Welcoming your Student

& Other Helpful Information

Prior to Arrival

The school will have confirmed and informed you of the students arrival. You would have received an email with:

  • Confirming the student’s placement

  • Name, Date of Birth and country of origin of the student.

  • Flight information and approximate time of arrival of student to your home.

  • A copy of the Homestay Responsibility Agreement

  • A link to this information.

Airport Pickup

Templestowe College always give the responsibility to airport pick up to the International Team. Usually, the International Student Coordinator (ISC) is the designated pick-up person.

  • The ISC will check-in with the family the day before arrival.

  • If there is any delay with airplanes this will communicated with the host, but we encourage host families to also check arrival times as they will have the flight information.

  • The ISC will also ensure to communicate during the day when leaving the airport.

  • ISC will drop students off at your home and will assist with bringing them into your home. Normally, ISC will not stay around so the homestays can start to welcome the student to their home.

Upon Arrival

Student Safety Card

As required by the department TC is to provide all students subclass 500 with a Student Safety Card. It is to ensure that they have the information on their person at all times. This should be in their wallet. This will be provided to homestay students when they are picked up from the airport. Below is the student safety card:

What Homestay can do when students first arrive:

  • First Day questions - this list is questions students can ask host families. The documents include the questions in English and translated into:

  • When you do First day questions, I suggest also filling out the Homestay Agreement, which has overlapping information.

  • Show them around the home, the neighbourhood and even closest shopping area.

  • Support them to purchase a sim card.

  • Support them to purchase myki card –

    • Under 17 year old can buy child card. NOT STUDENT CARD.

    • android users can download to their phone.

    • You can buy myki cards at Box Hill station, the Doncaster Park and Ride and 7-elevens and small shops that have MYKI card sign.

    • Please also ask them to register their Myki card online.

    • Starting 1 January 2026 - Myki Free for under 18 years old - Students will need to still get a youth myki card. (To be confirmed)

  • If a student arrives before commencement date at school, please support them with opening a bank account. We have been using commonwealth bank (but this is not necessary) and we have brought students to the Westfield Doncaster branch. They will need:

    • Mobile number

    • Passport

    • Copy of the visa.

    • Money to deposit

  • Teach them to get on bus

  • To get to school

  • To get to shops

Holiday Plans & School Dates

Things to Remember as a Homestay

  • Smoke Alarms: change batteries twice a year

  • Please check your home insurance as outlined in the homestay term and conditions.

  • Do homestay agreement within 1 week of arrival.

    • Apart from the homestay agreement please don’t sign any other contracts with the student such as phone contracts or gym contract.

    • Please check with us. We can help the students.

  • If there are damages caused by student, that you think requires compensation please take a photo and let me know. As soon as possible. However, please also chat with student about situation.

  • If student is working, please let us know. We should already know but just in case.

  • Overnight stay forms need to be completed with ISC. Students can only stay with other homestays or homes with adults with WWCC.

  • Let us know if your circumstances changes.

  • The ISC will visit you twice a year.