Helping international students feel at home in Australia
STUDENTS
If you are an international student in Australia experiencing financial hardship you may be eligible to participate in the International Student Support Network (ISSN) homestay program.
Students whose education providers identify them as being financially vulnerable as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and needing support can be referred to the ISSN to apply for a heavily discounted homestay placement.
ISSN homestays include a private room,meals, utilities and support from one of our committed AHN host families.
FAQs for Students
The International Student Support Network (ISSN) is an initiative of the Australian Homestay Network (AHN). We want to offer short-term homestay accommodation to financially-vulnerable international students in Australia who are in need of support and assistance as a result of the global economic crisis caused by COVID-19.
Some education providers have funding available to assist international students with accommodation expenses. Please speak with your education provider before you apply to see what financial assistance is available to you and confirm if you are eligible to participate in ISSN homestay.
ISSN homestays are $160 per week and include:
- comfortable accommodation with a local family
- private bedroom
- 3 meals a day, 7 days a week
- access to laundry facilities, kitchen and shared bathroom
- internet access
- utilities
- homestay insurance
- daily interaction with your host family
- 24/7 support from AHN
A one-off Matching Fee of $150 also applies.
Your education provider will need to confirm your eligibility. Once you have contacted them and they have referred you to ISSN, you can apply for a placement by registering HERE. Complete the application which includes your personal details, some background information and homestay preferences (e.g. whether you are able to live with pets). This information becomes your “Profile”. You will also need to agree to AHN’s Homestay Policy and Guest Agreement, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Australian Homestay Network, guests and hosts to provide a positive and safe homestay experience for everyone involved.
Once you have filled in the application form, your local office will send a welcome email to your nominated email address with login instructions and more information about the homestay program.
ISSN homestay was designed to be a short-term accommodation option for international students to have some comfort and support while making it through the COVID-19 crisis. Our standard homestay period is 4 weeks, although in special circumstances a shorter length of stay may be requested by your education provider. The good news is you and your host have the option of extending by mutual agreement. As a guest, you are required to give 2 weeks’ notice if you wish to move out after the initial homestay period. Hosts also need to provide you and AHN with 2 weeks’ notice if they are unable to continue hosting.
AHN uses a unique preference-based matching process when arranging homestay placements. This takes both the host’s and the guest’s preferences and personal information into account to help create a compatible homestay relationship. Your local office will provide you with details about your host family once your placement has been finalised.
AHN hosts are carefully selected to ensure students like you are placed in environments that are not only safe and comfortable, but also warm and welcoming. All hosts go through a certification process including comprehensive training, background check, an in-home interview and a house inspection.
Many different kinds of people are homestay hosts. A homestay family could be made up of:
- Mother, father and children
- A single mother or father and their children
- A young couple
- A single man or woman
- Grandparents
- Retired individuals
We have people from all over the world hosting with us. They come from a variety of backgrounds and have their own hobbies and interests. Some have pets, some do not. Some live in houses with a backyard, while other live in a townhouse or apartment.
Part of our placement process is finding you a host family that matches your preferences in a manner that encourages and supports diversity. We do not discriminate based on religious affiliation, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
When living in a homestay your responsibilities include helping with household chores, as required, and keeping your bedroom and bathroom clean and tidy. You need to show respect for others and follow the house rules outlined to you. You should keep an open mind and be willing to try new foods and experiences. It is important that you communicate with your host family, any issues can generally be resolved be speaking directly with them. Extra information regarding your responsibilities can be found in our Homestay Policy.
Transport is not included as part of the homestay, however, your host will help you become familiar with the local transport options available.
The ISSN program is open to students who:
- have been referred to the ISSN program as they require crisis housing or are deemed to be at-risk by their education provider or other official industry body;
- are unable to continue paying their rent due to financial hardship resulting from the current economic crisis;
- are unemployed or unable to work and are not eligible to receive JobSeeker or JobKeeper assistance;
- do not have access to family support due to financial hardship resulting from the current economic crisis; and
- are not currently in an AHN homestay (students in an existing placement would only be considered if their education provider can support a transfer to the ISSN program due to extreme financial hardship).
The health and safety of all homestay participants is our priority and as such, the following conditions will also apply.
- Students must not be showing any signs of COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival at the homestay and must not have had contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to entering homestay.
- Students must be willing to respect COVID-19 health and safety precautions e.g. social distancing within the home and only leaving the home for essential purposes. Students must also abide by the host’s house rules, which may include not having visitors.
AHN will endeavour to accommodate all eligible students but please be mindful that placements are subject to availability.
