Study in Queensland Independent Schools, Independent Schools, Private Schools, Non-State Schools, Non-Government Schools

Saint Stephen's College

Welfare & Accommodation

Students under 18 years of age studying in Australia have the following accommodation options:

Living with a parent, legal custodian or approved relative
Living in Homestay
Boarding in a Boarding School

If a not living with a parent, legal custodian or approved relative, a student under 18 years of age applying for a student visa must provide a letter from their education provider to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) approving accommodation arrangements before a student visa can be granted.

In most cases for school students, this will be for living in Homestay or Boarding in a Boarding School.

Please see the Department's visa condition 8532 at: www.immi.gov.au/students/visa-conditions-students.htm

Living with a parent, legal custodian or approved relative

Australia's Overseas Student Visa Program allows students under 18 years of age to apply to have a parent or legal custodian accompany them in Australia on a Student Guardian Visa. Please see the website of The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for details about the Student Guardian Visa at http://www.immi.gov.au/students/student_guardians/

Homestay

A Homestay is a two-way exchange in which both guests and hosts get to know and appreciate each other - and in the process have a good time.

(IDP publication : "Say G'Day to Homestay" p.5)

The concept of Homestay as an industry emerged in response to accommodation needs of international fee paying students in Australian secondary and tertiary educational institutions. Homestay accommodation appears to be ideal in many ways including individual care for students and helping them integrate into the Australian lifestyle. It is also expected to assist students with their acquisition of the target language.

(International Education: the Quality of Homestay Services, p. 1. A paper presented by Kathryn Richardson, 17th IDP Australian International Education Conference 21-24 October 2003, Melbourne.)

Homestay has become an accepted student accommodation option in many countries, including Australia, over the past decades. Many schools offer Homestay as an accommodation option to students studying in short and long term programs.

In Queensland Homestay carers are required to undergo a police suitability check before offering homestay accommodation to overseas students.

Details about Homestay Programs are available from individual schools.

Overseas students are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to keep their school up to date with their residential address details at all times.

If not living with a parent, legal custodian or approved relative, students under 18 years of age must have written approval to change their accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements.
If the arrangements were approved by parents, students must have their parent's written approval to change these arrangements.
If the arrangements were approved by the education provider, students must have the education provider's written approval provider to change these arrangements.

Personal Safety & Wellbeing

Student will meet school staff members who can help and assist them with all matters. including giving advice on personal safety and wellbeing, soon after their enrolment at a school.

Information for students coming to Queensland is also available from the StudyQueensland website:

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