Q. What is Homestay?
A. Homestay involves the provision of
accommodation, meals and a caring, safe, nurturing environment to International
students studying in
Q. What is expected of me?
A. As a Host you need to provide the
student with their own furnished bedroom, access to laundry facilities and a
quiet area to study. Homestay also needs to provide breakfasts (these can be on
a “prepare yourself” basis) a substantial cooked dinner (meat and vegetables)
and lunch (prepare yourself basis) on weekends.
Weekday lunches are occasionally required but this is by prior
arrangement and extra remuneration is provided. Hosts must be prepared to spend
time talking to their students particularly over the dinner table, this is
especially important to students learning English. A Host is expected to
familiarize their student with the local area and the available public
transport. The student is also encouraged to share with the host information
about their home country and culture. This interaction is what makes homestay
ideal for students and hosts looking for a unique cultural experience.
Q. What am I expected to
supply?
·
A private,
furnished room with a window, a bed, wardrobe, drawers and bedside light
·
A desk in the
bedroom or a quiet area in the home for study
·
Adequate
heating and cooling
·
Utilities (gas
and electricity)
·
Meals- A substantial dinner, breakfasts and lunch on
weekends
·
Communal
sundries such as toilet paper and soap and basic items such as light
bulbs.
·
Linen and
towels
·
Laundry access
·
Television
access
·
A safe,
friendly, caring environment
Q. What am I not expected to
supply?
·
Telephone- Students are encouraged to have mobile phones and they can get
International Dialling cards from most Schools and Newsagents
·
Weekday lunches unless by prior or private arrangement
·
Personal toiletries
Q. What should I expect from
students I am hosting?
Students are expected to respect the family
they are staying with and abide by your house rules. It is a good idea to let them to let them
know your meal times, security procedures, washing schedule etc. when they
first arrive. Just as you are expected
to treat students as part of the family, students are expected to act as a
member of the family and keep their room tidy and help around the house just as
any family member would. It is hoped that students will join in with family
activities, have dinner with their Hosts and not lock themselves away in their
rooms. This can’t be enforced, only
encouraged. Students are expected to let you know if they won’t be home for
dinner or will be staying out overnight.
They are not allowed to bring friends home without your permission. This
applies to students over 18 years.
Q. Will it cost me anything?
Talkabout Tours
never charges the Host for anything whatsoever
Q. How much do I get
paid?
You will receive $220/wk for students over
18yrs of age and $240/wk for students under 18yrs. If
weekday lunches are included you will receive a further $30/wk. Talkabout Tours retains $5/wk of this while
we are paying you (usually for the first 4-5wks) to cover Administration costs. After the initial period, if both Host and
student are happy to continue living together, students are expected to pay
directly, fortnightly, in advance.
Please issue students a receipt for money collected and have them sign
your receipt book.
Q. Will
hosting a student affect my income?
Up to two
Homestay students is tax–free (non-assessable). For more information please go to this
website: ATO
Homestay
Q. How do I get paid?
While you are
being paid by Talkabout Tours you will receive weekly instalments into your bank
account in advance.
Q. How long do students stay?
Students can ask
for any length of time from 1 week to 3 years but usually it is just 4 or 5
weeks while they see how things go. They
commonly ask to stay on after the requested time- this is by mutual
consent. Either party can terminate the
Homestay arrangement by giving 2 weeks notice at any time. The under 18 year
old student will usually request much longer Hosting and cannot change Homestay
without prior consent from Talkabout Tours.
Please treat your
students as you would expect a family overseas to treat your children. Students over 18 years old are adults and are
able to come and go as they please but it is important you let them know that
Perth is not necessarily safe and to take precautions when out at night. For under 18’s the Duty of Care is much
greater and this will be explained to you should you wish to host younger
students.
Q. What kind of clearances do
I need?
Every permanent
member of the household who is over 18 years old will require a Police
Clearance. If you wish to host under 18yrs students, every permanent member of the
household over 18yrs will also require a Working with Children check. Both are available from any Post Office. Talkabout Tours can supply you with Working
with Children applications and the amount payable will be only $10 p/p (usually
$50)
Q. What support do I get from
Talkabout Tours?
