Homestay Information for Potential Host Families
Being a homestay host provides great insights into other cultures and can be a very rewarding cultural exchange experience. It is more than simply renting out a room in your house.
Life-long friendships are often established throughout the process. Our students can stay for a period of 6 months right up to 3 years depending on their program. Students choose to pay for homestay accommodation during their study because it offers them the opportunity to be part of a good family environment. They like to be treated like members of the family and participate in family activities and outings.
Homestay families are required to provide all meals, accommodation and assist students with transport and school support. Families are remunerated for this and must meet all the Education Queensland International requirements prior to hosting. A homestay visit forms part of the registration process and attending a Homestay Orientation is also required.
If you would like to be a Homestay Provider for our international students, please contact Jules Carson on 07 55 409 222 or email -homestay@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au
It is a Government requirement that anyone working with children needs to have a valid Blue Card. Any family wishing to host students will need to apply online for a Blue Card prior to hosting. All family members over the age of 18 must have a Blue Card. You can apply for your Blue Card by clicking on the link provided on the right.
On request an information package will be provided to you with all the relevant forms to become a Homestay Provider otherwise please download the forms on the right for more information.
Homestay Information for Students
At OWSHS we offer a Homestay Program to suit a variety of needs. Our families go through a thorough screening process to ensure they are suitable for our program. We take great care in matching the student's requirements and interests with their host family. It is very common for Australian families to have pets such as cats and dogs. It is therefore important for students to let us know their requirements in advance.
The majority of our families reside within a 10 kilometre radius of the school and all have access to public transport or are within walking distance from the school.
We know from experience that the homestay environment is one of the most important aspects of a student's program in Australia. Therefore we try our best to ensure a good match is made.
Should students experience any concerns regarding their homestay arrangement they can speak to the Homestay Coordinator at the school.
For all after hours emergency assistance please call 1800QSTUDY (1800 778 839) 1800 QSTUDY.
The Department of Education trading as Education Queensland International (EQI) CRICOS Provider Code: 00608A