Homestay information is kept on a database including:

  • names of Homestay parents
  • address, mobile and email address of Homestay provider
  • details of all people residing in the Homestay who are over 18 years of age, who must undergo a reference check, identification (ID) check, WWC, Australia Post Police Check and training in child safety prior to becoming a Homestay household
  • copies of photographic ID, a signed Child Safe Agreement, annual records confirming completion of child safe training, and validated Working With Children (WWC) and Police Checks (PC) for all people residing in the Homestay who are over 18 years of age. WWC and PC are required to be valid at all times, with both to be validated online prior to commencing the Homestay via the Australia Post app and WWC Status Checker
  • WWC are also validated each term via the WWC Status Checker www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au
  • the star-rating of the Homestay, which reflects the quality and suitability of the Homestay provider
  • each year, anyone over 18 years of age residing in Homestay is required via email or WeChat to undertake child safe training and review the Child Safety Code of Conduct and Child Safety Policy and sign the declaration

Homestays are physically visited every six months, with the dates of these visits documented. During the visit, another check is made of the house to determine the ongoing suitability and age appropriateness of the Homestay. This is documented via the House Checklist form, noting any changes. A conversation regarding the roles and responsibilities of the Homestay provider, any changes within the Homestay family, how the student is settling in and any issues are also discussed.

Homestay providers are contacted regularly to discuss the welfare of the student and other aspects of the Homestay experience and offering, including food, laundry, student concerns, phoning the absentee line etc. This may be via a telephone call, WeChat and/or email.

Students are individually spoken to at least once a term about their Homestay experience.

At least once a year, a formal feedback survey is completed by the Homestay student. This can be done online or in hard copy.

If any issues arise from survey or in conversations with the student, the ISC will follow-up accordingly.

Once a semester, a meeting will be held with all Homestay students to discuss an aspect of 'living in a Homestay' and issues that may need to be dealt with by students in Homestay, eg. homesickness, child safe standards etc.