The homestay experience is a wonderful opportunity to build lifelong relationships with students and their families across the globe. 

Becoming a homestay family in Victoria is a great way to provide a sense of belonging to an international student in Victoria, Australia.

Being a homestay family is more than just providing a room to sleep. Homestay families offer students:

  • full board accommodation and meals
  • the safety, security and welcoming environment of a real family
  • a great way to improve their English language skills and experience Australian culture
  • help to adjust quickly to their new life and environment
  • a comfortable place to stay during their studies 
  • opportunities for family extra-curricular and social activities. 

Who can be a homestay?Our homestay families come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. For example, there are: families with children your age, families with young children, single older people, and older couples whose children have grown up and left homeBenefits

  • make a difference in a student's life
  • become part of a global community
  • make lifelong connections
  • learn about different cultures
  • showcase Australian culture.

Requirements for a homestay family

You will be required to attend an interview with your local school where they will ensure you can provide adequate and safe care, facilities and support for the student. This includes visiting the homestay and making sure that everyone in the household over 18 years of age has a government issued Working with Children Check.

As a homestay family, you must meet the following minimum requirements when providing homestay services:

  • a separate single room for the Student's sole use with a bed and wardrobe;
  • a clean and tidy household with access to shared living areas;
  • three nutritious meals a day, seven days a week, with reasonable access to snacks and in accordance with the Student's dietary and medical needs;
  • household items such as towels, linen, blankets, eating and cooking utensils;
  • kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities; 
  • reasonable access to utilities, including gas, electricity, heating and water;
  • cleaning services of common living areas;
  • study facilities including a desk, study light and bookcase;
  • any keys, alarm codes or passwords required for the Student to access the Homestay; and
  • working fire alarms throughout the home.

Register your interest

Our accredited secondary schools from across Victoria carefully select homestay families to host international students aged 15 years and over. You can get in contact with an accredited secondary school to register your interest in becoming a homestay family in your local area. 

Thank you for enquiring to be part of this highly regarded Victorian program, and for wishing to provide an international student with the experience of a lifetime!

For more tools and resources to help your homestay journey, see: Homestay Family Guide.

"It's been such an amazing experience for me because they bring love and happiness. It's filled my heart with happiness." - Homestay family, Sandringham College.

"We have been homestay parents for many years to quite a few international students. We get so much out of being a homestay family because it broadens our understanding of different cultures." - Homestay parents, Wheelers Hill Secondary College.

Transcript for video

Victorian Homestay Experience (0:58 secs)



CRICOS Provider Name and Code: Department of Education and Training, 00861K.
CRICOS Course Names and Codes: Primary (Prep to Year 6), 019047G; Secondary (7-12), 019048F; Victorian College of the Arts Secondary Course (7-12), 028651A.

Last Update: 17/01/2024 12:19 PM