QUT Homestay - Further information

Staying with an Australian family is a great opportunity to practice your English and learn about Australian culture. You'll have your own room, and your host family will provide most of your meals.

If you're under 18 years of age, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) requires you to either:

• be placed in a QUT approved homestay until you turn 18
• live with a suitable relative who is eligible to be nominated as a carer until you turn 18.

DHA requirements for students under 18 years of age

If you're staying in a homestay, you must also register with the under 18 supervision program.

Apply for the under 18 supervision program

How much will it cost?

The homestay placement fee is $250.00 (non-refundable).

Homestay options

There are three homestay options:

• Option one
  • Two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) Monday - Friday, and three meals a day on weekends
  • $250 per week
    
    
• Option two
  • Three meals a day
  • $270 per week
    
    
• Option three (Under 18 students)
  • Three meals a day
  • $280 per week (the extra $10 includes duty of care required by homestay hosts)

What's included?

The cost of your homestay includes:

• food
• a furnished bedroom (bed, wardrobe, desk, chair) and access to all shared areas of the home
• utilities, including water, electricity and gas.

There are additional costs for:

• Halal or vegetarian food: $30 per week
• Phone and internet: $5-$10 per week. You will be responsible for your own phone and internet bills. The cost of internet access at your homestay will be advised by your homestay host. Remember that you'll also have access to the internet and computers on campus.

How long can I stay for?

If you're staying with a homestay family, you must:

• stay for at least 4 weeks
• not arrive more than 7 days before the commencement of your course
• pay the first 4 weeks when you arrive at your homestay
• negotiate with your homestay if you'd like to extend your stay
• pay the homestay fee one week in advance
• give at least one week's notice if you want to leave the homestay.

Living in a homestay

It is important that you develop a good relationship with your host family.

While you're living in a homestay, you are expected to behave appropriately and:

• be financially independent
• respect any household rules
• keep your room tidy and do your own laundry
• participate in family activities
• communicate with your host family.

Your host family is there to help you adjust to your new environment and culture, and it's important to communicate with them as much as possible. If you need to, carry a dictionary with you. Communication is the key to a successful homestay, so please talk to your family as much as possible.

Eating dinner with your host family is a great way to get to know the family better and to talk about your experiences. Interacting with your family and seeing how they act will help you learn about Australian behaviour and customs.

If you experience any problems with your homestay, you should talk to the homestay coordinator or International Student Services. Your homestay coordinator will help you resolve your difficulties and make sure you are safe and happy.

Please be aware that it is a DHA visa condition that you must attend at least 80 per cent of your class hours even if you are sick. It is important that you get a doctor's certificate if you are away from university because of illness.

How do I apply?

To apply to live in a homestay, you must read and accept all the terms and conditions of the homestay arrangement.

Apply for a homestay