Homestay Hub
Real homes and real connections.
Welcome to Homestay Hub. An online platform to access information about Bathurst Regional Council’s Japanese Cultural Exchange Program. The Japanese Cultural Exchange program is based at The Bathurst Visitor Information Centre.
For many years, the Bathurst community have welcomed Japanese high school students into their homes for “short homestays”. An opportunity for students to experience life in Australia, practice their English skills and enjoy the sights of Bathurst & surrounds.
In 2023 the first tour recommenced with a visit from the International Youth Organisation of Japan, the tour was a massive success seeing 20 students visit our region. With the easing of international restrictions the Home Hosting Program is back in full swing with tours lined up for 2024.
Become a Host Family
Key Requirements to Host
Students require their own bed in either a single bedroom or a twin share.
Please note if you are hosting more than one student they can share bedrooms. However, students should not be expected to share a bedroom with family members. Students are also not able to share a bed and do require their own.
Throughout the duration of their stay students require breakfast, lunch and dinner as indicated in the Host Family Itinerary that you will be provided with. Some days students may only require breakfast and dinner as they will be having lunch on an excursion. These days will be clearly indicated.
As a requirement of hosting students all adults who live in the household will require a working with children check and will need to provide the Visitor Information Centre with their working with children identifier number.
Family members are able to apply as a volunteer and select household member as the relative connection to the child.
You can read more at: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-working-children-check
Throughout their stay students have predetermined activities such as school visits or excursions. For these you will need to be able to take your student to school or a central drop off point in Bathurst.
Host families are compensated for their time effort. Depending on the length of stay and visiting group the hosting rates will vary. Contact the Visitor Information Centre to express your interest and we will be able to provide information about compensation for upcoming groups.
Prior to the student visit the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre will be in contact with all confirmed host families to organise invoicing information.
Information for upcoming groups changes regularly with the group and as such there may be important information specific to that group. To best provide all potential host families with accurate information the best method is direct communication. Please email Visitors@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or call 02 6332 1444 to express your interest in hosting.
