Live with a local Australian family

Homestay is the best way to practise English every day and discover Australian life. With over 600 host families, our on-campus Homestay Team matches you with a family that suits your interests and lifestyle – just tell us about your hobbies, pets and preferences.

600+Shafston host families

Inspectedevery family interviewed and home visited

Checkedall adults hold a Working with Children check (Blue Card / WWCC)

On-campus teamsupport from arrival to departure

1 free changeif the first match isn’t right, we help you move to a new family*

60 min maxdoor-to-door home-to-school commute*

*Family-change and commute conditions apply.

Homestay options & weekly rates

Application fee: $340 per student (one-off, non-refundable). The online form shows your estimated total before you submit.

Choose the option that fits you. For individual students, choose the age at check-in. All prices are in AUD per student, per week.

Half Board

Breakfast & dinner daily, lunch on weekends

Single room$441
Twin room$392
  • Own bedroom (single) or shared with a friend (twin)
  • 2 meals weekdays, 3 meals weekends
  • Student does own laundry
  • Student arranges own transport

Full Board

3 meals every day

Single room$497
Twin room$406
  • Own bedroom (single) or shared with a friend (twin)
  • All meals included
  • Student does own laundry
  • Student arranges own transport

Brisbane only · required under 13

Extra Care

Meals, laundry and school transport

Single room$910
Twin room$700
  • All meals included
  • Family helps with laundry
  • Family drives student to and from college, Mon–Fri

Long-stay rate (4+ weeks): $770 single / $630 twin

Half Board

Breakfast & dinner daily, lunch on weekends

Single room$407
Twin room$364
  • Own bedroom (single) or shared with a friend (twin)
  • 2 meals weekdays, 3 meals weekends
  • Student does own laundry
  • Student arranges own transport

No Meals

Room only, with kitchen access

Single room$315
Twin room$294
  • Own bedroom (single) or shared with a friend (twin)
  • Prepare your own meals in the family kitchen
  • Student does own laundry
  • Student arranges own transport

Short-term stays

A home base for shorter courses and visits

  • Arrange homestay with your course application
  • Already enrolled? Apply for accommodation separately with the booking form below
  • Weekly rates as shown under Under 18 / 18 and over

Long-term stays

A place to settle in throughout your studies

  • Stay with the same host family for your whole course
  • Our on-campus Homestay Team supports you from arrival to departure
  • Weekly rates as shown under Under 18 / 18 and over

For long-term student-visa students staying with an external host, a $340 external-host registration fee applies instead of the application fee.

Groups & study tours

For students, teachers, schools, government and business delegations – one- or two-day visits and longer programmes

  • Homestay, hotels or serviced apartments
  • Meal arrangements to suit your group
  • One point of contact for your itinerary

Plan your group’s stay

Tell us your group type and size, dates, city, accommodation, meals, transport and budget, and we will prepare a tailored proposal.

Agreed net terms. Payment by bank-transfer invoice or payment link after arrangements are confirmed.

Good to know: Twin prices are per student – both students book together and check in and out on the same dates. All homestays have a shared bathroom and a door-to-door commute of 60 minutes or less. Upgrades such as a private bathroom, special diets and welfare guardianship can be added in the booking form (see below).

Meals, rooms & everyday care

Compare what each homestay package includes.

Half BoardBreakfast & dinner daily, lunch on weekends

Full Board3 meals every day

No MealsRoom only, with kitchen access

Extra CareMeals, laundry and school transport

Swipe to see all packages →

Half Board Full Board No Meals Extra Care
Breakfast ✓ Daily ✓ Daily — Own meals ✓ Daily
Lunch Weekends only ✓ Daily — Own meals ✓ Daily
Dinner ✓ Daily ✓ Daily — Own meals ✓ Daily
Kitchen access to cook — — ✓ —
Laundry Student Student Student ✓ Family helps
School transport Student Student Student ✓ Family drives, Mon–Fri
Additional supervision — — — ✓
Available for Under 18 & 18+ Under 18 18 and over Under 18 · required under 13
Locations Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sydney Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sydney Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sydney Brisbane only

Why our families love hosting

Ms Lucy, Shafston host family

“I feel like the world comes to me having international students, and that I get to meet people from all around the world.”

Ms Lucy · Host family since 2023

Ms Harsh, Shafston host family

“Students come and spend time with us in our house, and learn about different cultures as well.”

Ms Harsh · Host family since 2023

Ms Jane, Shafston host family

“I would just like to say thank you to all the staff at Shafston.”

Ms Jane · Host family since 2004

Upgrades & extra services

Choose the support you need – add any of these in the booking form.

Room & meal upgrades

Per student, per week

Private bathroom$35
Own bedroom on a twin booking$35
Special diet$70

Dietary options include vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free and kosher, subject to placement confirmation.

Welfare support (under 18)

Per student, per week

Shafston CAAW welfare, guardian-nominated$80
Non-student-visa welfare, Form 1257$80

Students under 18 must have approved welfare arrangements. Tell us the student’s visa and support requirements so the correct arrangement can be confirmed.

Before you arrive

A few things to sort out before you fly, so your first days with your host family go smoothly.

Visa & insurance

  • Student visa: you need a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) and must study full-time
  • OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is required for student visa holders – Shafston can arrange it through Bupa
  • Other visas: travel insurance is strongly recommended

Under 18 students

  • Under 13: Extra Care is required (Brisbane only)
  • Welfare: approved arrangement needed – CAAW or Form 1257, $80/week
  • Tell us the visa type so we can confirm the right arrangement

Fees & payment

Application & payment

$340 one-off, non-refundable application fee

  • Pay only the application fee when you apply
  • Then we invoice your stay – payment link or bank transfer
  • External host (long-term student visa): $340 registration fee instead

Before arrival

  • Charged in full weeks – stays are rounded up
  • Everything confirmed first – placement, inclusions and charges before you book
  • Host family details sent by email before you arrive

  • Two weeks’ written notice is required for any change or cancellation (counted from the day Shafston receives it).
  • Before check-in: with less than two weeks’ notice, unused fees are not refundable.
  • After check-in: complete a Refund Form. Fees are charged up to your new check-out date (or the full two-week notice period), plus a $100 administration fee. Any unused balance is refunded.

  • Booking less than two weeks ahead: $165
  • Check-out after noon: $58
  • Public-holiday surcharge: $100
  • Emergency help outside office hours: $150 per hour

2026 Homestay & Airport Transfer Price List

All homestay fees on one page – weekly rates, room upgrades and extra services for Brisbane and Sydney.

  • Homestay application fee
  • Weekly rates by age and meal plan
  • Upgrades & extra services
Shafston host family with their dog

Ready to book?

Complete the online booking form – you’ll see your estimated total before you submit.

Questions? Homestay Team: homestay@shafston.edu · +61 466 791 240 · Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5:00pm