Carer Responsibilities
What are the Responsibilities of a Carer?
- Attend Enrolment day/interview with the student to assist them with their enrolment.
- Attend school meetings such as parent/teacher interviews, subject selection meetings and other school meetings deemed necessary by the principal on behalf of the parents.
- Ensure the student has regular and punctual school attendance. Student visa regulations require a minimum of 80% attendance and failure to meet attendance requirements can lead to the cancellation of the student visa.
- Notify the school coordinator, the International Students Centre, and Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) of any changes in address or living arrangements, in writing within 7 days. The carer must sign the notification and provide full details of the new arrangements. If the student is under 18 and attending a Department of Education school, permission must be sought from the International Student Centre prior to the move.
- Contact the parents and school coordinator in case of an accident, serious illness or medical emergency.
- Assist the student to seek necessary medical attention and obtain proper medical certificates in case of absence. Medical certificates obtained must show a provider number.
- Inform the parents promptly in the event of any problems, discuss solutions with parents and act promptly on their advice.
- Telephone or write to the school coordinator requesting leave for the student for medical, dental or any other appointments, specifying the dates and times of their absence.
- Liaise with the school coordinator concerning behaviour, conduct or any issues that may affect the student’s progress.
- Assist the student to understand school and visa requirements and abide by them.
- Assist the student with any cultural problems or difficulties in settling in to life in Australia.
- Ensure that the student behaves acceptably for a young person under 18 in Australia, is home on weekday evenings by an agreed and reasonable time and later on weekends.
- Ensure that the student informs them of where the student will be when away from the home and what time the student expects to be home.
- There should always be a responsible adult at home during the night.
- The family should provide meals for the student and treat the student as one of the family.
- It is not considered appropriate for a student under 18 years to live with a single male.
Testimonials
"Oz Homestays has been a partner of Western Sydney University The College since 2003 and has consistently provided fantastic homestay experiences for our international students. Students always favourably comment on the friendliness, food and fun they experience in Oz homestay families, and we appreciate the prompt response and attention to detail which Oz Homestay provides. We would have no hesitation in recommending Oz Homestay to international students coming to Australia."
Fiona Webster,
Education Coordinator - Western Sydney University The College