HOMESTAY RULES & CONDITIONS

 

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Australia

We hope that you enjoy your stay and achieve success in your studies. Your Host is a valuable source of information. They are there to help you while you are in Australia.

 

THE BENEFITS OF LIVING WITH A HOST FAMILY

Living with a Host Family is a rewarding experience for you. Your Host has chosen to be a Homestay because they have an understanding of different cultures. For all concerned the experience should be a rewarding one. Most problems occur due to a break down in communication so it is important that you do your best to understand your Host and for your Host to understand you. The Host aims to provide you with a caring, comfortable and healthy environment that supports your studies. It may be difficult to understand and speak to your Host but in a short time your English will improve and you will be able to communicate with them. The more often you speak to your Host the more quickly you learn. A homestay is only allowed to accept a maximum of 3  male or female students at any one time.

 

INSURANCE

Not ALL students are provided with Insurance Cover. Please check on your homestay profile to ensure that this service is being provided and paid for.

 

TRAVEL DIRECTIONS

Upon arrival, you will be given directions to your school via public transport. Your Host will ensure that you understand which is the best way to travel to your school.

Ask your Host for a copy of a timetable for your transport. Check that you can understand how to read the information.   Check that at all times you are carrying some form of identification that will state who you are, where you are staying and your Host's telephone number. Therefore in case you are lost you can show a passer-by this information and your Host can be contacted.

 

PAYMENTS / TIMES

You are required to prepay your accommodation every 4 weeks. After the first 4 weeks, Homestay Australia P/L will email you requesting your credit card details. (You do not make direct payments to your Host) This will be for the next 4 weeks of your accommodation. If you decide to leave the accommodation a period of 2 weeks notice is required. If, upon arrival you are sure that you will only be in the accommodation for 4 weeks, please advise your host.

Homestay Australia P/L does not require you to sign a Contract nor pay a Bond for your accommodation.

All questions of payment that are in dispute should be referred to a representative of Homestay Australia P/L.

  

HOLIDAY PAYMENTS

If you plan to travel around Australia or go back to your country for a period of time and you wish to keep your room, a fee of $100.00 is required to be paid. This payment is to be to Homestay Australia P/L by credit card.

 

NOTICE

You are required to give your Host 2 weeks notice prior to leaving the home. If you are under 18 years of age, you are required to reside in accommodation approved by your school. You need your school's permission to change homestay.

 

DISPUTES

If you have an issue regarding your Homestay accommodation, please be in contact with the Area Manager. 

The name of the Area Manager in your location is listed under contacts, and recorded on the homestay profile you were provided with.

 

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. 

 

MEALS 

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

Breakfast - Self Service (help yourself) : (For Example) 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) :  (For Example) 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.

LAUNDRY

All students are expected to iron their own clothes. If you are not sure how to do this ask your Host.  If you have specific clothing requirements, i.e.: school uniforms etc. then you should keep your uniform in a clean and tidy condition. If you are under 18 years your Host does your washing for you as well as your ironing. If you are over 18 years, it is your responsibility.

 

TOILETRIES

You are expected to supply your own toothpaste and shampoo.  But your Host Family will supply items such as toilet paper and soap.

  

CLEANING

If you are over 18 years, you are expected to clean your own room and to keep it tidy. If you are Under 18 years, your host will vacuum your room but it is your responsibility to keep it tidy. When you use such areas as the kitchen and bathroom, leave them as you find them.

 

SMOKING

Unless given permission do not smoke in the house. Ask your Host where you can smoke.

 

TELEPHONE  

Students pay for all local calls (40c) and all Mobile calls .Ask for your Host’s bill statement for a list of the Mobile  calls you have made. International calls MUST be made with a prepaid international card.

 

INTERNET

Not All hosts provide internet access. Check your  " Homestay Conditions File " you received when you made your application for homestay. In most cases you are required to pay extra for this service. An example of a fee is $20.00 per month.

In all circumstances,  Internet use is for Email correspondence with family, friends and study purposes only. Downloading of Music and Movies, playing Internet Games or Chat rooms are considered excessive use of the internet and the student will be required to pay additional charges. 

 

HEATING/COOLING

Hosts are expected to provide adequate heating and cooling in your bedroom. ADDITIONAL CHARGES ($2.00 per day) can apply to for use of additional heaters or fans.

 

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.

 

FIRE SAFETY

 

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

Do not leave your desk lamp on all night.

Do not use a fan heater in your bedrooms. Use an oil heater which must not be covered  and used to dry clothes.

Turn off your 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. A fire can start due to a monitor overheating.

If you are cooking during weekends, never leave the kitchen while you are doing so.

 

 

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 must 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 

 

 

GENERAL HOUSE RULES

 

Here are some simple rules for staying with an Australian family whether you are Under or Over 18 years of age..

 

Good manners in Australia are the same as anywhere. In Australia women and men are equal. Very few Australian homes have servants.

 

Knock on the door before you enter the bathroom, toilet and bedrooms. Do not enter the bedrooms of other members of the Host Family nor other student‘s rooms.  Always treat your Host family the way you would like to be treated.

 

Do not spend too long in the shower. When finished in the bathroom or another room always clean up after yourself.

 

If you are ever cold in your Homestay at night tell your Host. They will provide you with more blankets or an electric blanket.

 

If you are going to be home late or late for dinner tell your host.

 

Tell your Host if you wish to bring a friend home and introduce them to your Host. If they wish to join you for a meal then ask your Host

 

Always ask your Host if you wish a friend to stay at your place and always tell your host if you are staying at a friend's home overnight. Tell your Host where you are and how you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

 

Enjoy your stay in Australia and every success with your studies.

 

HOMESTAY AUSTRALIA P/L