Hosting students

A homestay is a cultural exchange between a student and a local individual or family. The host provides accommodation and support to the student for an agreed-upon period and rate (rent).

To host a student, you will need a current Working With Children Check and to be able to offer students a private room. Accommodation must be within 60 minutes of the University via public transport (including walking time). 

Homestays can be tailored to provide meals, assistance and other activities.

The Alumni Homestay Program aims to connect University of Sydney students with University of Sydney alumni. Our homestay providers will assess student and host profiles and preferences to find a suitable match. 

Hosts receive payments to assist in covering expenses related to hosting a student such as providing meals and utilities. 

Currently the rates for University of Sydney alumni to host are:

• Meals included (breakfast and dinner, seven days a week): $360 per week
• No meals included: $290 per week

You can host up to two students tax free, but we encourage you to visit the Australian Taxation Office website and seek advice from a registered tax agent for information relating to your specific circumstances.

You can host a student for a minimum of four weeks with an option to extend at the end.

However, a semester is the ideal amount of time to provide a student with accommodation so that you and the student can experience the full benefits of participating in the program.

There are no long-term, lock in contracts.

As a host, you will need to provide each student will access to a private room that can be comfortably used for sleeping and studying. You will also need to provide the student with:

• A bed, pillows and bed linen
• Towels
• A desk and chair
• Storage space and a wardrobe
• Lighting
• Heating and cooling
• Internet access
• Access to shared areas of the home, such as living spaces

Utilities are included in the compensation paid to hosts.

The student will bring their own toiletries and personal electronic items such as laptops.

Our homestay partners offer 24/7 support. Their teams are available during business hours and there is professionally staffed emergency after-hours support for hosts.

As a host you are also protected by our homestay partners' insurance.

For more information about the program, please contact the Accommodation Operations team by emailing them at accommodation.info@sydney.edu.au or phoning them on +61 2 9351 3322.