Share your home.
Change two lives.
Theirs — and yours. Welcome an international student into your family and discover how much a spare room can hold: new cultures, new laughter, and a bond that lasts long after graduation.
There's a student on their way to Brisbane
who will remember your family forever
Every year, students from around the world arrive at John Paul College full of courage and a little homesickness. What turns their study adventure into a second home isn't a dormitory or an apartment — it's a family like yours: a friendly face at breakfast, a seat at the dinner table, someone who asks “how was your day?” and means it.
You don't need a big house, a perfect routine or any teaching skills. You need a spare bedroom and room in your heart — we look after the rest.
With most programs, you host alone.
With JPC, a whole College hosts with you.
Plenty of organisations place students in spare rooms. Only a school can wrap a student — and their host family — in everything else. That's what makes hosting with John Paul College different.
Typical agency homestay
- Students placed by an off-site agency
- Host manages homework, afternoons and dinners solo
- Support by phone, office hours only
- Little connection to the student's school
- You're one household on a long list
Part of the College family
- Our students, our responsibility — you deal directly with the College's own Homestay Team, not a third party
- Extended Day Program — after school until about 6pm, students get homework support, activities and dinner on campus
- Door-to-door transport home after the program — no afternoon taxi runs for you
- 24/7 emergency line plus regular, personal check-ins
- Training and a community of hosts who share the journey with you
On school days the College carries the heavy lifting from 8:20am to 6pm — you provide breakfast, a safe bed and the warmth of a family evening.
Who does what on a typical day
Breakfast together
A good start and a wave goodbye.
School day
Classes, friends, sport and music on campus.
Extended Day Program
Homework support, wellbeing workshops and dinner — then the bus brings them home.
Family time
“How was your day?” — and all the little moments that make a home.
Aussie life
Board games, beach trips or a quiet Sunday — just include them like family.
Hosting gives back more than it asks
The world at your table
Experience new languages, festivals and food without leaving Brisbane — a priceless cultural education for your own children.
Generous reimbursement
A fortnightly reimbursement to cover meals, utilities and the care you provide. The Homestay Team confirms the current rate during your application.
Hosting that fits your life
From a two-week study tour to a full academic year — you choose when and how long your home is open.
A bond for life
Host families are invited to graduations, celebrations — and, years later, weddings on the other side of the world.
Hear it from families like yours
Real Brisbane host families — and one of their students — on what welcoming an international student is actually like.
If you're considering becoming a homestay parent, just do it. It'll enrich your life, the life of your children if they're still living at home, and the life of another child coming to study here in Australia.
A JPC host parent, in the film above
Filmed at home with families who host for John Paul College — no actors, no scripts.
We've formed some really strong bonds with them. We eat meals together, we play games with them. We even have past students keep in contact with us.
Our students became a big part of our family very quickly and very easily. We live life as normal, but we have two extra people to love along the way.
While you're not their biological parent, they need to know that they can come to you for pretty much exactly the same things that they would their real parents.
Hosting has been very beneficial to my children as they're growing up… they're able to learn what our student learned growing up in his culture.
It's great hearing from some of our previous homestay students and keeping in touch with them. They've really become a part of our family.
I 100% would recommend becoming a homestay parent. It's brought my daughters and I so much joy and happiness.
My stay in Australia wouldn't be the same without my homestay family. Living apart from family at a really young age is hard. I'm so lucky to have my homestay parents, who are always there to help and support me.
Every kind of family is welcome
Couples, singles, empty-nesters, young families, families with pets — what our students need isn't a picture-perfect household. It's a genuine one. Here's all it takes:
- A private bedroom for your student
- English spoken in the home
- A safe, caring and comfortable environment
- Reasonable access to public transport or the school bus
- Time to include your student as part of the family
Adults in the home hold a Blue Card (Working with Children Check) — don't worry, our Homestay Team walks you through it.
Check Your EligibilityFrom spare room to second family — six easy steps
Express interest
A two-minute form — no commitment.
Register nowFriendly chat
We call to hear about your family and answer questions.
Ask us a questionHome visit
A relaxed visit from our Homestay Team.
Is my home right?Blue Card & checks
We guide you through the simple compliance steps.
What's involvedTraining & welcome
Practical preparation, plus our host community.
See the trainingMeet your student
The airport moment you'll never forget.
Meet our studentsThings families ask us before saying yes
Still wondering about something? Call our Homestay Team on (07) 3826 3474 — we love these conversations.
Do I get paid to host?
Yes — host families receive a generous fortnightly reimbursement to cover meals, utilities and care. The Homestay Team confirms the current rate for your placement type during your application.
How long do I have to commit for?
It's flexible. Some families host a study-tour student for two weeks; others host the same student for years. You tell us what suits your household — there's no minimum lock-in to register your interest.
Can we still go on holidays?
Absolutely. With notice, the Homestay Team arranges respite care with another approved family while you're away — hosting fits around your life, not the other way round.
Do we get a say in who we host?
Yes. Matching is done thoughtfully around your household, interests, pets and preferences — and we talk it through with you before any placement is confirmed.
What if it doesn't work out?
The Homestay Team checks in with you and your student regularly. If a match isn't right or your circumstances change, we handle it respectfully and arrange alternative accommodation. You're supported at every step — including a 24/7 emergency line.
What checks do we need?
Adults in your home need a Blue Card (Queensland's Working with Children Check) and your home has a friendly suitability visit. The Homestay Team guides you through both — most families find it far easier than expected.
There's a spare room in your house.
And a student who'll never forget it.
Register your interest today — it takes two minutes, there's no obligation, and our Homestay Team will call you for a friendly chat within a few days.
- Prefer to talk? (07) 3826 3474
- Email us anytime
Register your interest
No obligation. We'll simply call you for a friendly chat.