Homestay Application Checklist Procedure

Procedure for checking new homestay applications

A Homestay Household indicates their interest in becoming a Wesley College homestay via email or telephone. The International Student Coordinator (ISC) will contact the Homestay Household to discuss the requirements of Wesley College and ascertain initial suitability, e.g. location, who lives in the homestay etc. Wesley College would prefer not to mix university students and school students unless they are members of the family, and we do not mix males and females unless they have separate sleeping and bathroom areas, such as upstairs.

If a student's parents request a relative or family friend act as the Homestay Household, the parents will be advised that person will need to meet the requirements of Wesley College and follow the procedures below. If they wish to go ahead, the relative/friend will be contacted and a conversation about the information outlined above will be conducted, and the process detailed below will commence.

The ISC will contact the Homestay Household by email and will provide:

  • the Homestay Application Form,
  • the Child Safe Policy and Child Safe Standards Declaration form,
  • information about how to obtain a Working with Children Check (WCC) and National Police Check, and
  • a request to provide identification and details for a reference check for anyone over the age of 18 residing in the home.

A Tip Sheet for the safety of children from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds and the Homestay and Welfare Booklet will also emailed.

The Homestay Household will need to return the completed application form, identification, WWC, Australia Post Police Check, Child Safety Standards Declaration and details required to reference check anyone over 18 years of age residing in the home.

The identification provided will be checked against the address; Australia Post Police Checks will be validated using the Australia Post App; and the WWC will be validated through the WWC Status Checker available at www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

The application form will be reviewed, and references will be contacted to identify any factors that may affect the applicant's suitability to host a minor in a homestay.

If the application form and references show that homestay may be suitable, then the International Student Coordinator and Assistant (ISC) will visit the homestay to ensure the home is age appropriate for a student under the age of 18, (e.g. the bed is a suitable size, the bedroom has a desk and chair for studying purposes etc).

The ISC and Assistant will interview the homestay applicant and key guidelines about the expectations of homestay will be discussed. Other factors discussed will include the working hours of homestay, monitoring the internet use of the student, child safety requirements, support if the student is ill and the procedures to follow.

Initial (and annual) child safe training will be conducted for all those residing in the home who are over the age of 18, and records of the training dates will be maintained by Wesley College.

The Homestay Checklist form will be completed by ISC and/or Assistant and placed on file with the Application Form, Working With Children Check, Police Check, copy of identification, record of child safe training completion and Child Safety Declaration.

The Homestay Household and all relevant details will be added to the database.