ACCOMMODATION

International students attending St Paul’s School and who are not living with parents or guardians are required to live in School approved homestay accommodation. This policy is required by law to apply to all students under 18 years of age. It is School Policy that this requirement will apply to all students over 18 years of age unless exceptional circumstances are shown to exist, and then only with the permission of the Head of School. 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 St Paul’s School. Options available are:

• Homestay
• Parent(s)
• Nominated custodian.

Homestay

Homestay is an Australian family welcoming an international student into their home. It is about providing a warm, friending environment for a sometimes-nervous student who usually has never been away from home before. Our homestay families come from varied backgrounds and cultures but are all fluent English speakers. The composition of the family also varies, reflecting Australian society, for example, a married couple with children, single mother, retired couple, and young couples with no children. They may also live-in different types of accommodation such as a house with a garden, a town house with a shared garden, or a unit in an apartment block. Some homes may have swimming pools. Homestay is not a like living in a hotel or motel. All members of the family including children usually help with simple chores – eg, washing the dishes; setting and clearing the table at mealtimes; keeping your bedroom clean and tidy – including changing the bed sheets, dusting and vacuuming; making your lunch for school.

Homestay families are carefully selected, monitored, and supported to provide the best possible living environment for St Paul’s School international students. Many students share a special bond with their homestay families and remain in contact after their graduation. The St Paul’s School homestay program is managed by a dedicated fulltime St Paul’s School staff member

Parent(s)

Parents accompanying international students are an asset to our St Paul’s School community. Parents who are living with their child in Australia are responsible for all areas of the student’s welfare and study support.  

Nominated custodian

International students may only live with a custodian or nominated carer with the written approval of the School.  Parents should apply directly to the School 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.  The nominated carer must have a current Blue Card and provide it to the School, along with any other relevant information. Approval of this welfare and living arrangement is at the discretion of St Paul’s School.

Further information regarding accommodation at St Paul’s School is available from our Registrar (International).