Homestay Guest Terms & Conditions

The HOMESTAY GUEST agrees to the following terms and conditions for the duration of their stay:

GOAL OF HOMESTAY:

1. The Guest is to be aware that the goal of the Homestay Program is to bring the diversity of international guests together with the diversity of Australian homes & families with the hope that this shared experience will inspire lasting friendships & learning.

HOMESTAY ETIQUETTE:

2. The Guest is to feel welcomed into their new homestay, and is encouraged to ask questions, speak openly and participate in regular family activities, where permissible and practicable.

3. The Guest is to be courteous and respectful of the family and home. This means, for example, keeping the bedroom clean, the bathroom clean and dry; letting the Homestay Host know if they will not be home for dinner or if they will be late coming home at night; being careful of how much noise they make when others are sleeping; learning the 'house rules' or special needs of their homestay.

4. The Guest is encouraged to communicate with their homestay Host by asking questions, and telling their Homestay Host about their day (particularly if the guest is learning English during the course of their homestay.)

5. The Guest is expected to show respect to Homestay Host family members and behave responsibly at all times.

CLEANLINESS & HYGIENE:

6. The Guest is to attend to Australian customs regarding personal cleanliness.

7. The Guest is not expected to do household chores beyond cleaning up after themselves and maintaining their private living spaces. Participation in household routines such as clearing the dinner table, however, is considered good manners in Australian culture.

FRIENDS & VISITORS:

8. Overnight guests or romantic visits, day or night, are not allowed. This is a family issue as well as a security issue. There are many Homestays with children for which this issue is especially important.

9. The Guest is to check with their Homestay Host about daytime visitors.

USE OF UTILITIES, APPLIANCES, TELEPHONE & INTERNET:

10. The Guest is to please be careful about their use of water, electricity and gas, as these are expensive in Australia. In most major cities in Australia, serious Water Restrictions apply to most Australian residents. The limiting of general water usage is necessary whilst this restriction is in place. The Guest is to please talk to their Homestay Host about ways to save water. More information can be found at the City Council web site of the city in which the guest is living. Things like limiting shower time, turning off lights when leaving a room, and turning off TVs when not in use or when sleeping, will be appreciated by the Homestay Host.

11. The Guest is not to use Homestay appliances such as washers/dryers until their Homestay Host shows them how to operate them properly.

12. The Guest is to use a calling card for any long-distance telephone calls, unless they have set up their own telephone line under their own name (where applicable and permissible by the homestay Host.) The guest may use internet access (is permitted by the Homestay Host) according to the Homestay Host guidelines for internet usage and/or their internet plan. Additional charges may apply for such usage, which can be determined from the Homestay Host.

MEALS:

13. The Continental breakfast is usually self-serve (the Guest is to please check with their Homestay Host), and a Homestay Host family member usually prepares the evening meal. The Guest is reminded to clean up after breakfast.

14. The Guest is to do their best to fit into their Homestay Host's normal routine, schedules and usual diet, (although food likes, dislikes, and allergies will be taken into consideration by the Homestay Host when making the evening meal).

SMOKING, ALCOHOL & DRUGS:

15. Smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages are generally NOT permitted (even for adult students.) However, when smoking is permitted outside, the Guest is to extinguish their cigarette butt COMPLETELY and dispose of it properly, or ask Homestay Host where to dispose of it. The use of mind-altering drugs is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN and ILLEGAL in Australia.

DAMAGES TO PROPERTY:

16. The Guest is responsible to reimburse their Homestay Host for any repairs due to damage to their home or property, or any outstanding bill, before they leave the home.

COMMUNICATION & PROBLEMS:

17. Most problems come from communication and language-related problems. If the Guest is confused or angry about something with their Homestay Host, it may be due to some misunderstanding. The Guest must try to communicate with their Homestay Host and ask questions if they don't understand something. The Guest must try to talk to their Homestay Host (politely) if they are upset or angry, and/or contact their Program Coordinator for a translation service.

18. The Guest is to notify the Homestay Coordinator immediately if there is any problem between them and their Homestay Host, or if the Guest is intending or planning to move out.

LEAVING HOMESTAY (GUESTS AGED 18 OR OVER):

19. The minimum stay is 4 weeks for a Guest aged 18 or over. Homestay Fees are not refundable if the Guest chooses to leave within the first 4 weeks of stay.

20. After the first 4 week period, the Guest is required to give their Homestay Host a minimum of one week’s notice, or 1 week’s Homestay Fee in lieu (or any other amount otherwise agreed by all parties), if the Guest wishes to leave their Homestay.

21. If there are special circumstances pertaining to the Guest’s desire to leave the Homestay at short notice, mediation by the Homestay Coordinator or Program Coordinator may be required. The Guest is required to discuss the circumstances with their Homestay or Program Coordinator in the first instance and an agreement must be reached between all parties before any action is taken or notice given. Any shorter notice period commences when mutual agreement has been reached between the parties concerned.

LEAVING HOMESTAY (GUESTS AGED UNDER 18):

22. Guests aged under 18 years must obtain prior approval from their Education Provider or Homestay Experience in order to leave or change their Homestay, and must otherwise remain in Homestay until they turn 18 years of age.

TEMPORARY ABSENCE FROM HOMESTAY:

23. If the Guest plans to leave their Homestay temporarily, the Guest will need to seek mutual agreement on a “room holding rate” with their Homestay Host. The Guest is to be aware that their Homestay Host may not allow temporary leave or a reduced rate.