Homestay

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Sharing life with an Aussie family doing Aussie things in an Aussie homestay is a great way to experience the fantastic Australian lifestyle in the school community.

What a terrific opportunity to learn and practise English with day-to-day conversations with a supportive homestay family, as well as exploring the neighbourhood and making new friends.

Homestay families come in all shapes and sizes, and students are matched to the most compatible family that will provide a caring and safe home but could also have similar hobbies/skills for their student. Imagine always wanting to surf and staying with a family who surf before breakfast every day.

What is on offer at a homestay?

Of course, there is the safe, welcoming and friendly homestay family, but they also provide 3 meals a day, a private bedroom to sleep and study, as well as assistance to travel on public transport for school or other activities.

A staff member from the confirmed school will be waiting at the Queensland arrival airport and drive the student for free to the homestay.

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'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).

Accommodation options

Student accommodation options are based on the school year the student will be entering.

Accommodation type	Primary school (Prep and Years 1 to 6)	Junior secondary school (Years 7 to 10)	Senior secondary school (Years 11 and 12)
Homestay	No	Yes	Yes
Parent-nominated carer	No	Yes	Yes
Immigration-approved relative	Yes	Yes	Yes
Parent	Yes	Yes	Yes

Enquiries

Email: EQInternational@qed.qld.gov.au
Telephone (within Australia): 1800 316 540
Telephone (outside Australia): +61 7 3513 5301

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