clear on the following. An International student is not in your home to just pay your rent or mortgage. They are in your home to learn English, learn about Melbourne and what a fantastic place it is to live and learn about the Australian Culture and values.

 

By providing an outstanding service as a Homestay Host, you are entitled to be paid for your efforts. But it is a mistake to view payment for hosting an International student as a sole source of Income.

 

These international students have come from cultures over two thousand years old. The Australian Aboriginal culture is older, much older, but most Australians know nothing about it.

 

The following URL   Asian V Western Thinking  provides information regarding the  differences between Asian and Western culture as well as an explanation of Asian V’s Western thinking. While providing information about cultural differences, we will also be providing information regarding cultural "sameness". i.e.:  What do different cultures have in common.

   

 

THE EXPECTATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDYING AND LIVING IN AUSTRALIA ?

 

Unlike many of us who travel overseas for short periods of time, International students are coming to Australia to live here, some for many years.  They, like us, have expectations as to how they wish to live in Australia. These students are not poor. Some come from very wealthy families. This will mean two factors.

 

One. They are used to quality (service and accommodation) and Two, many have never had to cook, clean or generally cared for themselves.

 

Their key concerns are ;

 

 

(Source: Gail Quirk , Manager International Student Support, Swinburne University)

 

THE BENEFITS OF BEING A HOST FAMILY

 

The inclusion of an International student into your home should be for a keenness to learn more about other cultures. For all concerned the experience should be a rewarding one. Most complications occur due to a break down in communication so it is important to establish a rapport as soon as possible with your student. Therefore it is important to be home on the day that a student arrives to establish a firm relationship.  

The ultimate goal of students studying in Australia is a university degree. Therefore, the aim of the Host Family should be to provide a caring, comfortable, and healthy environment, which supports the student's academic progress so they can achieve their goals. This may not be easy at first. It takes time and patience on the part of both the Host and the student. Initially, students may appear unresponsive and seem reluctant to ask questions and express dissatisfaction and/or pleasure. This does not necessarily mean that they are unhappy or uncaring. Many students are just overwhelmed by the new and unfamiliar environment.

  

Be prepared for their initial culture shock - it is your responsibility to make this transition as easy as possible for the student. New students usually suffer the following problems upon arrival.

They are either cold or lonely or both. Many experienced hosts comment on how their student at times will withdraw to their bedroom after the evening meal not to be seen again until the following morning. In many instances students believe that is what they are supposed to do and expect that their host will invite them back into the lounge or family room to watch television, for example. Many students lack the initiative to leave their bedroom upon their own accord.

Please check that your student is not withdrawing to the sanctuary of their own bedroom for the wrong reasons.  

All Host payments are Tax Free.

 

  

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE HOST FAMILY

 

Each Host Family is visited prior to the placement of a student with them. As you would understand, not every family or household is selected as a Host Family. In some cases a family is selected but have to wait some time before they receive a student. The delay can be due to many factors, the main cause being the Host Family's location in relation to the schools that International students attend.

Host Families that are successful are people who show a duty of care: They must ; Have a friendly personality; Are flexible;  Are good communicators; Have acceptable moral and social values; Have some experience dealing with young people; Have had some experience with people from different cultures; Can provide a stable environment;  Are located near public transport; Have a balance in their judgment between the need for an income and the welfare of a student ; Can provide clean and tidy accommodation; To ensure that in the event of illness the student receives medical attention; To ensure that the student is home at agreed times and their whereabouts known at all times.

 

HOUSING

The maximum number of students you should have in your home is three at any one time.

 

WORKING WITH CHILDREN CARD

 

All persons over the age of 18 years who reside in the same homestay as the International Student are required to have a Working With Children Card or Check (WWCC) or Blue Card or Police Check. Application forms can be obtained from your local Post Office. Once you have completed your application and received your card, scan the card and email a copy to srm@homestay-australia.com . The WWCC is compulsory for all Hosts and must be able to be produced upon request.

