WIN Consultation & Services

You may have seen in our emails and other communications, that the names 'Family Homestay Services' have appeared alongside our name.

From July, our Sydney homestay will operate under the name 'Family Homestay Services'.

The team stays the same. Our phone numbers stay the same. This just means no matter where we are in Australia, we will assist our homestay families under the same name.

Exciting things are happening for the second half of 2022 - so please follow our new page Family Homestay Services!

We wish you and your family a happy and prosperous Year of the Tiger!

The team at WINCS (and our sister organisation Family Homestay Services) wishes you - our valued families, agents, schools, and students - a joyful and safe holiday season.

2021 (and 2020) was challenging. But the international education industry is resilient and resourceful. We are optimistic and ready to connect overseas students with our dedicated homestay community.

Our office will close on 23 December 2021 and reopens on 4 January 2022. We will remain contactable but please excuse possible delays, especially 24-26 December and 31 December/1 January.

NSW and Victoria will both scrap the 72-hour quarantine requirement for fully-vaccinated international arrivals, starting on Tuesday December 21.

Students will still need to get tested within 24 hours of arrival (and isolate until negative test), as well as between day 6 (NSW). They will still need a pre-departure negative test within 72 hours of their flight.

Whilst we welcome the government's arrangement which will streamline student arrival and help homestay families focus on taking care of students, we are also mindful that COVID is still in the community and advise families to continue to observe hygiene, physical distancing, and follow government directives on testing and isolation if required.

For detail please see NSW Government's press release: https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/72-hour-isolation

We can't wait to see international students returning to Australia on December 15!

Update for returning international students to Sydney and NSW.

We encourage international students to contact their education provider and airline to discuss how these changes may impact their journey to Australia.

-------------------------------------------------------

⚠️ Pause to further easing of border restrictions

Australia’s National Security Committee has announced a pause to the return of international skilled and student cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holidaymakers and provisional family visa holders from 1 December until 15 December.

The reopening to travellers from Japan and the Republic of Korea will also be also paused until 15 December.

-------------------------------------------------------

🏠 Self-isolation requirements for international arrivals into NSW

All arrivals to Australia require a negative PCR test and to complete Australian traveller declaration forms detailing their vaccination status and confirming requirements to comply with state and territory public health requirements.

International students arriving in NSW who are fully vaccinated and have been in any overseas country, must get a COVID-19 PCR (nose and throat) test and self-isolate at their accommodation or place of residence for at least 72 hours.

-------------------------------------------------------

✈️ Update on NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan

International students who were booked to return on flights under the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan will still travel to NSW on their scheduled flights.

-------------------------------------------------------

Visit the Study NSW website for the latest information.

🌏 Return including pilot plan - www.study.sydney/return

📋 Pre-departure and arrival information - www.study.sydney/return/pre-departure

🙋 Frequently asked questions - www.study.sydney/return/frequently-asked-questions

We are committed to sharing updates as more information becomes available.

Beautiful day here! Always good to talk to families about Homestay and how it brings a bit extra into their lives (in addition to income...)

We're here at the Lugarno Lions Spring Festival! All set for a big day!

Winnie, Alex, and everyone at WIN Consultation & Services (even puppy!) wishes our homestay families and friends a Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday period!

Our office will be closed from 3pm December 23 and reopens on Tuesday January 3. In the meantime we will remain available to assist our families with any urgent queries, and will continue to process payment as usual.

The Australian Census takes place tomorrow - Tuesday August 9.

We have been asked by our homestay hosts whether their students need to be included in the Census. The answer appears to be YES!

According to the Victorian Census Director, Ms Annette Kelly,

'The census is compulsory for everyone in Australia on Census night and that includes all people who are visiting the country, whether they’re tourists or here for a longer term such as international students, or those who are on working visas...'

If your students would like information about the Census, this link from the Australian Bureau of Statistics contains information in a variety of languages: http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/language

Australia’s national Census compulsory for all international students INTERNATIONAL students will be required by law to participate in Australia's upcoming Census on August 9. Find out why the Census is important to you and future students.

Dear homestay families and friends - we are pleased to release our 'Homestay catch-up' July 2016 edition!

We hope to make this an interesting way to keep in touch with our friends in homestay, as well as a regular source of important information and updates to help our hosts enjoy their experience.

If you have any stories, news, or questions, we'd love to hear from you!

Homestay catch-up newsletter – July 2016 See our Homestay newsletter here!