How will I get around?

In Perth, most people live in suburban neighbourhoods and typically spend around 45 minutes commuting to school or work. The city has a safe and clean public transport system. Talkabout Homestay chooses homes that are located near bus and train routes, ensuring easy access so that you can get to your school or university. It’s important to note that hosts are not obligated to provide daily transportation.

Who will be my host?

Perth is a culturally diverse city, with residents coming from all over the world. English is the primary language, and we make sure to place you with hosts who speak clear and understandable English. Your hosts could be couples, retirees, families with children, or single parents. To ensure the best match between our homestay students and hosts, we ask you to complete the application form as comprehensively and accurately as possible. The more we understand about you, the better we can pair you with the right host.

How does Talkabout Homestay ensure hosts are suitable?

When we receive an application from a family, we first check if they live in a suitable area. That means being close to public transport, shops and reasonably near the school or university. Then, we pay them a visit. We take a look around the house and student bedrooms, and we have a chat with the family to make sure they’re a good fit. We’re interested in why they want to host, their background, their interests, and their previous hosting experience.

Will my host have pets?

Pets are a big part of many Perth families’ lives. In fact, Australia ranks among the top countries in the world for pet ownership. Some of our hosts have dogs or cats that they consider part of their family, and these pets often live indoors. Don’t worry, though – before we place a student, we visit the home to ensure that any animals are safe for our visiting students. If you have allergies or other reasons for preferring not to stay with a host who has pets, please let us know in your application.

How long can I stay?

The length of your stay is flexible and depends on the comfort and agreement of both you and the host family. Typically, our minimum Homestay duration is two weeks. When you request and pay for a specific period, you’re guaranteed a Homestay for that duration. Many students like to continue staying with their host family beyond their initially requested period, and most families are open to this possibility. However, the decision is ultimately at the discretion of the host.

In case you need to depart your family before the initially agreed-upon time, please ensure that you give Talkabout Homestay and the host family a two-week notice.

What if I am not happy with my Homestay family?

At Talkabout Homestay, our aim is to ensure that your stay is a great experience for both you and your Australian hosts. Most students are very content with our choice of homes. However, if you find yourself unsatisfied with your Homestay, you have the option to request a transfer. With two weeks’ notice, you can leave at any time.

We are committed to ensuring that reasonable concerns are heard and addressed promptly. In rare situations where Talkabout Homestay believes that the accommodation does not meet reasonable requirements, a transfer will be arranged and there will be no additional charge for finding you a new family.

We look forward to seeing you in Perth and are confident that you will have a safe, fun and rewarding experience, make new friends and take home wonderful memories to last a lifetime!