Although you are receiving a payment for your service, the payment is classed as non taxable and therefore not considered as employment. Therefore, when applying for the WWCC you are considered a Volunteer and no payment is required. Please tick the correct box.

INSURANCE  

Public Liability Insurance

To ensure both parties, Homestay Australia Pty. Ltd. and you as the Host Family are covered for Public Liability Insurance please confirm that you have contacted your Insurance company and have confirmed that Unrelated residents are covered under your current policy. Because federally,  a homestay is not considered as a business, the notification that a students resides with you is no reason for any  Insurance company to either cancel or refuse Insurance.

If you have any queries, please be in contact with our office. 

 

Student Contents  Insurance  

Please confirm that you have a current Contents Insurance policy for your home and that your insurer is advised that you have an International student residing in your home. Homestay Australia Pty. Ltd. does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any damages or loss of income incurred by the Homestay Host or the Student residing in a Homestay.

 

TRAVEL DIRECTIONS

The Host is required to ensure that the student understands which is the best way to travel to school.  The Host is to provide a copy of a timetable for the transport. Check that the student can understand how to read the information. Check that at all times the student is carrying some form of identification that will state who they are, where they are staying and the Host's telephone number. 

 

PAYMENTS / TIMES

Homestay Australia P/L will make all homestay payments in 4 week blocks. All payments to Hosts will be made by Telegraphic Transfer. The International student does not make direct payments to their Host. All accommodation arrangements and payments are between Homestay Australia P/L and the student. Changes to the service provided to an International student (i.e.  - a reduction in meals provided) must have the permission of Homestay Australia P/L.

The International student is required to give 2 weeks notice (If, upon arrival they are sure that they will only be in the accommodation for 4 weeks, they are not required to advise you until a week prior to the completion of the first 4 week period. ) Homestay Australia P/L does not require a student to sign a Contract nor pay a Bond for the accommodation. All questions of payment should be referred to Homestay Australia P/L

  

HOLIDAY PAYMENTS

If a student plans to travel around Australia or go back to their country for a period of time and they wish to keep their room, a fee of $185.00 per week is required to be paid. This payment is to be to Homestay Australia P/L  then it is sent to you.

 

HOST PAYMENTS

Hosts are paid 7 days after arrival of their student.

 

NOTICE

If you wish to ask a student to leave your home, notice of 2 weeks is required. Your student is required to give you 2 weeks notice if they decide to leave. If they are Under 18 years, they require the approval of their school to change homestay. If your student is Under 18 years, then advise Homestay Australia P/L immediately by email. srm@homestay-australia.com

 

ACCOMMODATION

A Host will provide you with a single room (unless agreed prior to arrival for a twin shared room); furnished with wardrobe hanging space, a chest of drawers, a desk and a single or double bed.  You will be given access to laundry facilities in the home. The homestay fee also covers all costs for electricity, gas and water.  All telephone calls are a separate cost.

 

MEALS  

(3) meals per day,  –  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

 

Breakfast - Self Service (help yourself) : A choice of cereal, toast, condiments, milk OR noodles. Foods are to be provided by the Homestay and student is to help themselves.

 

Lunch - Self Service (help yourself) Can be a choice of Sandwiches OR a Container of Food to be heated plus piece of fruit and a drink. Foods are to be provided by the Homestay and student is to help themselves.

 

Dinner - A cooked meal. (To be provided by the Host) The homestay can provide different styles of food i.e., Western and Asian.

 

Dinner, a cooked meal, is provided by the Host. This does not have to be a large meal as the main meal in Asia is the lunch meal. The homestay can provide different styles of food .e,  Western and Asian. This is to be for  seven days per week.

 

Some students are quite westernised and will eat Western style food. Others prefer to eat food, which is as similar as possible to what they ate in their own country. Always ask the student what they like to eat. Get them to explain what is in the foods they like.

