Who can host?

Anyone who can speak clear, correct English (you do not need to be a native English speaker) and who is willing to share their daily life with a person from overseas is welcome to host. It doesn't matter about your sexual orientation, or whether you are a family of 1 or a family of 6. As long as the Homestay has their own bedroom anyone can become a host.

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What checks do I need to undergo?

All organisations require their Hosts to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and/or Police Check. These will need to be obtained before you start hosting.

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I live pretty far from the city. Is there a limit on how far a Host Family can live?

In general homestay organisations prefer that their Hosts live within a 60-minute commute time (including walking time) to the CBD. There are however a few companies that also have regional homestay options. Please see the Hosting Companies Comparison page for more details.

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Besides a room what else do I need to provide?

The most popular package for language school students is the provision of breakfast and dinner each day and three meals on the weekends or public holidays. For those hosting high school students, you may also need to pack them a lunch.

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How much English will the student be able to speak?

A rule of thumb is that high school students will only be able to speak enough to get by, although there are always exceptions. Language students can generally hold basic conversations. Remember to be patient and if possible find out which country they are from and download a translator app onto your phone.

 

​I am worried my Homestay won't eat the meals I prepare. Should I prepare something different for them?

There is no need to arrange special meals for your Homestay unless they have special dietary restrictions, which you should be informed of before their arrival. ​

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What should I do if I have a problem with my Homestay?

If you are hosting through a company, then you should always contact them in the first instance. If you are not having any luck with them, or if you are hosting privately, then you are welcome to call Great Homestays WA and we will do our best to help you.

 

​What should I do if I have an emergency and the Homestay can no longer stay in my home?

If you are hosting through an agency you will need to discuss the situation with them. They will most likely find alternative accommodation. If you are hosting privately, our emergency accommodation service may be a safe and reliable option for you. Please feel free to contact us regarding this service.

※ Please bear in mind that if you have been given an advanced gratitude payment to cover the Homestay's visit, you may need to repay some or all of this.

 

Where do the students come from? Can I choose which nationality I want to host?

Students come from all over the world to study English. It is possible to specify which country you would like to host however, this may reduce the number of Homestay students you can host. 

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We are a house of only girls. Can we choose which gender we want to host?

You most certainly can. You can also choose which age bracket you would most prefer.

 

​The Homestay isn’t doing what I asked, what should I do?

This is a tricky one. When they first arrive, it is best to go through the house rules with them. If they are a high school student, it is important to remember that because of their culture, they may be used to having most things done for them. Language school students should be more independent, but this is not always the case. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t ask them to do anything. Just be steadfast in making sure that they understand what you want. We have a free helpful information booklet in our online store that may be very useful in this situation. We are always here to help.​

 

Not everyone in our house is excited about becoming a host family. What should I do?

You should not host if everyone in your family is not on board. Many times, it stems from the unknown of hosting, or from a previous bad experience. Sometimes all it takes is to run through any concerns with a third party, and we are here to help you with that.​

 

What should I do if my Homestay falls ill?

All company-placed homestays are required to have insurance. If hosting through a company, they will tell you what procedure to take. If hosting privately, check to see if the homestay has insurance and/or the money to pay for a doctor’s visit. Taking them to your local GP or an emergency care clinic is usually your best option for being seen quickly.

※ Hospital emergency rooms have been known to cause anxiety in some homestay students, and are best avoided.​

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What should my Homestay wear if they are in school?

A high school student will usually be required to wear their regular school uniform unless it is a special outing or free dress. Language school students can wear everyday wear.​

 

Is it alright to leave my Homestay at home by themselves, or with my children?

The general rule of thumb is no for a high school student and possibly for a language exchange student. In Australia, it is normal for many families to leave their high school students at home when they go out. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case with homestay students, unless it is for a brief period, and there are older kids there to watch them. Language school students are considered adults and so can be left on their own. Most companies ask that you take your Homestays with you when you go out, as this helps immerse them in everyday life.​

 

We are having a lot of trouble communicating, what should I do?

Remember to speak slowly and clearly. Write down what you need to say and if necessary, change the wording to a more simplified form. Downloading a dictionary app on your phone is also recommended. If this still does not work, there are plenty of translation apps that can help you.​

 

They are on their device all the time, what should I do?

Trying to learn a new language and accustom oneself to a new lifestyle can be quite exhausting for some. Zoning out on their devices is a way for them to mentally and physically relax. If you are concerned about their behaviour you could ask them to help you with things around the house or play a board game or two.

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My homestay student is a private student and not through a company. Is anything different?

In general, most questions will be covered above. We do suggest that you write up a contract for you both to sign. It is also advisable to ask for an extra week's advance in rent just to cover any unforeseen expenses.

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Do I need homestay insurance?

Most organisations will have automatic insurance to cover both the Host and the Homestay should something happen. You can always ask. If you are hosting privately it is a good idea to take out insurance. AXA is one company used by Host organisations. 

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Do I pay taxes on my host payments?

It is possible to have up to 2 guests without needing to declare your host family payment for tax purposes. If you are unsure we suggest you speak to an accountant.

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What if my guest is a smoker?

You should be able to specify whether you would like a smoker or not. If you don't mind hosting a smoker but prefer that they smoke outside or only in a designated area, make sure to make this very clear to them when they first arrive.