3. International student accommodation has been
ranked by many international students as their:
• number one priority (ahead of their education)
when they choose to study in Australia
4. International student accommodation seems to have had
more:
• reviews, inquiries, investigations, reports and reruns
• than Gilligans Island and Hogan Heroes combined
Things are very slowly improving as education providers
and the industry come to realise that:
• properly managed standards based
accommodation is the key to marketing Australia as a
safe and welcoming international student destination
5. All of the reviews and inquiries that have occurred
have all ended up with the same conclusion:
• We have to improve how we help International students with
the following:
1. Pre-departure information on appropriate accommodation
2. Education Provider/Industry validated accommodation options
3. Airport reception and welcome
4. Welcoming ‘hosted’ accommodation
5. Orientation and grounding of the student prior to them
needing to make a long term accommodation decision
6. To date Australian Education Providers are one of
the best in the world at advising International
Students about their accommodation options
They are the best because the other countries
in the world fail more than Australia fails
7. Complacency regarding International Student
accommodation is one of the greatest threats to
Australia’s international education growth
Tools and options exist however more
commitment and accountability is required from
both the Education Provider and the industry
8.
9. A new scam emerging
Offshore fraudsters renting out houses that aren’t even
their own
Malaysian based scammer offering property for rent on
trading site Gumtree
Asked to complete application form which had obviously
been filled out before and asked to wire $1750
Actual home owner was not aware that her home was
advertised on Gumtree
The complainant said that Gumtree did not have a
contact telephone number and she had also complained
via email but received no reply
11. The truth is:
• When a new international student is properly welcomed at the
airport through a pre-booked service
• And the airport pickup service confirms with the hosted
accommodation provider that the student is on their way
• And the host welcomes the student into a warm, friendly and
supported home environment
• And the host knows that their job is to settle and to help
culturalise the student as well as to learn to understand the
students best options for the future accommodation
• Then (surprise) the student makes a good decision on their future
accommodation choice and is happy
• And the word of mouth machine promoting Australian as an
international education destination is turned on to fast forward
12. The duty of care issue regarding international student
accommodation appears clear to everyone
◦ but often not the education provider
The reviews, reports and compliance requirements on
International Student Accommodation are consistent and
are clear
◦ but unfortunately not clearly understood
The risk for education providers routinely following
activities of the past without objective review and advice
is large
◦ But WHY IS IT OFTEN IGNORED?
13. Fortunately a group of quality service providers
lead by a globally recognised brand have got
together to help those who will listen meet ‘Global
Best Practice’ for International Education
Partnered Allianz Global Education (PAGE) is
about getting the basics right and back to the
forefront
www.alianzpage.com.au
14. Allianz Global Assistance has also recently
launched their Student Welcome Services online
orientation initiative which is free to Australian
Education providers
Free Demo opportunity is available at
www.studentwelcomeservices.com.au
15. Homestay has come under the most scrutiny over the
past 5 years to the point where there is no doubt about
what homestay minimum standards should be
Unfortunately much of the industry is still in denial over
their homestay obligations to other peoples children
Introducing Dr Stephen Howlett from the University of
Sydney who has championed the development of
appropriate homestay standards and insurance in a
University setting
18. OUR RESEARCH
Aim
An introductory comparative analysis of homestay and education
providers’ qualitative opinion on the issue of homestay insurance
risks, expectations and/or requirements.
Hypothesis
A better understanding of homestay insurance risks and
measures to manage that risk could improve our interpretative
frame for assessing and managing insurance risk in homestay
accommodation and point the way to uniform standards of
practice in homestay.
Research Question
To what extent do you expect and/or require the management
of insurance risk in homestay accommodation for international
students in New South Wales?
19. THE SURVEY
▪ 271 NSW education providers. Around 90% of the CRICOS
register of providers in NSW (DEEWR 2013). 22
‘bounceback’; 1 no longer enrolling international students
▪ 17 homestay providers actively promoting homestay services
in NSW on the Internet. 1 ‘bounceback’
▪ 3 industry associations
▪ Only 14 responses (5%). Holbrook et al (2007) ‘may not
necessarily deliver an inaccurate result’
▪ 6 High Schools
▪ 3 Private ELICOS providers
▪ 3 Homestay providers
▪ 2 University English language centres
20. 9 STANDARDS DEFINE INDUSTRY EXPECTATIONS
Education providers are responsible, so they should drive industry’s expectation of standards:
1. Online portal for monitoring placements by providers, agents, Homestay suppliers hosts and
students - ‘real time’ data and reports.
2. Guardianship for Younger Overseas Students (independent of education and accommodation
provider).
3. Insurance cover for Homestay Supplier, hosts and students, including:
1. Workers compensation, Professional indemnity, Public liability etc. as a service supplier to
the University;
2. Host liability insurance for personal injury, property damage, and advertising liability; and
3. Students householders insurance covering students personal effects, accidental damage
within the host’s home.
4. Training for host families and supporting data to demonstrate the training has taken place.
5. Agreement signed by all host families outlining appropriate policies and the host obligations.
6. Documented and comprehensive student orientation.
7. A student policy - expectations and responsibilities of student, host family and Homestay supplier.
8. 24/7 Emergency and Critical incident phone support strategy.
9. Arrangements for management and accountability of all payments made on behalf of the
student to the Homestay host.
• Similar standards now in place in multiple Australian universities and other education providers
• Now in the NSW International Education and Research Industry Action Plan (International
Education and Research Industry Taskforce 2012, p.10)
21. FULL PRESENTATION
AVAILABLE
▪ A full presentation of our work at The University of
Sydney is available if required
▪ QUESTIONS?