 

For a benchmark, rice and noodles are usually eaten coupled with stir-fry vegetables, pieces of meat etc. The Asian student does not often eat dessert therefore as a suggestion you can offer a snack to the student once they arrive home and not provide any dessert at the end of the main meal. If they are still hungry offer fruit.

 

If a student continuously complains that they do not have enough to eat and you feel that you are feeding them good-sized meals then advise us by email.. They may have a problem, which has nothing to do with their meals but lack the language skills to express their concerns in another way. Culture shock, loneliness and stress from residing in a foreign country can be reasons why a student is unhappy with meals provided.

 

For students who prefer food, which is hot and spicy, a suggestion is to prepare meals that the entire family can eat but place on the table hot Chilli sauce bottles. In this way the student is free to add the sauce to their food if they wish. Rice, either plain, or cooked with other grains is the main dish for most students except when light meals are served which is when noodles are the main part of the meal. A suggestion is to provide a variety of meals, i.e.: Western and Asian.

 

If you are still unsure what to feed the student, take them to a restaurant from their own country. Let them order for the whole family and observe what they eat and taste what they eat. Then it will be clear as to what they enjoy eating. If you are going out for a meal with your student, the cost of the meal is expected to be borne by you. Meals at weekends can be less formal. Inform your student that at weekends, unless they call you prior to their return home, you will assume that they have already eaten.

 

A note about fresh food. In many Asian countries they do not have large capacity freezers in their homes. If they do have a freezer, it can accommodate ice cubes but little else. Therefore, food cannot be stored for long periods in the home. You may on occasion have concerns from your student about food that is presented after the “use by” date. You need to explain the concept of how we store food long term.

 

In Asia, food eaten is usually fresh.  Brought and consumed on the same day. This is possible in Asia because usually a relative, a Grandmother etc, has the daily responsibility to purchase and prepare food for the family with whom they also live with. The family are all at work or school so when they come home the meal is ready to eat. 5.00pm to 6.00pm is common.

 

So when your student comes home from school at whatever time, they are hungry, because from where they have come from, there is always a meal ready for them when they arrive home. 

 

Otherwise the family eats at restaurants, which are in abundance.  The point is that in Asia, meals  are eaten when people are hungry, not at three set times each day. Also in Asia it is more common to have five to six meals per day which are all small, rather than as we have three larger meals per day. 

 

Therefore, to always ensure that a student can eat when they arrive home, buy an industrial Rice Cooker. The type that slowly cooks the rice all day. When a student comes home, they can immediately make themselves a meal. Buy the Indonesian Instant Noodles.  They are the tastiest. Take your student to an Asian supermarket. Ask them to show you what they eat. Finally, check with local Community Centres which offer Asian cooking classes. Usually they are very cheap to join.  Send your student to them or go with them or go yourself.  Make food something you have in common.

 

 

LAUNDRY

All students over 18 years are expected to wash and iron their own clothes. If an Under 18 year  student has a specific clothing requirement, i.e. school uniforms etc. then the Host does the washing and ironing, with the assistance of the student.

 

TOILETRIES

The Host is expected to supply toilet paper and soap.

  

CLEANING

The student is expected to clean their own room and to keep it tidy. This includes using a vacuum cleaner. When you use such areas as the kitchen and bathroom, leave them as you find them.

 

SMOKING

Unless the Host gives permission a student does not smoke in the house.  

 

SMOKE ALARMS

All hosts are required to have adequate smoke alarms throughout their home and to install smoke alarms in the bedroom of each student. You are required to inform your student of what the Smoke Alarm is for and that they cannot at any time cover or disable the alarm

 

FIRE SAFETY

 

Power points. 

The modern student will require power point connection for the following;

Laptop

Mobile Phone Charger

IPod Charger

Printer

Scanner, etc, etc.

 

  • Do not allow power boards greater than 2 sockets (10 amp per outlet)

  • Do consider adding extra power points in a student's room

  • Do ensure that your home has an adequate Safety Switch at the main power board.

  • Check desk lamps. As they are used often as a night light by a student, they are left on for long periods of time. If faulty they can catch fire.

