What is homestay?
Homestay is a popular accommodation option for people travelling overseas. It offers students a safe and stable living experience that is both friendly and tolerant of cultural differences. Students from a variety of countries board with families who welcome them into their homes as part of the family. The student has a single bedroom in the home and is provided with most meals. There are many reasons international students choose homestay accommodation. Some find it to be a more convenient and safe form of accommodation when settling into a new country. It allows you to get used to your new environment with help from your homestay family. You will be able to make new friends, to practise your English and to learn the Australian way of life. However, the most significant reason is cross-cultural exchange in a friendly, welcoming environment.
"The reason we have homestay students is because we believe it's really important for the kids to be exposed to people from many different backgrounds. While the students pay for their board, for us it's more important to have the contact and the relationship building. We like the kids to have contact with people who have different world views and speak different languages."
Kristine, homestay mother
The cost
Staying at a QUT homestay costs AUD$220 per week which is paid direct to the homestay provider. Students who require hahal food will be required to pay $230 per week and students under the age of 18 years are required to pay AUD$240 per week, due to the increased duty of care incurred by the provider. Please read guardianship information.
This fee covers general living including three meals (breakfast, a packed lunch, and dinner), provision of facilities (eg. towel, blankets, bed sheets, eating utensils), utilities (gas and electricity) and general cleaning of the student's room, bathroom and toilet.
Students are responsible for the cost of their own phone calls and internet usage. We recommend an international phone card be used to make international calls.
The minimum length of stay is four weeks. Student is required to pay the first four weeks of the homestay fee to the homestay provider at the time of moving into the homestay. If the student decides to extend after the initial four week period, the student is required to pay the homestay fee one week in advance. If the student wants to move out, the student must give the homestay provider at least one week's notice. If not the student will have to pay a week of homestay fee in lieu of notice to the homestay provider
Apply for a Homestay
You can apply for homestay accommodation online. Before completing the online application form you will be asked to accept the Terms and Conditions of Use, which you must accept before proceeding. If you are under 18 years of age please read this before proceeding.
A homestay placement fee of AUD $220 (inclusive of GST) is payable to QUT at the time of application.
If the online form is not available please email isshomestay@qut.edu.au for assistance.