FAQs for Students

As a homestay experience, you will be provided your own fully furnished room with meals (if required) and be treated as a valued member of the family, treated with respect and support. You will learn about the local customs and culture and learn how to communicate in English.

We will find a host that will be no more than 1hour travel time by public transport to your nominated school.

You may take things such as food, towels or tissues without asking.

Indeed, we cater to school groups, individual students, both short and long term stay, university students and working holiday homestay. We have a regulated guardianship service for students under 18.

By filling out our application form. We will then contact you to discuss, payment, your preferences and match the perfect host for you.

We provide 24/7 support for our hosts and students and are there for any emergency. We can provide interpreter services, and can contact student’s families if required.

You can be expected to be welcomed as a new family member. Your host family will want to share their lives with you. It’s a good idea to take notes, however your host will want you to feel relaxed with no pressure as you integrate into the new culture.

Some host families may not have internet access. You may be required to arrange internet and phone access at your own expense. You may purchase a calling card for making calls overseas.
Some host families that provide internet access may charge a small fee for internet use at home and this is all negotiated during the application process.

It’s wise to ask permission if you can bring alcohol into the house. You will need to be over 18 years old to purchase alcohol in Australia.

Be helpful when it comes to housework. As a family member we encourage you to integrate into your new family’s routines and this involves house chores.

If you smoke, we will find a smoker friendly house to cater for your habit. You are however not permitted to smoke in your bedroom at any time and it is courteous to smoke outdoors.

Other people’s bedrooms are considered private and should not be entered without permission or knocking first.

For students under 18 years of age, Homestay Access does perform background checks. In Australia when you are 18 you are considered an adult and therefore background checks on hosts are not essential.

Your host may want to be called mum and dad. You can ask what they would like to be called.

Permission will be needed, but it’s common to only bring close and trustworthy friends to your home and for good reason. Some hosts prefer you to meet friends outside of the hose.

You can youtube how to iron. Your host will be happy to teach you if you ask.

5 minute showers are quite acceptable. Your host will let you know if baths are permitted if they have a bath, and it may also be seasonal such is winter baths only.

This will strictly depend on your host. It’s a great idea to ask and clarify.

Wish them Happy Birthday when you first see them on the day.

Yes, indeed we do. We follow a strict guide of minimum standards our hosts must fulfil for our students’ welfare.

This will depend on the household. Some may ask for your clothes to be put in a basket in your room or in the laundry or bathroom. Some hosts may ask you to wash your own clothes after teaching you how to work the washing machine and/or dryer.

Yes. Ensure you lock the door when you leave the house and your window is locked. Do not put the address on the house key.

10pm is considered a polite curfew. If your native country has a later timezone for calling family, ask permission to make late night calls and minimise your noise levels.

Contact us to resolve this issue

Contact your host immediately and contact HSA – Homestay Access.