ACCOMMODATION

The most important part of every international student’s life is a happy home environment. Students must feel safe, secure and supported to enjoy their time in Australia and to meet their potential at Saint Stephen’s College.

International students have a number of accommodation options including:

• Homestay
• Parent(s)
• Nominated custodian

Homestay

Many Australian families welcome international students into their homes where they can live, learn and experience Australian customs and culture.

All homestay students receive their own room, a private study area, all meals and transport to and from Saint Stephen’s College.

Homestay families are carefully selected, monitored and supported to provide the best possible living environment for Saint Stephen’s College international students. Many students share a special bond with their homestay families and remain in contact after their graduation.

The Saint Stephen’s College homestay program is managed by Australian Student Accommodation.  The homestay program is only available to students on student visas.

Click here to download the Homestay Application Form.

Parent(s)

Parents accompanying international students are a valuable asset to our Saint Stephen’s College community.

Parents who are living with their child in Australia are responsible for all areas of the student’s welfare and study support.  Parents of international students are required to read and sign their commitment to the Saint Stephen’s College Parent Values statement.

Nominated custodian

International students may only live with a custodian or nominated carer with the written approval of the College.  Parents should apply directly to the College and provide all required information to determine the suitability of this request.

A person who has custody of the student minor is defined in the migration regulations as a person who has the right to have daily care and control of the student and the right and responsibility to make decisions concerning their daily care and control.

The only persons who may be nominated as a carer by a parent or by a person who has custody of the student, is a relative of the student who is at least 21 years old and who is of good character.  A relative eligible to be nominated as a carer means a brother, sister, step-parent, step-brother, step-sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew, step-grandparent, step-aunt, step-uncle, step-niece or step-nephew.  To establish that a nominated carer is of good character, the student will be required to provide evidence of police clearance of the carer in the country or countries in which they have resided for more than 12 months in the past 10 years after the age of 16.

The nominated carer must have a current Blue Card and provide it to the College, along with a copy of their passport on enrolment upon application to become the nominated carer. Approval of this welfare and living arrangement is at the discretion of Saint Stephen’s College.

For further information about accommodation options, or to download resources, please see the Accommodation pages of our website.