If you’re planning to study in Western Australia, you’ll have a range of accommodation options available to you, including private rentals, student accommodation, and residential colleges. However, thanks to a new WA Government package, another form of accommodation might soon be more widely available to international students in WA: homestays. Below, we outline the most important details about homestays and the new campaign.
What is a homestay?
Homestays are living arrangements in which you (the international student) lives with a host family at their house. Under this style of agreement, your rent, bills and sometimes even food costs are all rolled into one convenient weekly payment. Homestays are a popular accommodation choice among international students for a variety of reasons. For instance, they provide a unique opportunity to interact with locals and get an authentic taste of Australian culture.
Encouraging WA homeowners to host international students
On Monday 12 December 2022, the WA Government announced a new $50,000 marketing campaign to encourage homeowners in WA to become homestay hosts. The campaign was created in partnership with the Australian Homestay Network (AHN) and StudyPerth.
In its statement, the WA Government clarified that homestay hosts who are registered with the AHN are eligible to receive $295 per week in remuneration. The McGowan government is performing this push in the lead-up to Semester 1 2023, at which time Australia is expected to see a major influx of international students.
“It is important that we provide safe, affordable, and welcoming accommodation to international students arriving in our State,” said International Education Minister David Templeman. “Hosting an international student in your home is an enriching experience that drives value within the community. As a WA homeowner, this is your chance to help an international student find their feet in a new city.”
Image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia.
