Hosting an exchange student

WEP host families are all unpaid volunteers. WEP is an Australian not-for-profit organisation and, as such, government regulations prevent us from providing remuneration to host families. All WEP students have their own spending money and are fully insured. Students are expected to cover costs outside their host family's usual outlay.

All students are covered by the Australian Government’s mandatory health insurance – Overseas Student Health Cover – the equivalent of Medicare. Many students also have additional insurance. Host families are not expected to include exchange students on their own insurance policies.

Once we know a little about your family interests and hosting preferences, we will send you suitable student profiles. You then get to choose the student who you think will best fit into your family.

Call 1300 884 733 to request a free information pack, application form and profiles of prospective students.

Government regulations prevent the remuneration of host families, so families generously volunteer to host. The student is responsible for any costs incurred through telephone usage, school uniforms, school materials, local transportation, personal items and any other general expenses that do not fall under the family’s usual outlay. Students pay a program fee to the organisation in their home country, which finances their application, interview & acceptance process, screening of suitable host family, program materials, flights, health insurance, orientation programs and 24 hour support for both themselves and the host family.

Host families have an extensive, experienced support network to call upon should they experience any issues during a student’s program. Your main source of support will be a local WEP coordinator. The coordinator is also a volunteer and is expected to get to know both your family and the student in order to ensure a pleasant experience for both parties. Most of the problems experienced by students and host families are due to miscommunication and culture shock, so an independent mediator is often all that is required. If an issue persists you will be able to contact us directly at our office. In the case of an emergency, both you and the student will be able to call our 24-hour emergency phone that will be answered by a staff member.

Generally speaking, students arrive in late January and mid July. If staying for a semester, students will leave early July or early December; if staying for a year, they will leave in December or early June.

The majority of students are from European countries, with some coming from North and South America. Host families are able to indicate their preference on the Host Family Contact Form and are encouraged to choose a student who they believe will best fit into their way of life.