THE BEST PLACE TO HOMESTAY IN AUSTRALIA!!

ryoko posing on a pier at the maroochydore river

Welcome to our Homestay Australia Guests page!

Thanks for deciding to Homestay Australia's fantastic Queensland - we're sure you'll have the time of your life!

We've made this page so you can find all the information you need before you come. Feel free to contact us anytime if you have any questions :)

HAVEN'T DECIDED WHERE IN AUSTRALIA YOU'D LIKE TO HOMESTAY YET? VISIT OUR HOMEPAGE TO FIND OUT WHY A HOMESTAY IN QUEENSLAND IS BEST! :)

BEFORE YOU COME:

Do you need help Organising your Flights / Visa? Ask us for help anytime!

Have you got Travel Insurance? World Nomads offer the best, cheapest Insurance policies we know. Just fill out your details at the bottom-right of this page, click "Get a Quote", and you can purchase your Insurance policy online in about 5 minutes.

About Queensland Homes

Here's a document to tell you all about what kind of rules etc. you'll have in Queensland homes, and what to expect when you get here!

About Queensland Homes

Exchanging Money

Exchanging money at the Airport is often very expensive (and the exchange rates are poor). So, we recommend you exchange your money EITHER:

a) BEFORE you arrive in Australia (at a local bank - they usually offer better exchange rates than other Money exchange places), or

b) AFTER you arrive, at a local bank (again, their rates are better than Money exchange places).

Otherwise, if you have a bank card with either a "CIRRUS" or "MAESTRO" logo on the back, you can just use that card in Australia - the rates are often quite good.

If you have any questions about money etc., ask us anytime!

AFTER YOU ARRIVE:

Opening a Bank Account:

To open a Bank Account in Australia, you will only need your passport, and at least $1 to deposit into your new account after you open it. Ask us anytime, and we'll tell you where to go and how to open it!

Getting a Mobile Phone:

If you plan to homestay in Australia for a while, you might like to buy a Prepaid Mobile phone. The cheapest new phones you can buy cost about $50, plus you have to buy about $20 of credit to start using the phone.

If you already have a Mobile Phone which works in Australia, you only need to buy a SIM Card (costs $2), plus about $20 of credit to start using the phone.

Ask us if you want to get a phone, and we'll help you with anything you need!

Getting a Tax File Number (TFN):

If you plan to work while you're in Australia, you'll need a Tax File Number (TFN). If you don't have a tax file number, you'll be charged approx. 40% Income tax, so it's very important you get one. It's very easy to apply for - it only takes 10 minutes online, and you only need your passport. Ask us after you arrive, and we'll help you apply for one online!

Finding a Job:

There are many different kinds of jobs you can do in Australia, and many different ways to find them. Just ask us, and we'll help you anytime you need!

Studying a Course

If you want to study during your homestay in Australia, there are many options! Just ask us, and we can help you join any of the classes at private schools, colleges, or universities all around Queensland.

There are also many other kinds of fun classes / activities you can join - Yoga, Meditation, Job Skills classes etc. - if you're interested in anything at all, just ask us for more details! :)