Becoming a BeFam host is simple and rewarding! Just follow these four steps:

1. Fill out our contact form – Let us know you're interested in hosting.
2. Complete your host family profile – We'll send you a form to fill out about your family, home, and lifestyle. This helps us create your family profile (in Japanese). We'll also share our host requirements so you can better understand what it means to be a BeFam host.
3. Schedule an orientation (via Zoom) – Meet with us to learn more about the service and prepare to become a BeFam host family.
4. Start hosting! – Once approved, you'll begin receiving guest inquiries through BeFam. Simply accept the requests that suit your availability and enjoy the experience!

• Create a warm and welcoming environment so your guest can feel comfortable and at home.
• Communicate with your guest in English and support their English learning through everyday conversations.
• Provide a safe, clean, and private room with a proper bed and clean bedding, including bed sheets and pillowcases.
• Provide essential amenities such as toilet paper, towels, and other daily necessities.
• Once a stay is confirmed, we kindly ask host families to avoid any changes or cancellations, as this can greatly affect the guest's plans.

Many of our guests may be traveling abroad for the first time. As a host, your warmth and support can make a big difference in helping them feel confident and cared for.

When you complete your host family profile form, please provide the following details:

• Family & Accommodation – Tell us about your family and the home where guests will be staying.
• Contact Information – Share your address and email (these will not be shown publicly).
• Photos – Upload up to 5 photos of your family, home, or local area to help guests get a feel for their stay.
• Special Considerations – Let us know any important details, such as dietary preferences (e.g., vegetarian) or whether you have pets.

This information helps us create an accurate and inviting profile for your home.

Your photos help tell the story of your homestay, so they should be high quality and showcase your home and family in the best light. We recommend including:

• Your family – A warm, friendly photo of your family to help guests feel more connected.
• Your home – Show both the exterior and interior to give guests a sense of the space.
• Guest room – A clear, inviting photo of the room where guests will stay.
• Shared spaces – Photos of common areas like the living room, dining area, or kitchen.

Great photos make a big difference in helping guests feel excited and comfortable about staying with you!

No, your contact details and full address will not be displayed publicly.

• Only the general area of your home will be shown on your profile.
• Guests will receive your address only after you have accepted their stay and they have paid the deposit (15%).
• For security reasons, your contact details will only be shared with guests after a booking has been finalized.

BeFam guests are Japanese adults (18+ years old) who are respectful, open-minded, and interested in cultural exchange.

Many of our guests are eager to experience life in an Australian home, improve their English, and immerse themselves in a new culture.

If you have any specific questions about a guest before accepting their stay, feel free to reach out to us!

The length of a guest's stay varies—it can be as short as one night or as long as 6 months or more. Most stays are around 2 months.

Guests will request their preferred stay duration, and you have the flexibility to accept or propose alternative dates based on your availability.

To ensure a smooth hosting experience, here are a few tips:

• If you receive a request from a potential guest, be sure to reply promptly and clearly. Regularly check your emails for notifications from guests, and respond to pending messages (e.g., accepting or declining requests) in a timely manner.
• Set clear and respectful house rules to ensure a comfortable environment for both you and your guest. This will help set expectations and create a positive atmosphere.

We will also share a checklist once a stay is confirmed.

Once a guest is confirmed, make sure to:

• Send a welcoming message – Let them know you're excited to host them!
• Confirm arrival details – Ask them to inform you of their expected arrival time and ensure they know how to get to your home.
• Agree on the arrival time – Both you and your guest should agree on a time that works for both of you before they begin their travel.

Yes, as a BeFam host, you will be paid for accepting guests.

You can set your price between AUD 250–420 per week for hosting a guest. An 8% service fee will be deducted from your payment.

If you feel uncomfortable with a guest, we recommend first trying to resolve the issue through open and respectful communication. It's important to discuss any concerns directly with your guest to come to a mutual understanding. If the issue persists, we encourage you to work together with the guest to reach an amicable agreement that is fair for both parties. Should the problem continue, we are here to offer guidance and support to help resolve the situation.

Please update your profile whenever there are any changes to your information. Additionally, if your profile is shown publicly, we ask that you verify it every 2 months. Keeping your profile current helps guests get the most accurate information about your home and family!

If you would like to unpublish your profile, simply contact us, and we will assist you in taking it down.

Yes, all information submitted to BeFam is securely stored and protected. Hosts can rest assured that their private details are only accessible to them and BeFam. We prioritize the security and privacy of our hosts and their personal information.

You do not need to be a native English speaker. However, hosts should be able to communicate comfortably in English, as one of the main goals of the homestay experience is to help guests improve their English through daily conversation.