REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS UNDER 18

As part of the Australian Homestay Network (AHN) commitment to a consistent and complaint approach to the provision of Homestay services within Australia, the following information will assist in understanding the regulations and requirements for students who are under the 18 years of age.

The snapshot below details the regulation/requirements which are need in each State through the Nation when working and volunteering for students under the age of 18.

Queensland
In Queensland people working or volunteering with children need to hold a Blue Card.

The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian is responsible for administering and conducting criminal history checks on people who want to work with children to determine whether or not they are eligible to hold a Blue Card.

http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/index.html

Cost: Volunteer – free, Paid Employees: $60 (2 years)

New South Wales
The NSW Commission for Children and Young People is responsible for the Working with Children Check, which helps determine whether people are suitable to work in child related employment.

This checklist aims to create workplaces where children are safe and protected, and where the people who work with children are appropriately screened.

http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/director/check.cfm

Cost: Free Service

Victoria
The Victorian Government has introduced the Working with Children Check, which is compulsory for people who wish to work with or volunteer with children.

The check seeks to protect children from harm by requiring people to undertake a criminal history check before they start work in an organisation.

http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Working+With+Children/Home/

Cost: Volunteer: Free, Paid Employees: $70 plus cost of photographs (5 years)

South Australia
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in South Australia, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.

http://www.internationalstudents.sa.edu.au/pages/home/links/

Cost: $48

Australian Capital Territory
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in the Australian Capital Territory, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.

Northern Territory
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in the Northern Territory, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.In addition, the Northern Territory Government has released draft legislation for the creation of a screening scheme which outlines minimum standards for child-related occupations and activities.

Western Australia
In Western Australia a Working with Children Check is compulsory for people who carry out child-related work in Western Australia.

The check aims to protect children by deterring people from working with children when they have criminal records that indicate they may harm children; and by preventing people with such records from gaining positions of trust in paid and voluntary work with children.

http://www.checkwwc.wa.gov.au/default.htm

Cost: Volunteer: $10, Paid Employees: $50 (3 years)

Tasmania
Currently there are no legal requirements for people working with children to undertake a police check in Tasmania, however, organisations which require employees and/or volunteers to work with children may have their own policies in this regard.

In 2005 the Commissioner for Children Tasmania released a consultation paper discussing proposals for the Government to introduce screening procedures for Tasmanian organisations who want to employ people to work with children.

TCN Homestay gives AHN Thumbs Up!

One of Victoria's leading Homestay Supervisors, TCN Homestay, has now been trained on all aspects of the AHN system and has given it a big thumbs up! Here is what just one of their staff had to say:

"I was very impressed with the system. The AHN is a visually pleasant looking system and it is far superior to the system we currently have. I found it to be very user friendly, easy to move around the different sections and from an accounting perspective – excellent. The alert system is terrific and the fact the Hosts, Students and Agents can input their own data and monitor the system day by day is great. The fact that there is ongoing consultation with TCN and other clients is fabulous. Education Institutions should be able to now relax with Homestay and proudly present it as an accommodation option for students.

We can see the benefits already to enhancing our business to making a smooth and efficient changeover and providing a much higher level of service to all parties involved. I look forward to going live in Jan 09!"

Anthony Joins the AHN Team

We have great pleasure in welcoming Anthony Fleming to our team.

Anthony fulfils the position of CEO during our foundation and development phase.

Having worked for OSHC Worldcare for the past 5 years (Account Management QLD/NSW/ACT, Regional Manager QLD/NSW/ACT and National Operations Manager), Anthony has extensive experience in implementation projects concerning International students.

With a background in Account Management, Marketing, Public Relations and Operations his key responsibility will be ensuring new client’s transition to AHN is successful.

With our project continuing to gain momentum, we look forward to growing our business under Anthony’s leadership.

Welcome Anthony!!

Foundation Member gives the AHN System the thumbs up!!

Study Gold Coast has worked closely with AHN Staff over the past months undergoing extensive system training, system testing, completing the "Getting Started with AHN" procedures, developing member communication and hosting AHN information sessions.

Feedback from Study Gold Coast has been extremely positive.

Here's some of the system functions/inclusions they like most:

• the system is extremely easy to use
• the entire system is auditable without extra additional administration time
• we will have records of absolutely every action with a reduction in administration time and this is very easily accessible
• we will be able to generate our own reports, export to EXCEL and create graphs for statistical purposes
• we can search for students by their existing ID numbers as allocated by their education providers
• we will benefit from a fully secure system protecting privacy of homestay host and students
• insurance covering both homestay hosts and students is excellent
• as is the bonus of counselling in other languages through AHN 24/7

The Australian Homestay Network thanks Study Gold Coast for their continued support and looks forward to working together to build complete homestay solutions.

AHN ADVISORY BOARD

‘Working together to build complete Homestay solutions’

AHN is pleased to announce the appointment of a number of individuals from across the Nation (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia) to the AHN Advisory Board.

The AHN Advisory Board which is chaired by Sylvia Lewohl (formerly of Griffith University - who has over 17 years experience working within the Homestay area) will hold its inaugural meeting this week.

The Advisory Board plays a proactive role in guiding AHN planning and program development, initiating dialogue with the Board of Directors on matters of strategic interest as well as responding to matters referred from the Board of Directors.

The AHN Advisory Board’s role is to:

- Act as a forum of strategic advice and a sounding board for the Board of Directors with respect to current and emerging issues relating to Homestay and International Students

- Assist the Board of Directors with strategic planning

- Advise on opportunities for alliances and partnerships consistent with the aims and goals of the network

- Advise on and monitor compliance with statutory regulations pertaining to Homestay

Advisory Board positions are non-remunerative and represent the following areas :

- Homestay industry
- Higher Education sector
- TAFE Sector
- English Language
- Private Education Sector
- Public sector
- Corporate Sector
- Specialist areas such as police, psychiatry, insurance etc.

24/7 Interpreter Service

We have received many questions regarding our Homestay 24/7 Interpreter Service.

There are no additional costs for the service as it is paid for in the management fee.

How it works is as follows:

1. If our AHN 24/7 Help Desk receives a call where there is obviously a language problem the AHN Help Desk automatically sets up an interpreter booking and reschedules the call. Usually this can be done on the same day.


2. If a Supervisor or a host is having a communication issue where language is the problem, they can book the service direct with our AHN 24/7 help desk (most languages available).


3. Up to 6 people can be on the phone line for the one call, so you could have: Help Desk, Interpreter, Supervisor, Host, Student and Network Account Manager all on the one call for major issues.

We are excited about this added benefit for Homestay.

AHN Community to Benefit from 24 Hour AHN Assistance Service

Enhancing the cultural experience and ensuring the safe welfare for International Students is a major focus of the Australian Homestay Network community.

We are pleased to announce that we have secured the services of a well established, reputable assistance organisation to offer 24/7 support to member organisations, their Homestay hosts and students placed through the AHN System

The AHN 24 hour, 7 day access assistance line will provide referrals for:

• AHN Homestay Helpdesk
• Medical Assistance and Referral
• Telephone Legal Advice
• Stress & Trauma Counseling
• Interpreter Assistance
• Claim Lodgement

Working together to build complete homestay solutions!!