Homestay Accommodation
Homestay applications are currently restricted to students participating in organised study tour programs and individual students from partner universities.
For the time being we will only be providing homestay for students from our partner organisations studying short programs with us. We are not able to offer homestay to individual students at this present time. We may review this in future.
The English Language Centre runs a successful Homestay Accommodation Program, where international students live with local families for a first-hand experience of everyday Australian family life.
Homestay is a wonderful way for students to improve their English, gain confidence, learn more about Australian culture and meet new people in a friendly, nurturing environment. Students often say that their homestay experience is one of the highlights of their time in Adelaide.
Please note that this option is only available to University of Adelaide English Language Centre students.
Experience life in an Australian home
If you enrol at the English Language Centre you can stay with an Australian 'homestay' family. This is a safe and welcoming way to settle into your new city, learn about the culture and practise English in real situations.
Please note that this option is only available to students of the University of Adelaide's English Language Centre and must be for a minimum of 5 weeks.
Why choose homestay?
The goal of homestay is to allow students and hosts to share and exchange experiences. By participating in homestay you have the chance to join in the daily life and customs of Australians. You have the opportunity to participate in various activities with your hosts, such as outings, sports, hobbies, dining out, shopping and most importantly, learning English in everyday settings.
What can you expect?
- Airport reception and farewell
- A clean, comfortable home environment
- Your own furnished bedroom including a desk
- 3 meals per day: breakfast, a packed lunch and dinner
- Access to laundry facilities, bathroom and internet
- Your home will be easily accessible by public transport (less than 50 minutes from our Centre)
- Ongoing support from our Homestay Coordinator.
International students in homestay are part of the family. Living with a family is different from staying in a hotel. Students are encouraged to get involved in family outings and activities, help out with household chores and actively communicate and engage with their family.
Our homestay families
Like most modern societies, Australian households vary. A homestay family does not necessarily mean a two-parent family with children. Hosts may be single individuals, married couples, single parents with children, couples or partners with or without children. Backgrounds vary greatly. Most importantly, hosts have an interest in sharing their own culture with others and are eager to learn about other languages and cultures.
New homestay families are interviewed and their homes visited by the Homestay Coordinator to assess interest, suitability, and concern for the growth and development of the student. The emphasis is on a home that provides the student with comfortable surroundings and a place for practising and developing English language skills.
The English Language Centre continually works hard to ensure that international students are placed with families who best match the needs of each student with consideration given to preferred family type, dietary requirements, pets, children and student interests.
Homestay fees
| Accommodation fee | $360 AUD per week |
| Placement fee | $350 AUD |
More information
Please contact the Homestay Coordinator on +61 8 8313 4777 or email homestay@adelaide.edu.au.
How do I apply?
Application for the University of Adelaide, English Language Centre's Homestay Program can be completed here: Homestay Application (external link).
This application form may take some time to complete. To prepare for this, please ensure that you have the following ready BEFORE you start this application form:
- A recent photo of yourself ready to upload (less than 5MB).
- Your flight details (date, time, airline and flight number) - if available.
- Any English Language Proficiency Test results (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL) ready to upload (less than 5MB) - if available.
- A short letter to your Host Family (approx 200 words). You can copy & paste from another file, or have it written on paper to type in the last section.
This is a secure form that must be completed in one session. You cannot save and return to this form. Once you have submitted it, you will receive a copy of the information by email.
Becoming a host family is an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Why become a host family?
Some of our host families have been with us for years! Having a host student in your home offers many rewards and benefits to your family, including:
- expanding your own awareness of another culture and language
- the opportunity to share and reflect on Australian culture
- the opportunity to develop friendships which can last a lifetime
- the joy of seeing an individual’s English skills improve
- payment to you in recognition of student’s living costs (see below)
- ongoing support from our Homestay Coordinator.
Who can be a host family?
Like most modern societies, Australian households vary. A host family does not necessarily mean a two-parent family with children. Hosts may be single individuals, married couples, single parents with children, couples or partners with or without children. Backgrounds vary greatly. Typically hosts have an interest in sharing their own culture with others and are eager to learn about other languages and cultures.
What will the host family need to provide?
The host family needs to provide a home where the student is comfortable, actively engaged in the daily life of the household and is encouraged to practice and develop their English language skills. Specifically, the host family needs to provide:
- Airport reception and farewell
- A clean, comfortable home environment
- A furnished bedroom, including a desk and a chair
- 3 meals per day: breakfast, a packed lunch and dinner
- Access to laundry facilities, bathroom, and internet
- Your home will need to be easily accessible by public transport (less than 50 minutes from our centre).
The majority of our students are aged between 18-23 years and stay from 5, 15 or 20 weeks.
Please note: Homes need to be easily accessible by public transport (less than 50 minutes from our centre) and there should be no more than one student who speaks the same first language in the home, unless otherwise agreed.
Support and reimbursement
We have a dedicated Homestay Coordinator who provides ongoing support to host families and students. All families are visited by the Homestay Coordinator prior to first hosting a student to assess interest, suitability, and concern for the growth and development of the student. Families are also invited to attend information nights prior to major programs.
We recognise that families become involved in the homestay program because they see it as a wonderful experience. However, we don’t expect it to be a financial burden. To help out over the student’s stay we provide you with $360 per week towards the costs of food, entertainment, and various other expenses for your student.
More information
Please contact our Homestay Coordinator on 8313 4777, email: homestay@adelaide.edu.au or download the Host Family Booklet.