Welfare and Accommodation
Welfare and Accommodation.
At ISWA, we understand the importance of effective assistance for CRICOS international students who may be living in Australia unaccompanied by their family.
Accommodation Options
The International School of Western Australia does not offer boarding accommodation facilities.
To maintain welfare, overseas students can either:
- stay in Australia with a ‘nominated guardian’ approved by the Department of Home Affairs
- stay in accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements that have been approved by ISWA. In this case, ISWA must issue a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter.
A nominated guardian is one of the following:
- the parent of the CRICOS International student
- a person who has legal custody,
- an eligible and nominated relative who is aged over 21 and is of good character;
- spouse or de facto partner of the parent
- brother, sister, step-brother, step-sister
- grandparent or a step-grandparent
- aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, step-aunt, step-uncle, step-niece or step-nephew;
and
providing a police clearance from the countries in which they have lived for more than 12 months in the past 10 years after the age of 16 an Australian citizen, permanent resident or be eligible to remain in Australia until the overseas student’s visa expires or the overseas student turns 18 years of age (whichever happens first).
If the welfare arrangements change, the parent or legal guardian has an obligation to advise ISWA and the Department of Home Affairs. Any alternative welfare arrangements must be approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
ISWA is less likely to approve a general welfare arrangement.
If a general welfare arrangement is approved, ISWA must have and implement processes for verifying that the overseas student’s accommodation is appropriate to the overseas student. These processes must be implemented prior to the accommodation being approved and at least every six months thereafter. These processes may include a physical site visit, a student interview and other ways of confirming that the accommodation still meets the overseas student’s needs.
Welfare Support
ISWA recommends the following accredited service providers for CRICOS international students who may be living in Australia unaccompanied by family.
- Australian Homestay Network: Australian Homestay Network (AHN) is Australia’s largest and leading homestay provider, delivering the highest quality homestay accommodation for CRICOS international students.
- ISA Guardian and Welfare Services: CRICOS international students can liaise with the independent organisations of ISA Guardian and Welfare Services. ISA specialises in the provision of security, assistance, advice, and advocacy to international students during their study time in Australia. They can act as a liaison for student welfare between AHN, ISWA, and the general community.
- Australian Federal Government Study Support: The official Australian Government website for CRICOS international students is Study In Australia. CRICOS international students can search for courses, institutions and scholarships, read about studying and living in Australia, watch stories from other students, and learn about Australian education.
- Australian Federal Government Study Complaints Support: The official Australian Government agency for CRICOS international students is the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Students can access advocacy and personal support for complaints and appeals about their private education provider from Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Acknowledgement of Country
We wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we are on, the Whadjuk (Perth region) people and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge, respect and seek to learn from their wisdom, continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.