Living with an Australian host family is a great way to experience Australia’s fantastic lifestyle close to your school community. By living in a safe, caring and supportive home environment you can immerse yourself in your studies, practise your English skills and develop lasting friendships with your homestay family.
What is provided?
In addition to a safe, welcoming and friendly home, your homestay host will provide you with:
- three nutritious meals a day, seven days a week
- a private bedroom with a bed, storage space and a desk for study
- assistance to access transport to and from school and to school activities.
When you arrive in Queensland for the first time (to commence your study program) a representative from your school will meet you at the airport and arrange transport to your homestay accommodation or school, free of charge.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the family who have treated me like one of their own – they have been beside me, supported me, brought me great joy during my stay. I am honestly, truly, deeply thankful”.
Nhi from Vietnam – Mountain Creek State High School
"About my homestay experience….I think they are good. I'm lucky I've got a homestay (that likes) sport; it's much better than a homestay just watching TV!"
Junjie from China –
North Lakes SC / Mitchelton SHS
“Living with the homestay family has been one of my fondest experiences, not just in the aspect of living and studying, but also in the aspect of cultural immersion. This experience not only enables me to understand and navigate Australian culture as an international student, but also as a part of a family.
I am still in contact with them now. From time to time we email each other. I am very lucky that I chose Queensland as the start of my journey, and I believe that my high school life in Brisbane will always be a special and unforgettable memory that stays in my heart forever.”
Nicole from China – Indooroopilly SHS / Undergraduate student at the University of Sydney
Quality and monitoring
The accommodation, care and welfare of international students are primary priorities for EQI and our schools. Homestay families are carefully selected by the school homestay/international student coordinator, and screened via a police identity and criminal history check.
Ongoing support
EQI schools are responsible for recruiting homestay families, managing the homestay program and the ongoing monitoring of homestay arrangements.
When you request homestay accommodation your school will take care to match you to a host family that is compatible with your needs, based on the information you supply in your application. The school’s homestay or international coordinator is available to assist you should you have any problems settling in to your homestay placement.
All international students have 24 hour emergency assistance and multi-lingual support available. On arrival at school, students will be given relevant emergency contact details for urgent student welfare issues.
EQI and our schools support the Australian Government Schools International homestay standards.
Homestay costs
Please visit the EQI website for details of the current fees for EQI homestay.
Live with a parent or close relative
You can live with a parent or a close relative during your enrolment, if they'll also be living in Queensland. With this option, your parent or close relative has responsibility for your accommodation and welfare arrangements instead of the EQI.
The relative must be approved by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and must:
-
be over 21 years of age
-
be defined as a relative by the Department of Home Affairs (for example - brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent).
Enquiries
Email: EQInternational@qed.qld.gov.au
Telephone (within Australia): 1800 316 540
Telephone (outside Australia): +61 7 3513 5301