Homestay Program Standards

The following Homestay Program Standards must be fulfilled for a Homestay Provider to meet the requirements of the John Paul College Homestay Program.

The following flowchart provides an overview of the process for becoming a College Homestay Provider. Further details can be found in this document and in the Homestay Program Terms and Conditions.

Becoming a Homestay Provider

Please note that Applicants can be unsuccessful at any stage of the process.

Initial Enquiryu00a0
Expression of Interest Pack sent
Reference Check
Suitability Interview
Residence Assessment
Working with Children Check
Welcome Pack
Information Sessions

Homestay Providers already in the program do not have to fulfil all of these steps annually.

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Overview of Homestay Requirements

John Paul College Homestay Providers must:
- be 25 years of age or over;
- be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia;
- reside in the same household as students;
- speak English as the main language in the home.

Homestay Providers must be of good character and suitable to host international students under the age of 18.
Homestay residences must be safe and suitable for international students under 18 years of age.
Homestay Providers must engage with the College to ensure the safety and academic welfare of students.
A Working with Children Check is required for any individual 18 years of age and over residing in a household.
Homestay Providers must notify a Student Protection Officer immediately if it is suspected that a student has been harmed or is at risk of harm.

Homestay Provider Standards

Homestay Providers must be of good character and be able to provide accommodation to international students that is age and culturally suitable.u00a0

Homestay Providers are required to:

acknowledge and abide by the Homestay Program Terms and Conditions;
allow the College to verify the suitability of a residence at least bi-annually;
take on the role of carer for students under 18 years of age;
speak English as the main language in the home;
provide a safe and welcoming Homestay environment that is conducive to a studentu2019s emotional, social, physical and educational wellbeing;
ensure family members show interest in a studentu2019s culture and customs and are respectful of these;
encourage students to experience life as a member of the family and assist students to adapt to the new culture and life. Where suitable, include students in family-related activities and events;
provide three nutritious meals a day, seven days a week with snacks in accordance with a studentu2019s dietary and medical requirements;
provide an orientation within the home detailing facilities, security and emergency numbers;
provide transport to and from the College, including co-curricular activities. If applicable, the cost of public transport must be paid by Homestay Providers;
assist and support a studentu2019s attendance at school and support the completion of homework assignments where required;
attend interviews with the Accommodation Officer and other school staff, at enrolment, parent meetings and as required by the College;
contact the College regarding any student welfare, academic progress and attendance issues;
contact the College in the first instance if the student is unwell, or is to be absent; and
reinforce the expectations and ethos of John Paul College.

Supervision

Homestay Providers are required to:

ensure that students are appropriately supervised and monitored outside of College hours and in accordance with the Duty of Care Declaration;
not allow students to be unsupervised overnight;
only permit students to stay away overnight or undertake non-routine travel or activities if Providers receive written notice from the College; and
never leave international students to supervise younger students.

Homestay Provider Conduct

Homestay Providers are required to:

ensure that student safety is paramount at all times;
ensure that household behaviour is age and culturally appropriate;
ensure that adult behaviour would be deemed appropriate if viewed by an external third party;
ensure that a student is never alone with another person in a bedroom or a bathroom with the door closed (Short-Term students may be in twin share bedrooms with other age appropriate students);
not address behavioural issues in a way that harms a student emotionally;
not address behavioural issues through physical punishment;
respect a studentu2019s right to privacy;
respect a studentu2019s personal and sensitive data and not use it for any reason beyond compliance with the Homestay Program;
not share or distribute photos or other media of students without their express consent and if an external third party would deem it inappropriate; and
ensure students do not have access to alcohol.

Homestay Provider Residence Standards

Homestay households must include:

a safe, clean and tidy household environment that is age and culturally suitable for international students under 18 years of age;
individual and private rooms for each Long-Term student with:
- a bed, including linen;
- storage place for clothes personal items and study materials;
- a desk, chair and lighting for study (may be in a separate and quiet room);
- good lighting and ventilation; and
- reasonable access to heating and cooling;
access to a bathroom with reasonable time allowed for showers;
access and use of other communal areas of the residence;
individual keys for students to access the residence and codes if applicable;
the washing of student clothes and linen as part of household laundry;
reasonable access to household Internet; (Remember that the Homestay Provider must not ask for extra money in accordance with Terms and Conditions); and
any reasonable and safe access to household appliances etc.