  • Do not provide electric blankets

  • Do not allow fan heaters in bedrooms, only oil heaters which must not be covered  and used to dry clothes.

  • Ask your student to turn off their monitor from the wall switch at the end of the day. When the monitor is switched off from the monitor itself, this does not turn off the monitor. It simply shuts down the screen. The monitor is still running otherwise. Many fires are started due to a monitor overheating.

  • Do allow your student to cook during weekends but advise them never to leave the kitchen while they are doing so.

  • Do suggest to your student, cooking classes if they are over 18 years and will eventually move on to shared accommodation.

  • Do have a Fire Blanket in an obvious position in your kitchen

  • Do have a Fire Extinguisher in an obvious position in your kitchen

 

 

TELEPHONE  

Students pay for all local calls (50c) ,

Mobile calls MUST be paid by the student (The can ask the Host for a copy of the  Bill Statement for itemized calls)

International calls MUST be made by the student with a prepaid international card. 

 

INTERNET

All hosts are encouraged to provide internet access. This can be ADSL or Dial Up connection. ADSL can have limits for use, depending upon the connection plan the Host has. The student is required to pay for any internet use under the condition that the Internet use is for correspondence with family, friends and study purposes only. Downloading of Music, Movies, Internet Games is considered excessive use of the internet and the student will be required to pay additional charges. The average you can charge is $40.00 per month. 

 

The internet connection is what is provided, not a computer. The assumption is that each student has their own laptop.

 

If you do not have an Internet connection or you are unsure how to arrange the connection, please email srm@homestay-australia.com . For a fee, we will advise you of the costs to set up an internet connection.

 

As all Homestay Australia P/L correspondence is online, (via email) each host needs to have access to a computer and understand it's use.

Some Hosts are located some distance from a major city. Costs for the Internet can be very expensive. We suggest that in these cases the Host utilizes the internet service of the local library and creates a Hotmail account for their correspondence. 

 

Our final suggestion, is to have Telstra ADSL standard, which is $60.00 per month, unlimited download. This means that your home will never receive an extra  bill for your Internet connection. 

 

Students who are Under 18 Years and who wish to have their own separate Internet connection can be referred to the following option. 

Homestay Australia P/L understands the difficulty an International Student faces when they come to study in a foreign country and one of the most important factors is keeping in contact with family and friends as well as having the Internet for study purposes.

3G they will provide 6G for $39.00 per month prepaid if a student is under 18 years. The student will sign on with their Host Family and then transfer account into students name upon the student turning 18.!
In addition, their international phone cards give the student 100 mins / month for $10 and 4000 minutes free Skype from their 3G mobile and 25% discount on STD international call rate to all other destinations.

 

HEATING/COOLING

Hosts are expected to provide adequate heating and cooling in the bedroom.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES ($2.00 per day) can apply if a student requests a bar heater or fan in their bedroom.

 

STUDENT ROOMS

Rooms for students do not need to be lockable. Living in a homestay is a matter of trust.   

 

BATHROOMS  

Australia is a dry country. Please ensure that your showers are no longer than 5 minutes.

 

TELL A FRIEND

Know anyone else who has a spare room and may be interested in homestay ? Tell then what you’re up to. We would be very interested to hear from them. We can provide a payment of $50.00 per family whom you recommend to us and who becomes a host family for us.  

 

LANGUAGE

 

A student’s ability to read English is often stronger than their ability to speak, therefore where language difficulties occur, try writing them a message. There is also the option of the telephone interpreting service.

13 14 50

 

ARRIVALS

 

Airline and transport companies have little control over the exact arrival time of your student. We attempt to give you an approximate time, (we are usually correct with the day the student arrives); however sometimes there are major problems.

We need for you to consider the complexities, which, from time to time, can occur. Once your student has arrived, contact the coordinator who initially booked the student with you to advise them or your student’s safe arrival. A member of the host family must be home on the day of a student’s arrival.  

