Student Reference Guide

Who is AHN Brisbane?

We are a Brisbane based office of AHN and are committed to offering the highest quality customer service to international students choosing Australia as their place of further study. 

We maintain a professional approach, carefully placing students with Homestay families.

Why you should feel fortunate that you are in a home selected by us?

Feeling secure, enriched and having fun are our foremost objectives for the students we place.

We select our families for their kindness, generosity, and willingness to share their homes and lives with students. 

We offer SAFE environments as all families have been personally visited by our staff and all have current Working With Children checks.

We gain an in-depth understanding of your dietary requirements and communicate this to your Homestay hosts.

We offer a 24/7 helpline. 

Australian Society

Australia is a multi-cultural society and therefore our “Australian” families are from diverse countries and backgrounds.

Religion

Australians are predominantly Christian; although many other religions are practiced here. Whatever one’s beliefs, people are free to practice their own religion and live in harmony.

Equality

Australian women are treated equally to men, therefore they should receive mutual respect. 

When you are living in Homestay you will notice that men, women and children all share in the daily tasks. Tasks include cleaning the home, washing dishes, clothes, taking out the rubbish etc.

U18’s

If you are under 18 you should never be left at home without Supervision of an Adult who has current Working with Children checks.

You are not allowed to sleep out overnight elsewhere without first gaining approval from your Education Provider and AHN Supervisor in writing.  The host obviously needs to be advised prior to this arrangement.

When going on holidays permission needs to be gained from your Education Provider and AHN Supervisor in writing.

If you are absent from school, you must advise your host and your Education Provider

More information for students under 18 is provided here

Respect

It is considered polite to say “THANK YOU” and ‘PLEASE’ when asking for or receiving anything. Saying ‘HELLO’ or ‘GOOD MORNING’ when greeting someone is also considered polite.

Australians are friendly, easygoing people who believe in respect for each other.  They can be very frank in the way they express themselves and are often open with their feelings.

They also have a great sense of humour and enjoy joking with each other. This is the fun loving nature for which Australians have become renowned and should not be mistaken for a lack of respect of others.

Different family structures

You may be living with a conventional family consisting of mum, dad and children, a single parent family, singles or couples. 

The family structure may be different from the one you are used to, but most importantly, the family you are living with have opened their home to you.

Language

Your Homestay family will primarily speak English.  This is designed to improve your English and familiarise yourself with local sayings (lingo).

Orientation

Your Homestay host is there to assist you setting up your bank account, travel on public transport and to familiarise you with your new environment.

More than a house

Living in a Homestay situation means you are living in someone else’s home.

Both the student and the host may have to make adjustments so that all can live in harmony, to ensure the homestay environment is a place where you can live, relax and study in comfort.

Celebrate your differences

Every home is different. You may be confronted with values and customs that are very different from your own.  This may seem overwhelming at first, but adapting to these differences is all part of the adventure. Celebrate and enjoy the cultural differences. 

Communication

Moving to a new home and country is a major change. It will take time for you to settle in. 

There may be times where you feel homesick and are struggling with the cultural differences.  Always communicate this with your host, as they will want to make you feel at home as quickly as possible.

Remember living with an AHN Host should be a rewarding experience for you and in some cases will be a place where you make friends for life.

What to expect from your Homestay Host?

Meals

Your Homestay host will provide you with the meals as requested by you during your application process.  Your meals do not include continuous snacks throughout the day. If you feel you are not getting enough food, please speak to your Host.

Some Australian families cook Asian style dishes while others enjoy a diet of meat and vegetables.  Each family will be different, however, we suggest you be a little adventurous and try new foods. If you feel that you would like cuisine from your own country then you should express this to your host. Perhaps you could offer to prepare a meal as a special treat. 

Always ask what time dinner will be served. If you will not be home for dinner or you will be home late then please call your host a few hours before hand to let them know. 

Your host family will worry about you if you do not make contact.

Payment

Please click here for more information on how to pay your homestay fees. 

Telephone

The use of the telephone is NOT included in your homestay fee. Please discuss use of the telephone with your host as each homestay family will have different rules.

You should always ask before using the phone. Do not spend too much time on the phone even if it is a local call as it means that people cannot contact others in the family.

Most phones will have call waiting (please ask your host about this feature).

Please ask your friends not to call before 7.30am or after 9pm at night.

Finally if you take a call for a family member when they are not home you should offer to take a message.

Internet

The use of the internet is NOT included in your homestay fee.  An additional fee per week for Internet use may be charged by your host and this is payable directly to your host.

Access to the internet in Australia is very different to that offered overseas.

Please remember that download times here are often a lot slower and more expensive.

This is to be used purely for your studies and communication to family back home.  Please discuss Internet usage further with your host.

Student’s Room

Please ensure that the room is left the way you found it.  Always seek permission from your host if you wish to move furniture around or want to redecorate your room. You are expected to keep your room tidy at all times and assist with other household chores. If you are not sure ask your host.

Bathroom

In Australia one shower per day is acceptable/preferable and four minutes is long enough.  We are in the grip of extreme water shortages. Please remember to wipe down the sink and bathroom floor, remove any dirty clothes and hang your towel to dry.

Toiletries

Students are required to purchase their own supply of toiletries such as deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.

Toilet

Always knock lightly before opening the bathroom or toilet door.

In Australia we use toilet paper and often do not have a bidet or washing facilities available in the toilet cubicle. This is normal and is considered clean.

It is also our custom to sit, not stand on the toilet bowl/seat, if you are unsure discuss with your host.

Laundry

You are responsible for your own washing and ironing. Ask your host how to use the washing machine and dryer properly and also ask about laundry detergent quantities. Some hosts may prefer to do your washing for you, although this is not standard practice.

Privacy

Australians consider privacy to be very important. Do not enter the bedroom of your host or family members unless you have been invited. In return, your host will not enter your room and will respect your privacy. It is normal for rooms in the house NOT to have locks on them as we lock our homes from the outside not the inside.

Smoking

Unless otherwise agreed you should assume that you are living in a smoke free environment.  If you smoke, always smoke outside. 

Be sure to extinguish cigarettes properly, which means never throw your cigarette butt on the ground and leave it.

Transport

Your host family will provide directions for you to travel by public transport to your place of study and will accompany you on your first day, to and from school.  After that you are expected to find your own way.

Friends

Check with your host family before bringing friends home to visit, especially if the invitation includes a meal. Do not let them stay too late. If you wish for them to stay overnight ask the host family beforehand. 

Should you stay away for the night please leave contact telephone numbers and the length of time you will be away from your Homestay home.  You always need to be contactable in case of an emergency.

Pets

Most Australian families have pets, generally cats and dogs. They may be kept inside our outside. 

Only students who are allergic to animals, frightened of them, or who have religious objections should make that clear on their accommodation request form so they are not placed in a home with pets.

Rules

All Host families will have house rules. You are encouraged to ask about the rules to ensure there are no misunderstandings. Not sure about something? Just ask.

Problems

You are encouraged to discuss any problems you are experiencing with your Homestay Host. If you do not feel confident discussing issues with them, make sure you contact your Student Advisor.

Calling home to speak to parents or agents about a problem is fine, but not advisable. It can cause unnecessary anxiety for your parents.

Giving notice

If either party wishes to terminate the Homestay arrangement, two weeks written notice must be given to AHN by email on brisbane@homestaynetwork.org and your host parents. 

TWO WEEKS NOTICE CANNOT BE GIVEN IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF HOMESTAY.