Homestay is what I consider to be the most important component contributing to the success of an international student’s study program. At times, international students may encounter problems academically, socially or culturally; but with the understanding, patience, kindness and care provided by a supportive homestay family, our international students can achieve academic success and take home some wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.
The homestay program at our school is governed by Education Queensland International (EQI). To ensure welfare responsibilities are met and maintained, EQI has developed policy and procedures by which the school, student and homestay provider must abide.
Hosting
To be selected as an Education Queensland International (EQI) approved Homestay provider, the following criteria must be met:
- Agree to host no more than 2 international students at any one time, either from Corinda State High School or any other provider.
- All members of the Homestay family over 18 years of age must possess a current Blue Card. Refer to Bluecard Services for more information about attaining a Bluecard.
- The Homestay is a clean, tidy household that is relatively close to the school and is in close proximity to suitable public transport routes.
- The Homestay provides a safe, secure, private bedroom with suitable storage space for clothes, personal belongings and study materials.
- Suitable facilities for study, including a desk, a chair, and adequate lighting.
- Access to bathroom and laundry facilities.
- Access to household items, such as towels, sheets, blankets and eating/cooking utensils.
- Availability of a separate house key or alarm passwords.
- Provide 3 healthy and sustaining meals a day plus snacks, 7 days a week.
- Provide access to television and internet facilities 2-5GB per month at no extra cost.
- Provide proof of current Public Liability Cover to $20 million.
Blue Card
Homestay providers are considered to be “engaged in regulated employment”, as a volunteer, for the purposes of the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (“the WWC Act”).
Each adult residing in a homestay home is taken to be a volunteer engaged in regulated employment, and must either hold a current Blue Card or positive Exemption Card (Queensland teachers and police officers only) before a student can be placed in the homestay home.
If a homestay applicant does not hold a current Blue Card, our staff will submit an application to Blue Card Services using the Blue Card Application Form. The homestay provider application can only be approved if a positive notice (Blue Card) is issued.
If a homestay provider applicant already holds a current Blue Card through an organisation other than our school, our staff will submit the Link an applicant/cardholder to this organisation form to Blue Card services. Once this notification has been made, the WWC Act requirements have been met unless Blue Card Services informs the school otherwise.