 

If your student is arriving on a Friday or Saturday, we suggest the following. When confirming with staff the arrival time on those days,  ask staff to confirm that a student of the same culture  will call the new student by the end of the day to introduce hi/her to their new surroundings. If there is a student from the same culture already in your home, then this is not necessary.

 

CAMPBELL'S CASH & CARRY

 

Homestay Australia P/L is able to arrange for each current homestay provider to become a member of Campbell’s Cash & Carry. This organization is a food wholesaler and provides almost any item you can think of at competitive prices.  Contact the office for a copy of the application form.

 

 

WEEKEND EMERGENCIES

 

If at the weekend you require our services please leave a message on the following number

 : 04 00 468 658

 

STUDY TOURS

July to September is the months that there are many inquiries for study tours. This means twin share accommodation I is requested. In most cases. you as the host are asked to collect your student at a central point (usually in the CBD) and take your student home with you. Homestay Australia P/L will assist with bring your student to you upon their arrival if you have valid reasons for being unable to pick them up, however, we will not on the return transfer. If you are unable to transfer the students back to the meeting point at the designated time, you are required to arrange a cab at your expense. If the student is over 18 years, then they can be unaccompanied. If they are under 18 years then they must be accompanied by you.

 

 

FOR UNDER 18 YEAR STUDENTS

 

Student’s responsibilities in homestay 

 

  • Ensure the Host is aware of your health and well being

  • Ensure that you are contactable  24/7 by either your school, your Host and your         Parents.  (If you wish to stay at a friend's home overnight  -  seek permission          from your parents first. If your parents cannot speak English, your school needs to provide a translation for them. Without their permission you are not allowed to stay at a friend’s home. If you have received their permission, provide your Host with a copy of the proof or ask them to contact your school coordinator.  Ensure your Host also knows where you are and how you can be contacted in case of an emergency.)   

  •  To be responsible for your own personal hygiene

  •   To be responsible for your own study pattern

  •   To respect the personal space of other members of their home

  •   To respect the privacy of other members of the home

  •  To ensure that you become a part of family life and participate in the day to day activities of the family.  Example : By not mainly staying in your bedroom when you are home and including yourself in daily family chores. Example : Empty the dishwasher; clearing up after meals;  by leaving the bathroom as you have found it; by minimizing time in the bathroom as a consideration for other family members; by leaving the kitchen as they have found it; by being home at the designated meal time

 

 

Host responsibilities 

 

In the homestay, the host is expected to provide the following service :

 

Three meals per day, breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days per week; a single room; furnished and laundry facilities in the homestay. 

The homestay fee also covers charges for electricity, gas, water and Internet access but not telephone calls.

 

Day to day care of by :

 

  • Providing healthy meals

  • Doing your washing and ironing

  • Ensuring that you have acceptable hygiene habits

  • Ensuring that you are coping with living in a foreign country.

  • Ensuring that you are completing your homework on time.

  • Ensuring that you are attending school on a required basis and has a clear understanding of the local transport systems.

 

Your Host can also provide you with guidelines regarding :            

  • Acceptable times to be at home after school and at weekends

  • Amount of time on the internet for leisure purposes

  • Manners

  • Arrangements for your telephone connection.

  • Smoking (if applicable)

  • Consumption of alcohol

  • Drug use 

 

    

 

DISCIPLINE FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS

 

All issues of Discipline for an Under 18 year student are the responsibility of their Guardian and their school. Please advise Homestay Australia P/L of your concerns. We will contact the school and the Guardian directly.

 

Guardian responsibilities for a Secondary School student.

 

I

  • Ensuring that a student is coping with living in a foreign country and that their mental well being is being monitored.

  • Ensuring that their student is attending school on a required basis and has a clear understanding of the local transport systems.

  • To attend parent teacher meetings as required per term.  

  • To arrange for the student's leisure and travel activities during the holiday period.  

  • To sign medical forms as required by the school.

  • To transfer their student in the event of illness, to a Medical Centre in order to receive treatment after being advised by the Host Parent.

