Standards for Australian Homestay Providers
In the last 10+ years there have been significant developments regarding homestay accommodation for international students.
Properly-managed, standards-based homestay is now seen as the ideal way for a new international student to be introduced to living in Australia.
International students who commence their accommodation experience in homestay are reported to be better oriented, more settled, safer and happier as international students. A well-managed homestay arrangement is the ideal entry point prior to an international student making a long-term accommodation decision or moving into on-campus housing.
The Australian Homestay Network (AHN) helped develop Australian Homestay Standards and also became the first hosted accommodation provider to be endorsed by the National ELT Accreditation Scheme (NEAS) in the category of Quality Products and Services (Area O – Homestay Service Providers).
History
Homestay Standards
A critical element in the success of homestay in Australia has been the introduction of well published homestay standards, which were first deemed appropriate by the Australian Senate Inquiry into the Welfare of International Students in 2009 (See sections 3.65 through to 3.71).
Since then, The University of Sydney (USYD) through its Centre for English Teaching (CET) has been instrumental in reviewing Australian homestay standards and for ensuring that standards for this very important part of the international education industry were validated.
The original standards were decided upon by USYD after input from DEEWR, ISANA International Education Association Inc. and a selection of experienced homestay managers.
The 2011 NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into International Student Accommodation commended AHN for implementing the standards developed by USYD and recommended them for legislation.
DIAC
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) also officially advised their contracted ‘Settlement Services’ providers in 2012 (who were assisting with asylum seeker community placements) must meet the USYD homestay standards.
CISA
The Council of International Students Australia (CISA) joined the campaign for adherence to homestay standards through their ‘Australian Good Practice Program for Education Providers’. CISA identified numerous issues in the unregulated homestay industry in Australia and called for legislation of homestay in line with the University of Sydney findings.
AEI Report
In a 2013 report released by AEI regarding ‘International higher education student satisfaction with accommodation in Australia’, homestay received the highest level of satisfaction against all other types of accommodation. The level of satisfaction from international student was an amazing 89% against 88% for living with friends and 83% for both on-campus accommodation and other off-campus accommodation.
Study NSW / NEAS Homestay Quality Standards
In 2023, Study NSW and NEAS spearheaded a project to introduce a standards framework for hosted accommodation for international students i.e. homestay.
The initiative brought together key stakeholders in the international education sector as well as government representatives, homestay organisations and education providers. After a series of virtual workshops, in-person forums and ongoing consultation, the new Homestay Service Provider Standards were launched.
These standards now provide a formal benchmark for homestay providers to aspire to, with the opportunity to be independently endorsed by NEAS after completing a strict quality assurance process.
AHN became the first organisation to be endorsed in the category of Quality Products and Services (Area O – Homestay Service Providers) in October 2023.
Marketing Advantage
Strong homestay is seen internationally as a good marketing advantage in the quest for international students. Homestay for international students should be used as the initial entry point accommodation to give peace of mind to parents and agents about those critical first few weeks for the student in Australia. A partnership approach should be adopted to ensure that education providers are working with this key service provider to maximise international student opportunities.
Risk Management
Standards are now entrenched and it would be unwise for education providers to ignore their obligation to these standards and their duty of care risk exposure. Adoption of the researched and documented standards for homestay (as ‘Best Practice’) will ensure that education providers and their future students are protected and that the Australian homestay industry will only consist of participants committed to these standards.
David Bycroft
Founder, Australian Homestay Network
I am enjoying Liping Wang staying she is very bright and good company. A delightful guest to have in the house.
