Why ELICOS Students Choose Homestay Over Other Accommodation Options

If you are enrolled in an ELICOS programme in Australia, or about to be, the most important accommodation decision you will make is where you live outside school hours. This article explains why homestay is the preferred choice for ELICOS students, and what to look for in a homestay provider.

Quick Answer

ELICOS schools recommend homestay because students who live with host families improve their English faster than those in shared student accommodation.
Homestay creates a 24-hour English environment that supports learning beyond the classroom.
Global experience has been the preferred homestay provider for ELICOS schools across Australia since 1999.
More than 250,000 students have been placed through Global experience's network of over 6,500 vetted host families.
Homestay fees: AUD 380–470/week, covering a private furnished bedroom, breakfast and dinner.

What ELICOS Schools Know from Experience

Language schools see hundreds of students every year. They observe directly which students improve fastest. The pattern is consistent: students who live with Australian host families progress more quickly than those who live in shared accommodation with students from the same country.

This is why so many ELICOS schools include a homestay referral as part of their standard enrolment process.

What Is ELICOS?

ELICOS stands for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students. It is the Australian government's official category for English language programmes taught to international students. ELICOS programmes include:

General English (GE): For students at all levels, covering all four language skills.
English for Academic Purposes (EAP): Prepares students for university entry.
IELTS and Cambridge preparation courses.
English holiday programmes and short-term intensive courses.
English for specific purposes, including professional and vocational contexts.

ELICOS providers are registered under the ESOS Act and must hold CRICOS registration to teach international students legally in Australia.

Global experience is a member of NEAS, and has maintained preferred provider relationships with ELICOS schools across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Gold Coast since 1999.

Why ELICOS Schools Recommend Homestay

ELICOS educators understand what accelerates language development. The research and the on-ground experience of language schools point to the same conclusion: immersion outside the classroom matters as much as instruction inside it.

Students who live in shared student accommodation, particularly those surrounded by students from the same country, tend to use their first language at home. This limits progress significantly regardless of the quality of the school programme. Homestay removes that barrier.

ELICOS schools see this difference in their students' results. It is why so many include a homestay referral as part of their standard enrolment process.

Your ELICOS Profile and Why Homestay Fits

ELICOS students are a diverse group. They include:

Teenagers and young adults on short holiday or intensive programmes (4–12 weeks).
Adult students completing extended general English courses (3–12 months).
Students preparing for IELTS or other proficiency tests for professional licensing or university entry.
Students in EAP programmes preparing for direct university entry.
Working Holiday visa holders completing short English courses.

What this group has in common is that improving English is the primary goal. Every accommodation decision either supports or undermines that goal.

For younger students and first-time arrivals, homestay also addresses the welfare dimension that ELICOS schools are obligated to consider. Host families provide a structured, safe living environment with adult supervision, local knowledge, and daily pastoral care.

The Role of the Homestay Provider in the ELICOS Ecosystem

A homestay provider acts as a bridge between the student's school life and their home life. Global experience:

Vets and trains host families to ensure they understand their role in the student's language and cultural development.
Matches students to families based on school proximity, dietary requirements, family type, and student profile.
Remains available throughout the placement to resolve any issues, including welfare concerns, household adjustments, dietary needs, or requests to relocate.
Provides structured support that is aligned with the school's duty of care obligations for younger students.
Operates in line with NEAS Quality Standards and the national ELICOS regulatory framework.

How Long Do ELICOS Students Stay in Homestay?

ELICOS programmes range from four weeks to two years or more, and homestay placements are flexible to match.

Short programmes (4–12 weeks): Holiday English, junior intensive programmes, and short IELTS preparation courses. Students in this group benefit most from the full-immersion experience homestay provides from day one.
Standard programmes (3–6 months): General English students at beginner to upper-intermediate level. These placements give students enough time to build a genuine relationship with their host family and experience daily Australian life at a sustainable pace.
Extended programmes (6–12+ months): EAP students, IELTS candidates, and students on longer general English progressions. These placements can transition naturally into the student's university or further study phase.

Global experience offers minimum four-week placements with extensions available at any point. Students who decide to extend their programme can extend their homestay at the same time.

Homestay vs Student Dormitories for ELICOS Students

Some ELICOS schools operate student dormitories or residence facilities. For language learning purposes, homestay consistently outperforms dormitory living.

Dormitories do offer proximity to school and a ready-made social community, which can be valuable for students who find the transition to a new country difficult. However, dormitories frequently concentrate students from the same language background, which works against the immersion effect that drives progress.

Frequently Asked Questions: ELICOS Students and Homestay

What does ELICOS stand for?

ELICOS stands for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students. It is the official Australian government category for English language programmes registered to teach international students under the ESOS Act.

Why do ELICOS schools recommend homestay for their students?

ELICOS schools recommend homestay because it consistently produces better English language outcomes than other accommodation types. Students in homestay are immersed in English outside the classroom, which reinforces learning throughout the entire day.

Is homestay required for ELICOS students in Australia?

Homestay is not legally required for adult ELICOS students, but it is strongly recommended and is often a condition of enrolment for students under 18. Many schools make homestay a standard part of their enrolment package.

How long do ELICOS students typically stay in homestay?

ELICOS students stay in homestay for durations ranging from four weeks for short holiday programmes to one year or more for extended EAP or general English progressions. Most placements are between three and six months.

What is the difference between ELICOS and EAP in Australia?

ELICOS refers to all English language intensive courses for overseas students. EAP (English for Academic Purposes) is a specific sub-type of ELICOS designed to prepare students for university entry. EAP is one course category within the broader ELICOS sector.

Global experience: Your Preferred Homestay Partner for ELICOS Studies

With more than 27 years of experience, over 250,000 students placed, and more than 6,500 vetted host families across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Gold Coast, Global experience is the homestay provider that ELICOS schools across Australia trust.

The weekly fee covers a private furnished bedroom, breakfast and dinner. Utilities are included.