Students under 18 years of age

International students under 18 must have suitable accommodation and welfare arrangements while they are studying in Australia. Options include:

• Living with parents or relatives approved by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
• Living with parent-nominated homestay with distant relatives or close family friends approved by DEC International
• Living in homestay accommodation arranged by DEC International

Annual living costs have been estimated at A$18,610 by DIAC.

Living with parents or relatives approved by DIAC

Primary school (Kindergarten to Year 6)

Students enrolling for Kindergarten to Year 4 must have a parent living with them at all times. Students in Years 5 and 6 can live with a parent or a suitable relative.

Please note: older siblings on student visas will not be approved.

Secondary high school (Years 7 to 12)

Students may live with a parent or DIAC-approved relative. The relative must agree to undertake guardian/carer responsibilities.

The relative must:

• be a resident of NSW
• be over 21 years of age
• be able to remain in Australia until the student is 18 years of age
• obtain an Australian Federal Police clearance

Parents must provide DIAC with proof that the guardian is related to the student.

Please note: international students enrolling for Year 7 and Year 8 are required to live with a DIAC-approved relative.

Living with parent-nominated homestay

Parents of students who are enrolling for Years 9 to 12 may nominate for their child to live with close family friends or distant relatives.

• Accommodation and living arrangements must meet our minimum homestay standards (pdf 110 KB)
• Parents must complete a Parent Nomination for Homestay form (pdf 69 KB). Allow six weeks for processing.
• We will issue a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) for your child's visa
• The person nominated to provide accommodation, and all family members aged over 18 years, must complete a Working with Children Check
• We will approve the arrangements once the nominated homestay meets all requirements
• The nominated homestay parent becomes guardian/carer for the student
• An accommodation placement fee of A$250 applies

Living in homestay arranged by the DEC International

We can place students in Years 9 to 12 in approved homestay accommodation.

• Students in homestay have their own bedroom and study desk, and share a bathroom
• The homestay family provides two meals a day on weekdays, and three meals a day on weekends
• The homestay parent becomes the guardian/carer
• Homestay is arranged through independent providers who have agreements with us to provide quality service
• Homestay providers regularly inspect homestay accommodation
• We will issue the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) to DIAC so that DIAC can issue a visa
• Homestay providers arrange for everyone living at the homestay to complete a police check
• Parents may request a different homestay family
• Homestay costs range from A$240 to A$300 per week, and are subject to change at the discretion of the provider
• Accommodation placement fee is A$250

Download the Homestay provider list (pdf 66 KB)

Students over 18 years

Students over 18 years of age should remain in homestay accommodation or continue to live with their relatives until they finish high school.

• We may contact parents to approve any changes to students' living arrangements
• Details of an adult contact person who can also be present at enrolment interviews and available in case of emergencies must be provided to us by the student or parents
• Annual living costs have been estimated at A$18,610 by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

Guardian / carer responsibilities

The guardian / carer is responsible for:

• maintaining regular contact with the student and liaising with the school, homestay host and parents
• ensuring the student has a minimum of 80% school attendance (in line with student visa regulations)
• notifying us, the school coordinator and DIAC in writing of any changes in address or living arrangements within seven days. If the student is under 18 and we approve the accommodation and welfare arrangements, then written approval must be obtained prior to the change of arrangement
• contacting the parents and school coordinator in case of an accident, serious illness or medical emergency
• assisting the student to seek necessary medical attention and obtain proper medical certificates in case of absence
• informing the parents promptly in the event of any problems
• contacting the school coordinator requesting leave for the student for any appointments, specifying the dates and times of their absence
• liaising with the school coordinator concerning behaviour, conduct or any issues that may affect the student's progress
• attending school meetings deemed necessary by the principal on behalf of the parents
• assisting the student to abide by school and visa requirements
• taking responsibility for the student's welfare and supervision outside school hours.