Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requires that students who are under 18 years of age either be placed in a suitable homestay until they turn 18, or have a suitable relative who is eligible to be nominated as a carer as set out by DIAC, with whom they can live for the required period.
The cost of Homestay for under 18 students will be $240.00 per week due to the increased duty of care incurred by the provider.
Under 18 students without a parent or suitable relative as a guardian will be required to be placed under the care of an appropriate Guardianship company who will monitor the day to day care of the student in the homestay and at the educational institution. Under 18 students will not be accepted into QUT unless the Under 18 Guardianship form has been submitted. For more details see Under 18.
If you are under 18 years of age and have been made an offer to study at QUT, there are some conditions which you must satisfy before you can be accepted into QUT and obtain the electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) required for your student visa.
Together with your Offer Letter is an Under 18 Guardianship form which you must complete and return to QUT prior to your acceptance and enrolment at QUT. Please read this form carefully.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requires students under the age of 18 years to have proper guardianship arrangements before a students visa is issued. QUT is responsible for ensuring that these guardianship arrangements are in place and that suitable accommodation has been secured. These arrangements cannot be changed without the written approval of QUT.
It is a requirement of Australian government student visa regulations that you reside in Australia with either:
- a parent, or
- a custodian (a person who has legal custody of you), or
- a relative as defined by DIAC.
- if you are not living with any of the above you must have a Guardianship/Caregiver Service that meets QUT standards and be placed in an approved QUT Homestay with a Suitability (Blue) card.
If you want to live with a friend or a relative in Brisbane who does not meet DIAC's definition of "relative", ISS can make arrangments for that person/s to become an approved QUT Homestay Provider that complies with the requirements of DIAC and the Queensland government. (Normal homestay placement fees are applicable.) As the application process can take approximately 6 weeks for a Suitability (Blue) Card, please inform the Homestay Office at least 2 months prior to your arrival in Brisbane. You will still be required to enter into a Guardianship Arrangement until you turn 18 years old.
QUT will only issue the electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) required for your student visa once the Under 18 Guardianship form has been returned to Student Business Services (SBS) as part of Accepting your offer.
If applicable you will also be required to submit,
- Copy of your agreement with a Guardianship Provider/ Caregiver Service
- Homestay request form
- Homestay provider form
When we are satisfied that the appropriate guardianship & accommodation arrangements are in place a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation/Welfare (CAAW) will be issued together with the eCOE.
As soon as your visa has been approved you can begin to prepare for your departure to Australia and QUT.
Guardianship providers
The guardianship service providers below have advised QUT that they are able to provide suitable guardianship services. This is not intended to be a complete list of all service providers. We suggest you and your parents should make your own enquiries.
Useful links
-
DIAC website for information on:
- Accommodation and general welfare arrangements for students under 18-years-of-age
- Custody arrangements for under 18-year-olds
- Student Guardian Visas - for information about bringing a relative to Australia as a student guardian.
- Suitability card
- Homestay
- Homestay providers information sheet
- Overseas Student Health Cover
- Education Providers Responsibilities for under 18-year-old students