Australian Homestay Network Update

AHN in NZ
The Australian Homestay Network has been well received at the 19th ISANA Conference in Auckland New Zealand where it was announced that a NZ Homestay Network was on schedule for a 2010 launch. NZ Delegates responded very well to what the AHN was doing in Australia and it was hoped that a similar network could be established in NZ earlier than 2010 if possible. New Zealand homestay has been experiencing very similar problems as Australia.

AHN up and running in Australia
Education institutions outsourcing homestay are now being offered the opportunity to have the compliance security by making the decision to only refer students to private Homestay supervising organisations that meet minimum criteria such as:
· An online compliant and accessible/fully trackable/auditable system
· An acceptable industry Advisory Board overseeing the integrity of systems
and processes
· Professional 24/7 phone support including emergency and critical incident
management
· Appropriate insurances for both Hosts and Students
· Part of a Quality Assurance National Homestay Network

The above is now the new industry benchmark and Institutions adopting the minimum criteria are helping to lift the standards of Homestay services in Australia to an industry acceptable level.

Educations institutions supervising their own student homestays are now able to manage their homestays on the AHN platform using the compliant system and associated support services.

Private homestay supervisors are now being offered the opportunity to apply to join the Australian Homestay Network (it is free to join but membership is not guaranteed as private supervisors must be able to meet our minimum criteria).

Outstanding supervisor issues to be addressed by the AHN include:
· Overseas agents privately arranging homestays
· Australian multicultural groups/individuals setting up ‘country of origin’
family homestays with no accountability or controls
· Parent nominated homestays being included in the accountability process
for homestays

AHN Objectives
The Australian Homestay Network’s aim is not only to supply a compliant online portal for the delivery of Homestay to universities, organisations and providers of Homestay, but also to develop and enhance a ‘cultural experience’ through the Homestay opportunity for International students choosing to study within Australia.

The Australian Homestay Network (AHN) has been established to create the platform, leadership, systems and processes for compliant Homestay management.

It is free for Education Providers to become a member of AHN.

What AHN Provides:
· A management system for Homestay
· National, State and Regional compliance standards
· Online training for hosts
· Professional development for supervisors/providers
· Network and structure
· National branding, advertising and supply strategies
· Insurance and emergency 24/7 phone support for students and hosts


Australian Homestay challenges for the future:
1. Desperately need new hosts Australia wide.
We are currently advertising for new homestay hosts who are prepared to be involved in cultural exchange and quality services provision as the foundation of the relations. We offer free membership and online training with no obligation to take a student until they have been interviewed and their house assessed by and AHN trained supervisor. Payment to be a homestay host is non-assessable income (tax free) for up to two students per household. Persons wishing to become trained hosts with AHN should phone 1300 MY STAY (1300 697 829) or simply log on to http://www.homestaynetwork.org/

2. Ensuring education institutions only refer students and their agents to homestay operations that meet the minimum criteria.
Australia’s education institutions have to be made accountable for referring accommodation options in Australia. If they ensure that their agents also follow acceptable practices we are a long way to solving the problem.

AHN 2009 Starters

· Australian National University - (Canberra)
· Australian National University College - (Canberra)
· Bond University - (Gold Coast)
· Bond University English Language Institute - (Gold Coast)
· Central Queensland University - (Gold Coast)
· Central Queensland University – (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane)
· Gold Coast Institute of TAFE - (Gold Coast)
· Griffith English Language Institute - (Gold Coast)
· Griffith University - (Gold Coast)
· Holmes Institute - (Melbourne)
· Immanuel College - (Adelaide)
· International Education Services - (Brisbane)
· Kings International College - (Gold Coast)
· Meridian - (Sydney and Melbourne)
· Monash College - (Caulfield, Clayton, Peninsula)
· Monash University - (Berwick, Caulfield, Clayton, Gippsland, Parkville,
Peninsula)
· Robina High, English language school - (Robina)
· Sunshine State Surfing School - (Gold Coast)
· Swinburne - (Hawthorn)
· University of Queensland Foundation Year
· William Angliss Institute (Melbourne)

In Addition we have appointed private homestay supervisors to the AHN system in:

· New South Wales
· Victoria
· Queensland (Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast)
· South Australia
· Western Australia

2009 in Australia
· AHN is scheduled to be the largest supplier of trained
homestay hosts in Australia
· The largest homestay student placement service

For Further information contact Ella Balsamo on 0417 784 047 or email ebalsamo@homestaynetwork.org

Merry Christmas to All!