How to Apply for Homestay in Australia: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for homestay in Australia is straightforward when you know what to expect. This guide walks you through every step of the Global experience booking process, from submitting your application to receiving your homestay confirmation before you arrive in Australia.

Global experience has been placing international students in Australian homestay since 1999. More than 250,000 students have gone through this same process. Here is exactly how it works.

Quick Answer

Apply online: Submit your application using the link at the end of this article.
Book early: Apply at least four weeks before your arrival date. For peak intake periods (January, February, July and August) apply six to eight weeks ahead.
What you need: Passport details, school name and start date, arrival date, dietary requirements, and an emergency contact.
What happens next: Global experience matches you with a host family, issues an invoice, and confirms your placement by email, typically two to three weeks before you arrive.
Minimum stay: Four weeks. Weekly fees are AUD 380–470/week, covering a private furnished bedroom, breakfast and dinner.
School bookings: If your school has a relationship with Global experience, your booking may need to come through your school. Check with us first.

International student completing the Global experience homestay application form online before their arrival in Australia.

Before You Apply: What You Will Need

Have the following information ready before you open the application form:

Your passport number and expiry date
Your full name, date of birth, and nationality
Your school name and address, and your programme start date
Your intended arrival date in Australia
Your dietary requirements and any allergies
Emergency contact details: a parent or guardian's name, phone number, and email

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian's details are also required on the application. After your placement is confirmed, they will also need to complete and sign a Homestay Placement Agreement.

The Seven Steps: How the Booking Process Works

Step 1: Submit Your Application Online

Complete the Student Homestay Application Form here: Apply for homestay at Global experience

The form collects your personal details, school information, arrival date, accommodation preferences, dietary requirements, and emergency contact. You can save your progress and return to complete it using the link sent to your email.

Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from the Global experience team.

Step 2: Host Matching Check

Before your booking is accepted, Global experience checks that suitable host families are available in your area. We verify that potential hosts meet your requirements, including proximity to your school, dietary compatibility, and any household type preferences you have indicated.

This step protects you: we confirm availability before proceeding, so you are never left without a match.

Step 3: Invoice

Once host availability is confirmed, Global experience issues an invoice covering the placement fee (non-refundable), four weeks of homestay accommodation fees, and any additional services requested, such as airport pickup.

Step 4: Homestay Payment

Payment is required in full before the homestay search begins. Send proof of payment to accounts@globalexperience.com.au.

Your placement will not be confirmed until the placement fee, four weeks of accommodation fees, and any airport pickup fees are fully paid.

Key payment conditions:

The placement fee is non-refundable.
You are committed to a minimum stay of four weeks.
Two weeks' notice is required for any change of homestay family.
Cancellations received less than two working days before your arrival date: accommodation fees and airport pickup fees are non-refundable.

Step 5: Important Documents for Under-18 Students

This step applies to students under 18 only.

Upon receipt of payment, Global experience issues a Homestay Placement Agreement. Students and their parents or guardians must complete and return this agreement promptly. It is required for the Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW), which your school needs before you can depart for Australia.

Allow extra time for this step. Delays in returning the signed agreement can delay your CAAW and, by extension, your departure.

Step 6: Homestay Search

Once payment is received and all documentation is in order, our team begins your host family search. We review your application in detail and select a host family that matches your school location, preferences, and requirements.

Include all relevant information in your application: allergies, dietary requirements, any preferences regarding pets, smoking, or children in the household. The more detail we have, the better the match.

Step 7: Homestay Confirmation

Confirmation is sent by email to you, your school, and your agent (if applicable), typically two to three weeks before your arrival date.

Your confirmation includes your host family's name, address, and contact details. Before you arrive, read the welcome pack and student guidelines included with your confirmation. They cover house rules, meal times, and what to expect in your first week with your host family.

Tips to Speed Up Your Application

Apply early. At least four weeks before arrival, and six to eight weeks ahead for peak intake periods in January, February, July and August.
Complete all fields. Missing dietary requirements or school details cause delays.
Pay promptly. Your homestay search does not begin until full payment is received.
If you are under 18, return the Homestay Placement Agreement as soon as it arrives. Delays affect your CAAW.
Check with your school first. If your school refers students to Global experience, your booking may need to come through them.

What Your Homestay Includes

Your weekly homestay fee (AUD 380–470/week across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast) covers:

A private, furnished bedroom in an approved host family home
Breakfast and dinner daily
Utilities

Every host family in the Global experience network has been vetted through our five-step process: identity verification, Working With Children Check for all adults, in-person home inspection, personal interview, and host family orientation. You will not be placed with a family our team has not visited and approved in person.

Frequently Asked Questions: Applying for Homestay in Australia

How far in advance should I apply for homestay in Australia?

Apply at least four weeks before your arrival date. For peak intake periods such as January, February, July and August, six to eight weeks is strongly recommended. The earlier you apply, the more host family options are available and the more time there is to find the right match.

What information do I need to apply for homestay with Global experience?

You need your passport details (number and expiry date), your full name, date of birth and nationality, your school name and address and programme start date, your intended arrival date in Australia, your dietary requirements and any allergies, and an emergency contact (a parent or guardian's name, phone number, and email). If you are under 18, your parent or guardian's details are also required.

How long does it take to receive a homestay confirmation?

Confirmation is typically sent two to three weeks before your arrival date. The timeline depends on when payment is received and the availability of host families in your area. Applying early gives us more time to find the right match.

Can I apply directly if my school has a relationship with Global experience?

If your school has an existing relationship with Global experience, bookings may need to come through your school rather than directly from you. Check with your school or contact Global experience first and we will confirm the right process for your situation.

What happens after I submit my application?

Global experience checks host family availability in your area, then issues an invoice. Once full payment is received, our team begins your host family search and sends confirmation by email, typically two to three weeks before your arrival date. Your confirmation includes your host family's name, address, and contact details.

What is the minimum length for a homestay booking?

The minimum booking period is four weeks. Two weeks' notice is required if you wish to change homestay families during your stay.

Ready to Apply?

Applying takes around ten minutes. Have your passport details, school information, and arrival date ready, then use the link below:

Apply for homestay at Global experience

Global experience has placed more than 250,000 students in Australian homestay since 1999. With over 6,500 vetted host families across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast, we are ready to find the right match for you.