Talkabout Tours
have been providing Homestay accommodation for 10 years now and so have a great
deal of experience and knowledge when it comes to hosting students and are
readily available to answer any questions you may have. Our office hours are 9-5.30 weekdays, but we
also have an after hours emergency number. If our phones are busy, and they
often are, leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Alternatively, send us an email. If you are having problems with your student,
we like to know as soon as possible to nip any potential difficulties in the
bud. If you would like your student to
leave your home early, please give them 2 weeks notice and let us know. If the problem is serious we will move them
sooner.
Q. Do I need to have internet
and is it OK to have students pay for its use?
You don’t need to
have the internet but it certainly gives you a greater chance of hosting
students as the majority of students ask for homes with access to the
internet. Students do have other options
though: There are companies that will rent wireless modems on a monthly basis
and libraries supply free internet as do most schools. You are entitled to request money from
students for this service if you wish. $5-$10/wk is standard for reasonable
use. Please let us know on your
application so that we can inform students before arrival. Make sure that your
internet plan is capped so you don’t receive any unwelcome bills.
Q. How far from away from the
school can I live?
We provide the
Homestay accommodation for a great many schools throughout the
Q. How do my students get to
School?
Student either
walk, (the lucky ones), or need to rely on public transport. It is hoped that a friend or member of the
Host family will be able to go to take the student, by public transport, to the
school on or before their first day.
Please give your students written directions, your address and your
phone number before they leave the home.
Q. What does the
application process involve?
Once we receive your online application we will call to set up a time to
meet with you in your home to discuss your application, student preferences,
let you know our expectations and answer any questions you might have about the
Homestay program. Generally this takes
about 1 hour. Please let us know if you
require Police Clearance and Working with Children applications. Please have a copy of your police clearances
and your bank details handy when we visit. Once you are on the books we will
contact you by phone or email when we feel we have a suitable student. We will tell you about the student, their
arrival and departure details and you can decide if you’re able to host them.
If you decide “yes” we will send are hard copy through the mail with their
details and their school details.
Q. What should I do
before the student arrives?
Prepare the student’s room with fresh
sheets and towels and make sure the room is properly aired. If it is hot,
provide a fan. If it is cold make sure there is enough bedding and supply
a heater if necessary. Purchase enough food for the first day or so.
In addition you can choose to familiarise
yourself with the customs and culture of the country where the student is
coming from so you can understand your student a little better from the
beginning of their stay with you.
Q. What should I do
on the day that the student arrives?
Be available to greet your student and
organise to be home for the day or have a family member stay with the
student. Don’t greet the student, tell them to ‘help themselves’ and go
to work. Students are young people, often away from home for the first
time. They are nervous and have travelled for many hours. Even if
they sleep they should not be left alone. Treat them as you would like
your own family to be treated if they were travelling overseas. Ask if they
would like to contact their parents by telephone to advise them that they have
arrived safely. Offer them a drink and biscuit; show them their room and
the bathroom facilities. Ask your student if they would like to take a
shower and make them welcome generally. Later in the day take the
opportunity to orientate the student to your home, explain mealtimes and
introduce them to other family members.
Q. What should I do
prior to the first day of School?
Your student will need to know how to get to and from School. Generally this means going with them on or
before their first day. Please leave
them with written instructions and your phone number should they get lost.
Q. What should I do
in the first week that the student stays with me?
Confirm with the student that they are
happy and can use the bus or train to their School, local shopping centre and
This is your choice. It can be formal,. Mr or Ms or casual, your given name or
simply Mum and Dad.
Q. My student says
they have no dirty washing but they have been here for a week.
You may have offered to do all your
student’s washing but they prefer to do their own. Discuss this
with your student, remembering that female students may not want their
underwear on public display. Explain current water restrictions.
Q. My student is
using too much water. Is it ok for me to ask them not to do this?
Yes, explain the current water restrictions
in your area. Explain that it is not your decision but that of the local
council.
Q. I told my
student to ‘help themselves’ to food but when I
arrived home my student had eaten all the treats in the larder.
It is a good idea to keep a container with
‘snacks’ written on it so the student knows exactly what they can take.
There can be two containers, one in the larder and one in the fridge.
Q. I told my
student to ‘help themselves’ because I was going out but when I arrived home
they had not eaten.
