FAQ

+ Who can host?

We accept all kinds of families from all ethnicities. Couples or individuals without children are welcome to apply. Some of our exchange programs are limited to having families from the school community, but this is generally the exception, not the rule. Most of our programs accept families from the wider community, which means you do not need to have a student at the school in order to host.

+ How do I apply?

Our application process starts by completing our online aplication form. Once this form is complete, one of our Homestay Coordinators will be in contact with you to arrange a visit to your home. Our Homestay Coordinator will come at a time convenient to you and your family (not all members need to be home during the visit). During the visit, the Homestay Coordinator will inspect where the student will be staying, go through the program and conditions with you and answer any questions you may have. After this process is complete, our office staff will be in contact with you to confirm if you will be hosting a student. If you would like to find out more about hosting before completing the online form, please contact the GOLD office on +61 8 6155 2625.

+ Do I need a Working with Children Check?

Yes. All members of the household over the age of 18, need to have a current Working with Children Check. If you don't have one, our Homestay Coordinator will bring the forms with them during your home visit. Alternatively, our office can send you out the forms via post. For more information regarding WWCC, click here.

+ Where are the exchange programs?

Our programs run at schools and universities across the Perth Metropolitain area and in the South West Region. We aim to find a program in close proximity to your home or along your daily commute. Please contact the GOLD office on +61 8 6155 2625 or homestay@goldil.com.au to see if there is a program running near you.

+ How long do the students stay?

This vastly depends on the program. Typically, most of our students stay in Perth for 1-3 weeks. Some students only require a host family for one or two nights, others will stay for up to one year! You can enquire about short term or long term hosting opportunites available by contacting the GOLD office on +61 8 6155 2625 or homestay@goldil.com.au.

+ Will the student speak English?

This can depend on their age. Younger students may have minimal English, older students may speak a little more. However, this isn't always the case! Every student is different and has had different experiences learning English. We are unable to determine their level of English ahead of time.

+ Will the student have insurance?

Yes, the students will have their own travel insurance. If your student becomes ill or injured during their stay, a bilingual GOLD team member will be available to support you and the student 24/7.

+ Do I need to go to the airport?

No, all airport transfers will be taken care of by Gold Educational Tours.

+ Will I receive a payment?

Yes. Payment varies from program to program in accordance with the duration and number of students you are hosting. Please contact the GOLD office on +61 8 6155 2625 for more information.

+ How many meals a day must I provide?

You must provide 3 meals a day for your student. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

+ Can the student go to school by themselves?

Our students are minors and therefore are required to be accompanied on their journey to and from school. This means during their commute a member of your family must, drive, walk, cycle or catch public transport with them. Under no circumstances should our students travel in a rideshare (Uber, Ola, Didi) or taxi unaccompanied by a family member.

+ Can the student share a room?

If a spare room isn't available, we are more that happy for your student to share a bedroom with your son or daughter. Under no cricumstances should they share a bed.

+ Can I choose the student's age and gender?

We will match you with a student depending on the age of your children, hobbies and gender breakdown in your household. You can request to have a particular gender, age or interest, however, we cannot guarentee that we can honor your request. As a general rule, when matching an exchange student with a host family, we seek to replicate a similar experience to what the exchange student has in their home country. For example, if your family has 2 older sons at unversity and a younger daughter at school who loves dancing, we will seek to find a female exchange student, close in age, who also has two older brothers and loves dancing.

+ can i host a chaperone or teacher?

Yes, you can. Some teachers/chaperones will have a homestay others will stay in a hotel. Please contact the GOLD office on +61 8 6155 2625 to enquire if there is a teacher or chaperone that needs a homestay near you.

+ Can I host two students at the same time?

Most of our programs are single placement only to allow the student to fully immerse themselves in an English speaking environment. We do have some double placement programs, but they are the exception not the rule. Please enquire to the GOLD Office on +61 8 6155 2625 to find out more about single and double placement programs.

+ I host for another company too. Is that ok?

Yes, providing that any other exchange student under your care is NOT of the same nationality as the student you receive through us.