The following information is only for students who will be staying with a homestay provider when not on campus. This information does not apply to you if you are living with a parent or Department of Home Affairs approved relative while you are in Australia.
What is a homestay provider?
A homestay provider is a person who provides care and accommodation to a student when they are not able to be on campus / in their boarding house (for example at exeats, during illness or injury and on School holidays, if they are not flying back to their home country). Students must stay with their homestay provider, or another approved person during times they are not on campus.
This person may be someone nominated by your parents and who is known to you – your older sibling, a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or a family friend – or this person may not be known to you – they may have been suggested for you by the School. In some cases, the homestay provider may have children also at GGS. You may be the only overseas student with the homestay provider, or other students from the School may also stay with the homestay provider.
A homestay provider is not your legal guardian – this is your parents and the School has responsibility for you while in Australia. Your homestay provider is however providing care and accommodation to you, and it is important you are kind and respectful to everyone in your homestay provider home while you reside there.
Australia is a multicultural country and families will be made up of people from different nationalities. Your homestay family may be quite different to your own family. They may also be a little different to your expectations and even not quite the same as the homestay families of other students in the program.
Getting to know your homestay family
If you do not already know your homestay family, the School will arrange an opportunity for you to meet your homestay family prior to your arrival at the School. Often, this first meeting will be via video call, and then you will meet your homestay family in person when you arrive in Australia with your parents.
Your homestay family will tell you about them and their interests, including any activities they do, what their children do and any pets they have. You should tell them about your interests and your likes and dislikes as well, so they get to know you.
You and your parents will receive contact information for your homestay provider, prior to your arrival in Australia. You should ensure this information is saved in your phone, for you to contact your homestay provider as required.
What to expect from your homestay family
Your homestay family will provide you with:
- a safe, secure, welcoming place to live;
- a household compliant with the Child Safe Standards;
- a separate single room for your personal use;
- three meals a day while you are in homestay;
- facilities – a bed, wardrobe, space to study, towels and linen;
- utilities – gas, electricity, heating and water costs, internet; and
- the use of common living areas within the house.
Victoria can be cold during the winter, so ask your homestay family for extra blankets if you don’t feel warm.
Don’t be afraid to ask how to use household appliances (including the laundry) as you need them. Everything from the washing machine to the kettle might operate a little differently from what you are used to. It is a great idea to double check with your homestay family before you start using any household appliance.
Day-to-day living with your homestay family
Weekend activities of a homestay family might be different from what you are used to at home. Examples may include Saturday sport or other co-curricular activities, shopping for the week ahead, or visiting friends or family.
We recommend that you get involved in these activities as a great way to get to know your homestay family and develop your English language skills.
Even though you might be tired after your Term at School, try not to just stay in your bedroom or spend significant time on your devices. Getting to know your homestay family will be easier if you make the effort to spend time together.
House expectations
Each homestay will have a unique set of expectations. This will be something discussed between you, your parents, the Overseas Student Manager and your homestay provider prior to your arrival.
Your homestay’s house expectations may cover some or all of the following:
- Expected behaviour, from the School, your parents and your homestay provider;
- Use of common areas and facilities (i.e. bathroom, laundry, kitchen);
- Going out to visit friends or go into Geelong or Melbourne while in homestay and travel;
- Cleanliness expectations (for example, cleaning up after yourself);
- Curfews;
- Phone and device personal use, and having your phone or device with you when you sleep;
- Transportation provided by homestay provider;
- Food and drink which is offered by the homestay provider and what you must buy yourself (personal items, tuck, personal snacks);
- Ordering food in (for example by UberEats); and
- Communication with your homestay provider.