Standard of Homestay Requirements

Homestay Placements

The Required Standards set by NSW Department of Education and Communities (DEC International) for student accommodation are as follows:

        • The home must be clean and have appropriate furnishings suitable for students up to and including the age of 18 years;
        • The Homestay Hosts / carers must reside at the Homestay Premises;
        • Each student is to have as a minimum their own room, bed, desk or if a shared room no more than 2 (two) persons per room (same sex) each of whom must have separate bed and desk;
        • Students are not to share rooms with host family members and sharing arrangements will only be provided if the parents of the student(s) so request;
        • Rooms assigned to students are solely for the student’s use and not for the use of other family members that requires regular access such as storage;
        • There are to be no more than 3 (three) overseas students residing in the home;
        • Students are to be given a key to the home or arrangements made so that the student can gain access to the home at any time;
        • There must be adequate lighting for study purposes;
        • There must be heating in winter and some means of cooling in summer;
        • There must be access to bathroom, with reasonable time allowed for showers (10 minutes);
        • There must be access to kitchen and laundry facilities and use of shared living areas of home;
        • The Homestay Host is to provide two meals during week days and thee meals on weekends.  Food should be available for high school students to make themselves a light lunch (a sandwich and piece of fruit) and an after school snack. In providing meals, the Homestay Host must be aware of and take account of cultural differences and dietary needs;
        • House rules are to be discussed and explained to the student by the host parents, (including but not limited to friends visiting, use of phone and incoming calls, cleaning of room or other household tasks, meal times and rules for behaviour such as going out and times for arriving home, manners and courtesy);
        • Use of telephone and/or computer facilities is to be at students own expense. However charges to the student should only cover the actual cost of phone or internet usage. Use of Homestay internet will be restricted including restrictions on downloads. Internet access is not permitted between 11pm and 6am.
        • Recognising the importance of child protection, Hosts must ensure that all adult individuals residing at any homestay premises will have passed a Working With Children Check.
        • Homestays are visited and inspected by Oz Homestay regularly to ensure that standards are being met.
        • Homestay hosts take on the carer role for students under 18 years of age. Homestay hosts take on a parental role in communication between the student, parents, schools, the Department and Oz Homestay. Homestay hosts provide care and support for students and assist students to settle into life and study in school.