International Students Policy

At Pal Buddhist School, we are deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our international students, particularly those under 18 years of age.

This policy outlines our dedication to:

Providing suitable accommodation, guardianship, and welfare arrangements for international students under 18 years of age.
Ensuring that Pal Buddhist School staff, student agents, and agent representatives adhere to the requirements of the ESOS framework and the National Code 2007, as detailed in Standard 5.
Complying with the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998 (NSW), the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 (NSW), and the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998. We ensure all individuals working directly and unsupervised with our international students under 18 years undergo thorough screening.
Establishing a clear process for recommending, monitoring, assessing, and approving accommodation and guardianship arrangements for our international students who are under 18.

Responsibility

The Deputy Principal plays a key role in ensuring the effective implementation of this policy. Their responsibilities include:

Overseeing the implementation of this policy and related procedures.
Appointing designated staff members to manage the welfare needs of international students under 18 years.
Keeping staff informed about the welfare requirements for all international students under 18 years.
Providing supervision and support to the Student Services Officer.

The Student Services Officer is dedicated to supporting our international students by:

Monitoring the Australian Homestay Network (AHN) to ensure our students receive high-quality service.
Arranging suitable accommodation to ensure students' personal safety and social well-being.
Maintaining a database of guardians and Homestay providers.
Communicating with Homestay providers, guardianship organisations, and student relatives involved in guardianship.
Liaising with the Admissions Manager on Homestay arrangements.
Managing both electronic and hard-copy documents related to Homestay and Guardianship, ensuring that Homestay provider documents are filed in the Homestay folder and student documents are placed in individual student files.
Collaborating with the Student Counsellor to address any student issues arising from Guardianship or Homestay arrangements that may require counselling support.

Requirements

To ensure we can provide the best care and support, parents of international students under 18 are required to:

Provide details of the designated guardian and accommodation provider (which can include a relative) for the student's study period at Pal Buddhist School. Alternatively, parents can seek our assistance in finding a suitable guardian by completing the 247-FM-PBS Under 18 Guardianship Form.
Disclose any medical conditions, disabilities, or special circumstances that may affect the student's studies in the International Student Application Form.
Indicate on the application form if assistance is needed with accommodation, guardianship, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), or airport pick-up.

If required, Pal Buddhist School can arrange:

Guardian services through a guardianship organisation (APA Guardianship Services).
Accommodation with carefully selected Homestay providers.
Student counselling services.

When Pal Buddhist School is responsible for approving a student's accommodation, support, and general welfare arrangements for students under 18, we will:

Specify the dates for which we accept responsibility for approving the student's accommodation, support, and general welfare using the official PRISMS pro forma letter.
Notify the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) in writing of the approval, using the specified PRISMS pro forma letter.
Maintain documented procedures for verifying the suitability of the student's accommodation, support, and general welfare arrangements, including guardianship provided by a nominated relative or a Guardianship Company.
Inform DIBP as soon as possible if an under-18 student changes their living arrangements or if Pal Buddhist School no longer approves of the arrangements, using the specified PRISMS pro forma letter.
In cases where Pal Buddhist School terminates, suspends, or cancels a student's enrolment, we will continue to monitor the suitability of their arrangements until:
The student is accepted by another registered provider, and that provider assumes responsibility for approving the student's accommodation, support, and general welfare arrangements.
The student departs from Australia.
Other suitable arrangements are made that comply with the Migration Regulations.
Pal Buddhist School reports that it can no longer approve of the arrangements for the student.

When a student's parents have nominated a relative or another suitable person over the age of 21 to act as the student's guardian, Pal Buddhist School will:

Contact the nominated guardian by phone within one week of the student's arrival in Australia.
Visit the nominated guardian to verify their identity and accommodation arrangements.
Provide the nominated guardian with a copy of the Pal Buddhist School Child Protection Policy.
Give the nominated guardian the contact details of the Student Services Officer and the Pal Buddhist School Student Counsellor.
Contact the nominated guardian by phone each term to discuss the student's progress and their satisfaction with the guardianship arrangements.

Procedure for Selecting Homestay Providers

Pal Buddhist School partners with Australian Homestay Network (AHN) to manage Homestay accommodation. If AHN cannot provide enough hosts, the Student Services Officer will:

Advertise for Australian host families in the Inner West Courier, Southern Courier, Wentworth Courier, and Central Courier.
Respond to initial inquiries received by phone or email.
Send application forms to potential Homestay providers, including:
251-FM-PBS Homestay Profile form.
230-FM-PBS Homestay Provider Agreement.
038-PP-PBS Child Protection Policy.
Working with Children Declaration and Consent form: https://check.kids.nsw.gov.au/background-check-consent.php.
Inspect the Homestay Provider's household and screen the host family to ensure the quality of accommodation, using the 281-FM-PBS Homestay Inspection Checklist. This includes verifying the number and ages of residents, fire safety assessment details, public liability insurance, and lease copies (if applicable).
Review the completed checklist with the Principal and/or Deputy Principal to determine the applicant's suitability as a Homestay provider.
Submit the Working with Children Consent forms to the relevant screening authorities before making a final decision on the Homestay provider's approval.
Inform the Homestay applicant of the outcome in writing.
Facilitate the signing of two copies of the 230-FM-PBS Homestay Provider Service Agreement, with one copy for the provider and one for Pal Buddhist School.
Add the Homestay provider's details to the Homestay database.

Pre-arrival Procedure for Homestay Students

Pal Buddhist School works with Australian Homestay Network (AHN) to manage Homestay accommodation. If AHN cannot provide enough hosts, the Student Services Officer will, before a student's arrival:

Select a potential Homestay provider from the Homestay provider list.
Confirm that a current Homestay Provider Service Agreement is in place and contact the chosen Homestay provider.
Visit the Homestay provider's premises to conduct an inspection (for new Homestay providers).
Ensure that current providers have the necessary Working With Children documents.
Coordinate with the guardianship provider (APA Guardianship Services) to:
Identify a suitable Guardian (if needed).
Arrange airport pick-up.
Assist with the student's initial settling-in with the Homestay host.
Visit the student's confirmed accommodation to inspect the premises, meet the responsible adult, and confirm the suitability of the arrangements, considering any special requirements the student may have, one week before the student's arrival.

Arrival Procedure for Homestay Students

The Student Services Officer will arrange for APA to be the student's Guardianship Service Provider (if they do not have one). Upon the student's arrival, the Student Services Officer will:

Coordinate with the guardianship provider to arrange airport pick-up for the student, if required (as per the Airport Pick-up policy).
Confirm that the student has arrived safely at their Homestay.
Ensure the student has all the necessary information to settle in and attend the orientation session.

Post-arrival Procedure for Homestay Students

Pal Buddhist School partners with Australian Homestay Network (AHN) for Homestay accommodation. If AHN cannot provide enough hosts, the Student Services Officer will, at the end of the first 4 weeks of Homestay:

Send a 249-FM-PBS Homestay Service Review Questionnaire to the student and a 250-FM-PBS Homestay Provider Service Review Questionnaire to the Homestay provider, requesting their completion and return.
Analyse and address any issues raised by the student or the Homestay provider regarding the service, in consultation with the Principal and/or Deputy Principal.
File the returned questionnaires in the student's file and the Homestay folder.

The Guardianship Service provider, APA (if these services are used), will:

Meet with the student within three days of their arrival in Sydney to ensure they have settled into their Homestay and are prepared for orientation and the start of their course.

Monitoring Homestay Procedure

Pal Buddhist School works with Australian Homestay Network (AHN)