Becoming an NCC host family is an opportunity to welcome a young person from another country into your family and help them experience everyday life in Australia.
For an international student, a supportive host family provides much more than somewhere to stay. It gives them a safe and welcoming home, opportunities to practise their English and the chance to experience Australian family life and culture.
For host families, it can be equally rewarding, creating friendships, sharing cultures and bringing a new international perspective into your home.
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Why become a host family?
Every hosting experience is different, but families often find that welcoming an international student brings benefits that extend well beyond the student’s stay.
Hosting gives your family the opportunity to:
- Build friendships and connections across cultures
- Learn about another country, language and way of life
- Share Australian culture, traditions and everyday family experiences
- Develop greater cultural understanding and awareness
- Help a young person feel welcome and supported while away from home
- Become part of NCC’s international community
You don’t need to create a special experience every day. Often it is everyday family life, sharing meals, conversations, activities and weekends together, that gives an international student their most authentic experience of Australia.
What does a host family provide?
Host families provide a safe, secure and welcoming home and include their international student as part of everyday family life.
You’ll be expected to provide:
- A welcoming and supportive home environment
- A suitable bedroom and study area
- Bathroom facilities
- Three meals each day plus snacks
- Support with everyday routines and settling into life in Australia
- Opportunities to experience Australian family life and culture
Host families must also meet NCC’s screening and child safety requirements, including holding the appropriate Queensland Working with Children Check (Blue Card).
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NCC supports you too
Hosting an international student is a shared responsibility. NCC’s International team supports both the student and the host family throughout the placement.
Before hosting, we’ll visit your home, talk through what to expect and provide induction and practical information to help you prepare.
Once your student arrives, support includes:
- Regular contact and follow-up from NCC’s International team
- Practical advice if questions or concerns arise
- Support from the College’s international, academic and wellbeing staff
- Access to an emergency contact when required
You’ll have someone to contact throughout the experience rather than having to work things out on your own.
Host family payments
NCC provides host families with a weekly payment to contribute towards meals and the general costs associated with hosting an international student.
Students remain responsible for personal expenses and costs such as entertainment, school excursions, airport transfers, tutoring and school bus travel where applicable.
Host families should seek their own advice regarding any taxation implications associated with homestay payments.
How to become an NCC host family
1. Register your interest
Complete our Expression of Interest form and tell us a little about your family and home.
2. Talk with our International team
We’ll review your information and contact you to discuss hosting and answer any questions.
3. Home visit and screening
A member of the NCC International team will visit your home as part of the host family screening process.
4. Complete your Blue Card requirements
Host families must meet Queensland Working with Children Check requirements before hosting a student.
NCC will provide instructions to help you complete this process.
If you have any questions about Blue Card requirements, you can contact:
Data & Compliance Officer:
compliance@ncc.qld.edu.au
5. Become an approved host family
Once the required checks and screening have been completed, NCC can approve your family for hosting.
6. Prepare for your first student
Before your first placement, we’ll provide induction and practical information about hosting an international student and what to expect.
Ready to become a host family?
Hosting can be a wonderful opportunity to make an international student feel at home while creating a memorable experience for your own family.
