Find a home with an Australian Family
Moving to Australia is a big & scary change!
Across the country, many families open their homes to International Students for weeks, or even years. This provides a great way to feel welcome, and have a comfortable place to start your new student life.
Homestay is renting a room in the home of a family (or it could be a single person). Meals may or may not be included as the student chooses.
This is very popular with ELICOS (English) students who tend to come to Australia for a short period of time. However, it is also great for students taking longer courses who need a place to begin their housing journey.
Benefits of this homestay accommodation include:
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short or long-term accommodation options
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less commitment (no lease agreement)
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affordable
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guidance by your host family on life in Australia
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safety
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can be arranged before arriving in Australia
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ongoing English practice with family
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no cooking if you have meals included
Negatives of homestay accommodation may include:
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lack of privacy
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distance to class may not be ideal
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sharing facilities like bathrooms & kitchen space
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possible cultural misunderstandings
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possible communication issues
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quality of home (though this should not be the case)
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strict family rules
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dislike of food selection if meals included
What is life like in a Homestay?
Watch the video to find out!
Finding Homestay Accommodation
Many trusted organisations manage homestay options.
Prices average $250-300 per week for a room, plus approximately $100 a week for food (depending on the number of meals you choose).
Here are some population options in Australia:
Australian Homestay Network (AHN) - National
2Stay - National
Homestay.com - National
Australian Student Accommodation (ASA) - Gold Coast
Choice Homestay - Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW
Melbourne Homestay - Melbourne