A good homestay is one of the most important parts of your time overseas. Students need a home away from home – a welcoming place where you can relax in private, study and practice your English. GETI Tasmania provides this through its Government run homestay program.
A homestay means paid accommodation in an Australian home, sometimes as part of a larger family, sometimes with just one adult or with other international students, and a homestay host who provides a warm and supporting environment.
Being comfortable in your homestay is essential to the success of your studies, so you should take the time to understand both what to expect and what is expected of you when you arrive.
Do I have to use a homestay?
Homestay is compulsory for all international students who are under 18 years of age, unless you already have a legal guardian living in Tasmania. Homestay is still a good idea if you are over 18 too.
If you are over 18 and interested in homestay or alternative accommodation, click here.
Who are the homestay hosts?
All homestay hosts are interviewed and screened by GETI Tasmania and must have a police background check before they are allowed to host any students. Their homes are also inspected to make sure they are up to our standards.
Many students choose homestay because they want to experience life in a white Anglo Saxon Australian family. Some of our homestay hosts have their own children and pets, but every homestay is different. It is important to understand that Australia is a nation of migrants and that families from all over the world have settled in Australia. Your homestay might not be white Anglo Saxons, but they will all speak English, have an Australian lifestyle, be supportive and have plenty of local knowledge.
What is a homestay like?
Every student receives:
Their own private single bedroom
A study desk with a lamp and chair
A bed and bedding
A wardrobe and drawers
A warm, clean environment with good heating
Toilet and bathroom privacy
A key to the home
Three meals a day, including meals the students will prepare for themselves, and access to plenty of food
Access to laundry facilities
Informal practice speaking English
Depending on what is agreed with the homestay hosts, you may also receive:
Some limited help with schoolwork
Support with their social life
Support with health and welfare services
Limited transport
What is expected of you?
Inevitably, any homestay in Australia is going to be very different from your own home. There will be new rules to learn and new tasks you will need to do for yourself.
For example, you may need to make some of your own meals, do your own laundry, or ask permission before visiting friends. Your homestay host will explain to you what is expected. Homestay hosts are there to provide support, but inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated.
Your homestay host will also want to learn about you, the kind of food you like and the things you like to do. It might take a while for you to feel confident using English, but your homestay host will understand this. If you cannot say it, try writing it down or use a translator. Join in meal times and activities with your homestay hosts and keep trying – practice is the only way to improve your English.
How do I organise a homestay?
If you require a homestay, you must tell us on your application form. If you have any special requests – including location, facilities or allergies – please let us know when you are applying.
GETI Tasmania will arrange your homestay after your tuition and homestay fees have been paid in full. Homestay placement always depends on availability within the program, but you should have the name and address of your homestay two weeks before your departure for Tasmania.
Please note that accommodation can only commence up to one week before the student’s start date.
How do I pay for homestay?
Homestay fees are payable in advance. There is no placement fee for GETI’s homestay program.
If you are staying for a full year, the homestay fee covers a compulsory number of weeks – 45 weeks for High School students and 42 weeks for Senior Secondary College students. You may purchase additional weeks if needed. If you do not need that many weeks, you may receive a refund at the end of each school year.
The homestay fee must be paid in full for the holidays at Easter and inbetween school terms. If you go home for the November – February summer holiday and plan to return to your homestay, a holding fee will apply, payable directly to the homestay family at a maximum of AU$40 per week.
All students must pay for their own personal toiletries, bus fares and extracurricular activities.
What if I have problems?
In Australia, it is expected that anyone who is not happy about something will talk about it. You can do this politely without causing offence.
If there is a problem, you should talk to your homestay host about it. They want you to be happy and understand that they might need to make some changes. If you don’t tell your homestay host what you need, they will not know. So the most important thing to do is talk about what you want.
If you do not feel comfortable talking to your homestay host, you can talk to GETI’s Homestay Coordinator instead. They are familiar with the kinds of problems that can happen during a homestay, so they will have the best advice and are always available to help.
If you are still unhappy in your homestay and want to try a different home, you can talk about this with our Homestay Coordinator. Homestay changes for students are not unusual, but they are a last resort and will always depend on what is available within the program. There is no fee for a homestay change.
What about emergencies?
Your homestay host is responsible for your safety. You must let them know where you are at all times. If you are absent from the home for more than 24 hours without telling them where you are, your homestay host must call the police to report you as missing.
GETI Tasmania also has a 24 hour phone number that you can call in emergencies.