Host a Student
A Rewarding Experience for Everyone!
Hosting an exchange student can be one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences for your whole family. Being a host family means opening your home, hearts and minds to a young person from overseas.
YFU exchange students are eager to learn about Australia and improve their English language skills.
YFU exchange students are eager to learn about New Zealand and improve their English language skills.
Our host families are open minded, flexible, tolerant and have a sense of humour. They are keen to learn about another country and culture and share their own lives and experiences with their student. The most important requirements are to:
- make their exchange student feel genuinely welcome
- help the student become part of their family and local community
- support the student on their exchange journey
- immediately inform YFU Student Exchange of any issues affecting the safety and well-being of the student.
- Adhere to the YFU Student Exchange Child Safety guidelines and policy and contribute to our continuously developing child-safe culture where children and their well-being are at the centre.
Mandatory training and support materials are provided by YFU via our online Volunteer Portal.
In accordance with Australian regulations, hosting an exchange student is voluntary. Host families provide meals and lodging without financial reimbursement, upholding the values of cultural exchange and mutual respect mandated by the Australian regulatory authorities.
Hosting Durations:
You can host a student for three, five, or ten months. Students arrive with at least basic English and are ready to become part of your family and your family life. They are encouraged to participate in daily chores and family activities, enhancing their understanding of Australian culture and contributing to household dynamics.
Student Preparedness:
Each student comes equipped with travel insurance and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), ensuring they are well-prepared for their stay in Australia. They also bring personal spending money for incidentals such as toiletries, school supplies, and personal outings.
Student Profiles:
On our website, you’ll find profiles of students arriving in 2025. These profiles offer a glimpse into the students’ diverse backgrounds and interests, helping you find a great match for your family.
YFU Support & Training:
Each host family and student is supported by a YFU Local Coordinator, who provides initial and ongoing assistance throughout the exchange. Our dedicated professional staff are always on hand to answer questions and support your hosting journey. We foster an open and continuous dialogue to ensure a positive and enriching experience for both the student and your family. A 24/7 emergency phone number is provided to students and host families in case of emergencies.
There is mandatory training for new host families, and we foster support from experienced host families through our host mentor program.
How to become a YFU Host Family
If your family would like to become a host family, please make sure you meet the following requirements:
- The student must have their own bed but they can share a room with a host sibling of the same gender.
- The student must be provided with a place to study (can be the kitchen table) and three meals a day.
- All adult host family and household members (over 18 years) must have a Working with Children check, (known as a ‘Blue Card’ in QLD) sign a Code of Conduct, undergo a Criminal Record Check and be interviewed by YFU Student Exchange.
- Be willing to attend YFU training and events such as online orientations, which are designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and support for our exchange programs.
- Ensure that the student adheres to the YFU rules and their visa regulations.
If you are keen to discover how you can open your family home and community to a secondary student from overseas please complete the following form and we will provide more information.
Inbound Student Profiles
Our next group of students will be arriving in late January 2026, and their profiles will be available from August 2025.
If you would like to host, please email us at info@yfu.au - we'd love to hear from you!
Inbound Student Profiles
Profiles of students arriving in August 2025 are now available
View the profiles of the YFU exchange students looking for a host family in New Zealand.