Where a student is not suffering financial hardship that meets our criteria, they may apply for one of our standard homestay accommodation options. AHN will offer a discounted Matching Fee of $150 for these students. Standard weekly fees will apply with a 4 week minimum stay.
All guests and hosts participating in the ISSN program have full support from AHN.
You are able to contact your dedicated local AHN office and our experienced team during business hours. For any issues that occur after hours and on weekends, you will have access to our 24/7 emergency contact centre. They will assist you with any urgent issues you may have, including interpreter services.
In an emergency situation you should immediately contact 000.
You can find more homestay FAQs here.
INFORMATION FOR HOSTS
Our international student population is at high risk of being disconnected from the Australia they came here to embrace – our people, our culture and our country.
Industry experts report that hundreds (if not thousands) of international students are expected to become homeless over the coming months. They are not only struggling to survive after losing their job, many are not eligible to access government relief payments and for some returning home is not an option.
AHN invites community-minded Australians to join the International Student Support Network (ISSN) and help us change lives for the better. This is an opportunity to participate in homestay in a semi-volunteer capacity, share your home and become a short-term host for international students in need.
We are all #InThisTogether. International students need help now.
WHO SHOULD APPLY TO HOST?
- Do you have a spare room/s?
- Do you live near public transport?
- Are you interested in assisting international students who are experiencing hardship with support and short-term accommodation?
- Are you respectful of different cultures with a keen interest in learning about other peoples’ backgrounds, languages and way of life?
If you answered “YES” to all of the above questions then you may be eligible to JOIN the International Student Support Network (ISSN).
The ISSN is facilitated by AHN who will provide training, homestay insurance and support services for hosts. Hosts will receive a small reimbursement to help cover the costs of accommodating eligible ISSN guests.
FAQs for ISSN Hosts
The International Student Support Network (ISSN) is an initiative of the Australian Homestay Network (AHN). We want to offer short-term homestay accommodation to financially-vulnerable international students in Australia who are in need of support and assistance as a result of the global economic crisis caused by COVID-19.
International education is Australia’s third-largest export. Our future reputation is dependent on how we manage this crisis and care for the international students currently in our country.
AHN is Australia’s leading homestay provider for international students and has placed more than 59,000 students from 185 countries in homestays across Australia. The company’s dedicated hosts welcome international guests to Australia and into their homes, providing a local support network for students as they develop lifelong connections that span the globe. AHN hosts have an intrinsic community spirit, a quality which came to the fore as AHN rose to the challenge of housing more than 600 asylum seekers released from detention in Australian homes in 2012/13.
An ISSN homestay will involve a short-term accommodation arrangement between an individual or family (host) and an eligible international student (guest). We anticipate the homestay period will be for 4 weeks (a shorter length of stay may be available upon request) and will include accommodation in a private bedroom, meals (unless otherwise arranged) and utilities. The ISSN host is providing discount services for the student in need through the Australian Homestay Network (AHN).
The ISSN program is open to students who:
- have been referred to the ISSN program as they require crisis housing or are deemed to be at-risk by their education provider or other official industry body;
- are unable to continue paying their rent due to financial hardship resulting from the current economic crisis;
- are unemployed or unable to work and are not eligible to receive JobSeeker or JobKeeper assistance;
- do not have access to family support due to financial hardship resulting from the current economic crisis; and
- are not currently in an AHN homestay (students in an existing placement would only be considered if their education provider can support a transfer to the ISSN program due to extreme financial hardship).
The health and safety of all homestay participants is our priority and as such, the following conditions will also apply.
- Students must not be showing any signs of COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival at the homestay and must not have had contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to entering homestay.
- Students must be willing to respect COVID-19 health and safety precautions e.g. social distancing within the home and only leaving the home for essential purposes. Students must also abide by the host’s house rules, which may include not having visitors.
AHN will endeavour to accommodate all eligible students but please be mindful that placements are subject to availability.
Where a student is not suffering financial hardship that meets our criteria, they may apply for one of our standard homestay accommodation options. AHN will offer a discounted Matching Fee of $150 for these students. Standard weekly fees will apply with a 4 week minimum stay.
As a host for the ISSN program you will be required to provide a safe, comfortable and enriching environment for your guest. The homestay arrangement includes providing the guest with a private bedroom; meals (as arranged); utilities; and access to bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities. Hosts are expected to treat their guests like part of the family, offering support, friendship and guidance as needed.
