Homestay in Australia (호주 홀임스테이) gives Korean students something genuinely powerful: daily English immersion in a real Australian home, combined with the safety and structure of living with a vetted host family. It is one of the most effective ways to improve English quickly while experiencing Australian culture firsthand.
If you are a Korean student (or a parent) researching homestay in Australia, this guide covers the costs, popular cities, cultural preparation, and how to apply.
Korea has a long and well-established relationship with Australian education. Korean students are among the largest international student groups in Australia, and the connection runs deep, with strong Korean communities in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
For Korean students specifically, homestay offers something that student dormitories and share houses cannot: a structured English-speaking environment at home. Students who live with a host family develop conversational English faster than those who live independently, because they are using the language in daily life, not just in class.
The weekly homestay fee in Australia ranges from AUD 380 to 470, depending on the city and the student’s age. Current 2026 rates:
The weekly fee covers a private furnished bedroom, breakfast and dinner. Utilities are included. One weekly payment covers accommodation and meals, with no separate bills to manage.
Sydney has the largest Korean community in Australia, concentrated particularly in Strathfield, Eastwood, and Ryde. These suburbs have Korean restaurants, supermarkets, churches, and community organisations, making them familiar and welcoming for new arrivals. Sydney’s language school sector is the largest in Australia, with dozens of ELICOS providers in the CBD.
Melbourne’s Korean community, centred in Box Hill and Clayton, is the second-largest in Australia. The city is particularly popular with Korean students pursuing university pathways or longer-term study. Melbourne’s cultural richness and café culture appeal to students who want more than a beach lifestyle.
Brisbane is increasingly popular with Korean students, particularly families looking for a more affordable option than Sydney or Melbourne. The cost of living is lower, the climate is warmer, and the pace of life is more relaxed. Brisbane’s Korean community is growing and centred in the southern suburbs.
Australian family culture differs from Korean family culture in several ways. Being prepared for these differences makes the transition smoother:
Korean students who get the most out of their Australian homestay experience share a few common approaches:
Yes. Australia is one of the top three English-speaking study destinations for Korean students. It offers quality-regulated English language schools, well-established Korean communities in several cities, and a flight time of around 10 hours from Seoul, making it more accessible than the UK or USA.
Homestay in Australia costs AUD 380–470/week, covering a private furnished bedroom, breakfast and dinner. Utilities are included. Sydney and Melbourne are at the higher end of the range; Brisbane and Gold Coast are at the lower end.
Sydney and Melbourne are the most popular cities for Korean students due to their large Korean communities and wide range of schools. Brisbane is a growing option for students seeking a more affordable and relaxed alternative.
Host families prepare meals based on their own cooking style and the student’s dietary requirements. You can indicate dietary preferences during the application process. While host families are not Korean cooks, most are happy to accommodate requests like rice, vegetables, or particular proteins.
Global experience has been welcoming Korean students to Australia since 1999. Our multicultural team, over 6,500 vetted host families, and 27 years of experience placing students from Korea mean we know how to find the right placement for you. We will help you find the right city, the right suburb, and the right family.