Accommodation & Welfare
It is a student visa condition that students under 18 years of age live with:
- a parent; or
- a person who has legal custody of them; or
- a relative aged at least 21, of good character and with permission to reside in Australia for the duration of the student’s visa or until the student turns 18; or
- in School-approved care arrangements.
It is The Cathedral School policy, and a Condition of Enrolment, that all overseas students, regardless of their age, live in School-approved care arrangements until completion of their enrolled course.
Primary students must live with a parent, a person who has custody of them, or a relative nominated by either the parent or the person having custody of them.
Full boarding facilities are available on campus for students from Years 7 to 12 – this is the recommended form of accommodation for new international students, unless they are living with a blood relative who has been accepted by immigration as the legal guardian.
Homestay placements may be arranged by the school if a position is not available in the boarding house, or if boarding proves to be unsuitable.
Students may apply to move from boarding to homestay after completing at least one full semester in boarding. Approval must be obtained from parents and the School Principal, and is subject to availability of a suitable host family.
Host families must meet strict criteria (e.g. Qld Government ‘suitability card’, inspection of premises, orientation & training) before they can become homestay providers. The School reviews homestay providers annually to ensure they continue to meet the requirements of the legislation.
Homestay accommodation can be arranged for the school vacations for students who are not returning home or staying with family or approved friends during the short (2-week) term breaks.
Students moving to a new address, with school approval, must inform the School in writing and complete the appropriate forms advising of their new address within 7 days of taking up residence at the new address.
