Welcome to our spring edition of the Oz Homestay newsletter.

Homestay Insurance

As times are changing, so do the requirements of our institutions and whilst we have been asking for insurance policy numbers for host families when you register, we are now required to receive a copy of your Certificate of Currency, for the amount of $20 million cover. This Certificate of Currency must state that the public liability insurance covers students living with you. It would be appreciated if you could speak to your insurance company to have this Certificate available to send to us. We will require this every 12 months and unfortunately if this is not provided, we won’t be able to place students with you.

If your insurance company cannot provide this cover, then we suggest you contact Homestay Insurance Plus, which is underwritten by Chartis Australia Insurance Limited. The annual premium for this is $110.

This insurance can be purchased directly on their website by following this link http://www.homestayhostinsuranceplus.com. You will need to have our Homestay Provider Number handy – which is NSW08. We will automatically be sent notification that you have purchased insurance. You can send your own copy of this to any other homestay companies you are registered with as proof of adequate homestay insurance.

If you already have a Certificate of Currency from this company, please send it through to us as this is acceptable. We will be contacting you on yearly basis for a renewed Certificate of Currency.

Oz Homestay does not receive any financial benefit from our hosts purchasing this insurance.

Host Family Profiles

We would like to remind you to regularly update your family profiles when applicable to let us know of any changes to your family make-up, children leaving home, children arriving home, departed pets or new pets. You should have received your special user name and password when you registered and if you can’t remember this, drop us a line and we can send these details to you again. Alternatively send us an email with the changes to your family make-up and we can make the amendments.

Family Photos

We have requested our hosts to provide a digital family photo that we can upload onto your profile – students do enjoy receiving these photos with your details. Send the photo through to us by email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

2012 Fees and Payment Information

• As from January 2012, the weekly homestay fee will be $265.

• For students under the agent of 18, where guardianship is required, the weekly guardianship fee will remain $35.

• Please note these new fees do not apply to Study Abroad, Regional or Study Tour students.

• Our service fee of $20 per week is ongoing for all bookings through Oz Homestay regardless of age.

Always check the booking letter if you unsure about the payment you will be receiving.

New Host Families Wanted

We are always on the quest to have new families register as homestay hosts with us and 2012 is looking to be a very positive year, with some new opportunities on the horizon. Therefore we are in need of new host families. If you have relatives, neighbours, friends who may be interested in hosting students, particularly in the regions below, by all means ask them to register with us so that we can carry out the necessary checks. Train access very beneficial.

Host families are always required in the following regions:

• Inner West Train Line (City to Chester Hill) – Particularly close to the city and Burwood, Strathfield, Ashfield areas.

• North Shore and Western Train Line (Doonside to Hornsby)

• Northern Train Line

• Cumberland Train Line (Seven Hills to Glenfield)

• Southern Train Line (City to Glenfield)

• East Hills Train Line (City to East Hills)

• Illawarra Train Line (City to Cronulla)

• Drummoyne, Hunters Hill, Rozelle

• Narremburn, Cammeray, Neutral Bay, Crows Nest

• Newcastle and Wollongong Regions

Private Bathroom Facilities

Oz Homestay is currently looking for families that specifically offer executive style accommodation, with either private ensuite facilities or 100% sole use of bathroom facilities available to students. We are receiving special requests for these amenities to be provided and additional payments will be made for these if they are especially requested. Additional conditions will apply to these placements and can be discussed with you if you contact us. Please send email to us in this regard, particularly for regions within 30 minutes travel time to CBD.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY INFORMATION

Oz Homestay Holiday Closures

Oz Homestay will be closed from 24th December until 3rd January. We will not be checking emails or phone messages during this time, however in case of emergency, you can ring our emergency number on 0421 556 374. Please note this number is for genuine emergencies only.

Institutional Holiday Closures

We recommend that you check the school holiday closure dates with your student and the school. However, the following information is provided as a guide only.

Public High Schools and Intensive English Centres: The public high schools and Intensive English Centres are closed over the usual school holiday period.

TAFE Colleges: Tafe Colleges only close for a 2 week period over the Christmas period. Please check with your student.

Private English Colleges: Usually only close just for the public holidays over this period. However, sometimes students can be given permission to take holidays. If your student is under 18, please ensure that they have permission if they plan to go home for a holiday.

Students Under 18

Please remember that these students cannot stay overnight without their guardian. If the student is not returning to their country over the holiday period, they cannot travel without the guardian. They should not be making travel arrangements within Australia before first contacting either us or their institution. Students may be given special permission to travel or stay with a natural parent, but this permission must be sought in advance from the school or International Student Centre (ISC).

If your student(s) are returning home, we would like a copy of their flight itinerary. If they want to return home earlier than end of term, or stay longer than the set holiday period, they need formal permission from their principal. We suggest you contact the school yourself to make sure they have this permission. Students in year 10 are sometimes allowed to depart early, depending on the school they are attending. If they do not have permission, they will be marked absent for any classes missed and this could affect their visa. Students must maintain a minimum of 80% attendance at all times. If in doubt, contact us.

Holiday Rate:

If the student is going home for the holidays and wishes to keep their belongings in the room and return to the room, they must pay half of the homestay only rate. This is $130 per week. Guardianship does not apply whilst student is out of the country.

If you are going on holidays, and the student is not going with you, please ensure that you have contacted us to make approved arrangements for their temporary accommodation. They cannot go stay with friends or relatives without approval (this means police checks etc). The more notice you can give us to organize the temporary accommodation the better.