AHN uses a unique preference-based matching process when arranging homestay placements. This takes both the host’s and the guest’s preferences and personal information into account to help create a compatible homestay relationship. AHN will provide you with details about potential guests when a placement is requested in your area.
Local AHN offices will manage each placement and provide extra support if needed. AHN’s professionally-staffed 24/7 phone line will also be available for any issues after hours. We’re all in this together.
The ISSN is dependent on the goodwill and support of compassionate and caring households in the Australian community. Under the special ISSN homestay arrangement, hosts will be reimbursed $120/week for Complete Homestay (up to 3 meals a day, 7 days a week). Host reimbursements are designed to assist with covering the costs of the student’s living requirements while in homestay.
We anticipate the standard homestay period will be for 4 weeks, although in special circumstances a shorter length of stay may be requested. You and the guest have the option of extending by mutual agreement. Hosts need to provide the guest and AHN with 2 weeks’ notice if you are unable to continue hosting. Guests are also required to give 2 weeks’ notice if they wish to move out after the initial homestay period.
Click HERE to register. Complete the application which includes details about your household, your hosting preferences and the room/s you have available. This information becomes your hosting “Profile”. You will also need to agree to AHN’s Homestay Policy and Host Agreement, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Australian Homestay Network, hosts and guests to provide a positive and safe homestay experience for everyone involved.
Once you have filled in the application form, an email will be sent to your nominated email address asking you to activate your account.
Once you are registered and have activated your account, AHN will contact you to complete the accreditation process which includes:
- Completing your host profile
- Online training
- Host suitability and compliance checks
- Interview and home inspection (currently being completed online via video call)
- Your guest requires their own bedroom with a bed, linen, desk, chair, adequate lighting, heating/cooling and space to store their clothes.
- The accommodation offered to guests will need to be clean, orderly and in good condition.
- The home must comply with current council building regulations, be properly furnished, and offer privacy in the bedroom and bathroom.
- Access to internet is essential.
- Nutritious meals are to be provided as arranged; the guest may also need additional kitchen cupboard and fridge space to store snacks etc.
International students in Australia are dealing with a lot of uncertainty in almost every aspect of their lives. As a host for the ISSN program you will be required to welcome your guest into your home, provide a safe environment and respect the privacy and dignity of your guest. Having a friendly and flexible attitude is important, as is being prepared to provide emotional support to your guest.
Over 18s are ultimately responsible for meeting their study requirements and keeping their behaviour in check, but may require your guidance from time to time.
Hosting guests under the age of 18 requires extra commitment, so you should be prepared to meet additional responsibilities with regards to student wellbeing, duty of care, and study requirements.
Hosts must report any concerns they have regarding the guest’s welfare/wellbeing to AHN.
International students in Australia come from all over the world and hosts must be open-minded in accepting guests from diverse backgrounds. Students ages also vary, but you can stipulate whether you wish to host over 18s, under 18s, or both when you complete your host application.
The living arrangements of international students in Australia vary. What we can confirm is that Australia’s borders were closed on the evening of 20 March 2020 to non-residents and non-citizens, meaning ISSN guests have likely been in the country for a number of weeks if not months.
Before being allowed into the country, students are pre-screened by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs prior to their visa being granted and travellers are assessed by Australian Border Force upon arrival in Australia.
As mentioned above, students participating in the ISSN program have likely been in the country for well over two weeks so are not required to undergo a 14-day quarantine.
As mentioned above, ISSN guests have likely been in the country for awhile and should have been exposed to the Australian Government’s COVID-19 messages already. AHN will also email guests information regarding key health and safety precautions about social distancing and the importance of staying at home, good hygiene, COVID-19 symptoms, isolation requirements, essential contacts, and mental health support when confirming their homestay placement.
It is still a good idea to have a discussion about this after your guest arrives to ensure they understand the requirements and also highlight any local State/Territory government recommendations. AHN is sending regular updates to both hosts and guests and we are here to support you as needed.
This will vary depending on the guest’s education provider and the current directives from your State/Territory government. A guest’s study requirements will be provided when AHN contacts you about a potential placement. You are not required to provide transportation for your guest, however, you should help them become familiar with the local transport systems if they do need to travel to/from classes. In all instances, reliable internet access is essential.
All hosts and guests participating in the ISSN program have full support from AHN. Local teams are contactable during business hours, and any issues that occur after hours and on weekends can be escalated via AHN’s 24/7 phone line. In an emergency situation you should immediately contact 000.
No problem. Feel free to contact your local AHN office or phone us on 1300 024 628 (02 6881 1936).
You can find more hosting FAQs here.