21
23. Risk Mitigation and Rental
Accommodation for International
Students
Damian Haber
24. Risk Mitigation and Rental Accommodation
for International Students
4th Annual Student Housing Forum 2013
25. 2
1. The International Student Accommodation Risk Dilemma
2. ‘THE PAD’ Approach
3. Introducing STARS - a new online Accommodation Rating
System
Agenda
26. Disclaimer and Confidentiality
The information contained in this Proposal is commercial in confidence and cannot be
reproduced or disclosed to a third party in any way without the prior consent being first
obtained in writing from THE PAD Management Pty Ltd or its representatives.
The information is intended as a guide only and does not constitute advice nor should it be
relied upon as constituting advice by THE PAD Group (THE PAD Management Pty Ltd) or
its representatives.
It is highly recommended that you obtain your own independent legal and financial advice in
relation to the matters raised in this Document as well as other considerations that may
impact on your decision making.
28. • Demand for student beds is outstripping supply across Australia by 10-15 beds
demand for every 1 bed supply
• The private rental market accommodates approx. 69% of the student sector, less
than 10% are housed on campus and in purpose built student accommodation
• 63% of the student market chose branding as their key determinant in working out
where to stay, location is next with 23%
• 70% of the student market have an upper pricing point of $200-$225 per week for
accommodation
• More than 80% of complaint emanates from private rental accommodation that is
off-campus and typically in suburban areas
5
Market Context
29. Concerns facing industry
1. Affordable Accommodation – significant shortage of suitable supply
• Lack of approved standards and value for money
• Regulatory uncertainty
2. Consumer Protection – safety and orientation
• Is it safe?
• Who will I be living with?
• Where is it and how do I get to Uni?
• If I can’t get guaranteed accommodation - should I go to Australia or
somewhere else?
3. Education industry – sustainability & legal
• Welfare & Accommodation (Duty of Care) - National Code 2007 (ESOS Act
requirements)
• Improving the Student Experience - enhances student retention
6
33. A national approach to student accommodation is
required that is quality assured
– Consistency
– Standardisation
– Transparency
‘THE PAD’ - Approach
10
35. Universities Australia
Extend student housing services
The measures to increase the stock of affordable student housing outlined in
section 1 would also support international students. In addition, universities will
expand their student housing services for international students by publishing
information on localities and providers that are suitable for student rental
accommodation, taking account of quality, safety, location and public transport
availability; by maintaining registers of landlords, agents and premises suitable
for international students (Our emphasis added); and by offering mediation
between student tenants and landlords when misunderstandings arise.
Universities Australia – Policy Agenda 2013-2016: Feb 2013
12
37. Contact Details
Damian Haber
Chief Executive Officer
BRISBANE – SYDNEY – MELBOURNE
T 1300 843 723 | F +61 7 3009 9907
E damian@thepad.com.au | W www.thepad.com.au
40. About CISA
The Council of International Students Australia (CISA) is the
peak student representative body for all international
students studying in Australia.
The main purpose of CISA is to:
• Advocate for the interests and needs of international
students
• Advocate for high quality education for international
students
• Facilitate network building (and business development)
among stakeholders with an interest in supporting
international students
41. Good Practice Program
• Designed to guide Education Providers on ‘best
practice’ within the sector, with a focus on enhancing
a ‘positive student experience’ and attracting more
and higher quality students to Australia
• http://cisa.edu.au/cisa-good-practice-program
42. ‘Good Practice’ Summary Checklist
• Recruitment
– Contracted credible Agents with transparent
arrangements
– Agents being discouraged from taking
payments/commissions for accommodation, student
welfare and OSHC
– Prospective students being provided with trends regarding
opportunities for employment related to education course
43. ‘Good Practice’ Summary Checklist
• Pre-arrival and post-arrival Information
– Evidence of an accountable online comprehensive pre-
departure ‘living and studying in Australia’ orientation
program accessible to all international students from pre-
arrival to end of visa
– Multiple language translations available in pre-arrival
orientation program
– After hours support line 24/7 for international students
post-arrival
44. ‘Good Practice’ Summary Checklist
• Upon Arrival
– Ensure students are appropriately welcomed
– Encourage airport transfers
• Accommodation
– Ensure recommendations are qualified and meet industry
standards (e.g. homestay)
– Ensure referrals for rental accommodation have been vetted
– Institutions support for students being disadvantaged in
accommodation
45. Education Providers
• Institutions adopting the key elements of the CISA
Good Practice Program will receive a marketing
advantage through being able to use the CISA
endorsement globally
• CISA would like to work with education providers to
help build their business by continual work on their
good, better, best practice initiatives
49. also commended these same 8 standards and
recommended them for legislation.
http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/committe
e.nsf/0/fc01867c1767684fca2579520018e34d/$FILE/Gove
rnment%20response%20-
%20international%20student%20accommodation%20in%2
0NSW.pdf
(recommendation 4 and pages 3 and 4 relating to
Homestay).
50. Network Provider Professional Indemnity Insurance of not
less than $5,000,000 any one claim and in the aggregate
Network Provider Management Liability Insurance of not less
than $1,000,000 any one claim and in the aggregate
Network Provider Broadform (Public and Products) Liability
Insurance of not less than $20,000,000 any one occurrence
and any one period of insurance
51. Network Provider and Host Family Broadform (Public and
Products) Liability Insurance of not less than $20,000,000 any
once occurrence and any one period of insurance
Student Insurance of not less than $10,000 for General
Contents including $20,000,000 Personal Liability Insurance