  • To correspond with the parents of the student on a regular basis as to the welfare of their son or daughter in writing.

 

Providing guidelines to their student regarding :

 

  • Acceptable times to be at home after school and at weekends

  • Amount of time on the internet for leisure purposes

  • Manners

  • Assisting the student with the arrangement of their telephone connection.  

  • Smoking in the Home

  • Consumption of alcohol

  • Unacceptable amount of time on the internet for leisure purposes

  • Drug use

 

Role of the School for the International Student.

 

The School is responsible for the overall  welfare of the student. They are required to :

 

  • give the department a signed statement confirming that appropriate arrangements have been made for the student’s accommodation, support and general welfare during their stay in Australia  

  • notify the department in writing of any changes to the care arrangements. Additionally, students are required to obtain their education provider's approval to change these arrangements if they wish to do so after their arrival in Australia  

  • Monitor the student's studies.

  • To arrange their Banking requirements upon arrival

  • To arrange purchases of large or costly items (bikes)

  • To arrange purchase of School Books and School Uniforms

  • If required by the students parents, to control the student's finances, i.e..: weekly pocket money

  • To ensure the student complies with any visa requirements as required by the Australian Government.

  • To notify Homestay Australia P/L  of any grievance between the student and the homestay host in order for Homestay Australia to initiate Grievance Procedures. (Refer below)

  • To change their student's homestay accommodation upon request (depending on the reasons provided and in conjunction with Homestay Australia)

  • To Liaise with the Host Family on a weekly basis.

  • To arrange Medical treatment for the student when advised by the Homestay

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

 

The meeting of East and West in a homestay situation is not always successful. The Host needs to understand that a student from overseas faces many pressures while they are in Australia. Expectations of family, having to study using a foreign language, changes in diet etc, can affect any international student.

Sometimes complaints from students can seem unreasonable, however the Host needs to realize that many of the problems that occur in a homestay are based upon poor communication between the student and the host or that the experience for the student of studying in Australia is overwhelming them.

If you suspect that your student is having difficulty coping with studying in Australia, please advise our office as soon as possible.

 

STUDENTS

Student complaints can either come via the institution that they attend or directly to us.

They take three forms.

 

Urgent - depart that day or the next.

 

This is usually because of Pets. Sometimes students don’t read the information sent to them correctly, or the information

is not passed on from the Agent. They can be unaware that there is a pet in the home upon their arrival.  In these cases, if a student has an allergy, then they are moved that day or the next.

Another reason can be a change in who is residing in the homestay that we are unaware of. At the time of sending a profile, the information is accurate and we stress to a Host that it must be completely accurate. However, some Hosts may not inform us of a change of student, brought a pet, change in their relationships, etc.

For example,  a Host can accept a female student from us, but then accept a male student from another source and not inform us. (Very bad form)

 

Notice - students give two weeks notice.

 

Student has a disagreement with the host, e.g.  meals, meal times, when they can wash clothes - how often, late home, uninvited friends etc.  Usually these issues occur when the student is, in reality, ready to move to shared accommodation rather than stay in homestay. It is a form of developing independence.

 On many occasions the student has arranged through friends to move to shared accommodation before they have arrives in Australia. Their time in homestay may be only two to four weeks. In these cases, their departure is expected. Always speak to your student regularly about their future plans.

 We will always record a student’s complaint. If, for example, food is an issue for another student at the same homestay, then the Host is spoken to. Any repetition of the same issue in a Homestay will result in de listing.

 

 Repair - host and student reconcile.

 

 Always due to a breakdown in communication or a misunderstanding between the Host and a student. The issues vary from time allowed in the bathroom to the volume of the television.

In these cases we speak directly to the Host and inform them of what has been stated.

 After discussions we advise the student on the Host’s point of view and request they speak to each other that evening. The Host is always requested to put in writing to the student what the issue is to further the student’s understanding of the situation. The Host and student reconcile on a common understanding.

   

 

 

Homestay Australia  P/L