Many students, especially when they are new
to your household, will not do anything that they might get wrong.
Consequently they will not take food or use equipment or help with washing up
simply because they do not have the skill.
Q. My student said
on the Profile that they do not smoke, but I can smell it.
Students do not always admit to smoking
because they know that in
Q. My student goes
drinking with their friends and comes home intoxicated.
If your student is over 18 and is well
behaved then it should not be a problem. However, if they are causing
problems then speak with Talkabout Tours. If they are under 18 alcohol is
not permitted. If you are a household where alcohol is not acceptable please
let us know prior to student placement with you.
Q. My student does
not want to help with the washing up after the evening meal.
It is possible that your student may not
know how to wash up. It may be better to give them a different job to do,
clearing the table or laying the table prior to the meal for instance.
Q. My student has
questioned the ‘use by date’ on packaged and frozen food.
If you buy in bulk and freeze or you buy
‘specials’ always check the label is current and explain to students that this
is common practice in Australia. It is not advisable to give your student
unfrozen food passed the ‘used by’ date.
Q. If I take my
student out do I have to pay for them?
If you want to take your student out,
explain where you are going and how much it will cost. Your student then
has the opportunity to decide whether or not to go with you. Do not
expect your student to pay for other members of the family. Many hosts are
happy to include Under 18’s as part of the cost of family outings.
Q. Is it ok for me
to go in to my student’s room when they are not there.
Privacy is important. The student’s
room should be private to them during their stay with you. If you plan to
clean the room then let the student know when you will do this.
Q. I think there is
some money missing from my home (and/or items) and I think my student may be
responsible.
Contact Talkabout Tours in the first
instance. It is better that you do not confront the student yourself.
Q. I let my student
use my computer but now they are using it all evening and I want to use it
myself.
Communicate with your student about
internet usage and set up a timetable. This applies to telephones too.
Q. My student is up
nearly all night and disturbing the rest of the household.
Many students do this. Students from
some countries sleep when they arrive home from school and speak to their
friends on their mobiles during the night. Explain to your Student that
they must be quiet and not disturb other people. If the behaviour continues
you may have to give them a time (say 9pm) when they must not make further
calls.
Q. My student leaves
the light on all night which wastes electricity.
Many students do this because they are
scared. It is best to buy a low wattage bulb or give them a night light.
Q. My student does
not get in to bed between the sheets.
When you orientate your student to your
home explain that this is how you sleep in
Q. My student says he/she
is cold at night.
Check that they have enough bed linen but
also check that they are getting in to bed under
the covers (see above)
Q. My student gets
home before me each day and I cannot give them access because of our security
system.
This is a difficult situation but one that
has to be negotiated. You cannot expect a student to wait outside your
home indefinitely.
Q. What should you
do if the student's parents wish to stay?
This is your own decision. Be
prepared for the fact that the parents may not speak any English. It is
ok to say ‘no’ and ask that they stay in a motel nearby. You can then
make arrangements to meet them or invite them to your home. If you agree
to them staying and you plan to charge them make it clear to the student how
much this will be and what it will cover. Make the family welcome and ask
your student to translate for you.
Q. My student asked
if they may bring a girl/boy friend home to stay the night. I don’t want
my student sleeping with a girl/boy friend in my home.
It is your home. Explain to your
student that this is not acceptable in your home. However if your student
has a friend and they would like to invite this friend to stay overnight i.e.
at the weekend, then this should be arranged to suit all parties. Check
with your student that their friend has let their Homestay host know. If in
doubt please contact Talkabout Tours for support.
Q. My student does
not come home for several days. They tell me they have a boy/girl friend but
their parents want them to stay in homestay.
If this concerns you, please notify Talkabout
Tours
Q. What should you
do when a student informs you they are leaving?
This normally requires 2 weeks notice
unless they are leaving on the allocated departure date. Ask them for their forwarding address so you
can send on any mail that arrives for them. Ask them how they will get to
their new accommodation and assist them if they need help. This does not
mean that you have to transport them but they may need assistance in calling a
taxi or getting to the train or bus. There is no need to feel that they
do not like you anymore or that you have done something wrong. Students
are young people wanting to experience different situations. You can rest
assured that when students move on it is because you have given them the
confidence to do so.