NEAS hosted its inaugural Homestay Symposium in Sydney on Friday, 22nd March 2024. Partnering with industry stakeholders and practitioners, the event marked a historic milestone for Australia by establishing the world’s first-ever set of quality standards for homestay accommodation.
Themed “Providing Solutions in an Accommodation Crisis,” the symposium brought together homestay service providers, education providers, education agents, and professional staff supporting students in accommodation and welfare matters. The aim: to share best practice and address common challenges.
The event featured insightful presentations and a dynamic panel discussion session. Keynote speakers included Ms. Sonia Ortega, CEO and Founder of Global Experience Australia; Ms. Vanessa Collins, Professional Risks and Affinity Manager at Edgewise Insurance Brokers; and Mr. David Bycroft, Founder and Executive Director of the Australian Homestay Network (AHN).
Speakers provided valuable insights, and a panel of specialists engaged attendees in an open Question and Answer session, offering practical solutions and guidance.
With Australia taking the lead in setting quality standards for homestay accommodation, the inaugural Homestay Symposium signifies a significant step towards ensuring a safe and enriching environment for international students.
To access video recordings and presentations from the event, see here.
For further information on the initiative, you can contact Daniel Yuen, Operations Manager at NEAS, via email.
