How I earned $60,000 TAX EXEMPT as a SAHM
Trang was such a blessing to our family. She loves kids so much, and although she was developing her English language, she connected so well with my children.
To be honest, I didn’t realise how much we had actually received as host parents until a journalist from Kidspot interviewed me one day and asked for the exact figure—or close enough. I went back through the bank statements, added it all up, and... I was floored. Truly. I had no idea it added up to that much. You can read that interview here if you are interested.
Granted, we did host multiple students at once—sometimes three at a time—and with our own four kids in the mix, it was definitely a full house. But honestly? That was my dream. I know that kind of chaos isn’t for everyone, but I’ve always wanted a home full of life and laughter and kids—and that’s exactly what we had. We loved every single minute of it.
Becoming a host parent for international students was, hands down, one of the best decisions we’ve made as a family. Not only did it allow me to earn a generous, tax-free income while staying at home with my kids, but it also introduced us to some lovely people from all over the world. Learning about them and their lives was truely a special and enriching experience.
Hosting definitely helped us hit the road sooner than we’d expected—and made it possible to achieve our dream of travelling full-time as a family around Australia... and now, the world.
Why Hosting Works for Families
For me, hosting international students wasn’t just about the financial benefits (though they were significant!). It was also about providing a safe, welcoming environment for young people traveling far from home, often for the first time.
Here’s what hosting has meant for our family:
Financial Freedom: The allowance we received as host parents was generous and completely tax-free, meaning we didn’t need to declare it as taxable income. This extra income allowed us to save for our dream of traveling full-time while still ensuring our students were well cared for.
Cultural Enrichment: Hosting opened up our kids’ world. They learned about different countries, cultures, and traditions from the students who stayed with us. It’s been amazing to see how patient, kind, and welcoming they’ve become through this experience.
Family Growth: Hosting taught us all how to be more hospitable, adaptable, and open to new experiences. It’s not just the students who learn and grow—it’s the host families too.
The Financial Benefits of Hosting
One of the reasons hosting worked so well for us was that we’d planned ahead to maximise its financial potential. Here’s how:
1. Using Spare Rooms as Income Streams
our home in North Plympton that we renovated and then put an extension. This was to create extra bedrooms, that will generate a passive income for our family, and allow me to be a SAHM.
If you have a spare room—whether it’s a rarely-used guest room or a storage “junk” room—you might be sitting on an untapped income source. We realised this early and decided to invest in our home to create more space.
When we renovated our North Plympton home, we added an extension that increased our three-bedroom house to five bedrooms. This allowed us to host up to three international students at a time (the maximum allowed by our homestay network in SA).
The extra bedrooms not only helped us earn a significant income, but they also increased the value of our property. It was a win-win decision.
2. Tax exempt income
The allowance we received for hosting was classified as tax-free, which made it even more worthwhile. Unlike other income streams, hosting didn’t affect my parenting payments or require me to declare earnings to the tax office.
Tip: If you’re looking for a way to make money from home while staying available to your children, hosting international students is a fantastic option to consider.
Cultural Experiences We’ll Never Forget
Hosting students wasn’t just about finances for us—it was about creating special memories as a family and helping people.
our whole family enjoyed taking our new Japanese student Nancy, and her friend Rio to the Japanese cultural festival in Adelaide. We all learnt so much and the girls enjoyed showing us about their culture.
We’ve loved introducing students to our beautiful city of Adelaide and experiencing their culture in return. One of my favorite memories was taking our Japanese student, Nancy, and her friend Rio to a Japanese cultural festival in Adelaide. Watching them light up as they shared their traditions with us was priceless.
Our kids, too, have benefited enormously from these experiences. They’ve learned to connect with people from around the world, becoming more empathetic, curious, and confident along the way. Little M, our youngest, is adored by all the students who stay with us—they love playing with him, holding him, and even teaching him words in their native language.
Why Hosting Matters
Hosting international students is about more than just financial gain—it’s about providing a safe, supportive environment for young people traveling far from home. Unfortunately, during our time as hosts, we encountered situations where some students weren’t treated well by their host families. It broke my heart, but it also motivated me to encourage more caring, family-oriented households to become hosts.
Why families like yours should consider hosting:
Financial Relief: In today’s challenging economic climate, the allowance from hosting can make a big difference to families feeling the pinch.
Cultural Exchange Without Leaving Home: Hosting gives your family a cultural experience without the need for passports or expensive plane tickets.
A Natural Fit for Families: If you’re already looking after your own children, adding one more (or even two or three) isn’t a big leap. In fact, students often thrive in family environments with children because it feels familiar and welcoming.
What Students Love About Family Hosts
From the students’ perspective, living with a family offers them the authentic Australian experience they’re looking for. Here’s why they love staying with families:
They get to connect with Aussie kids, make friends, and feel part of the family.
Family homes are lively and fun, often filled with shared meals, laughter, and activities.
Parents in host families are often more relatable and supportive, helping students transition more smoothly into their new environment.
Hosting isn’t just a transaction—it’s a relationship. We’ve been privileged to share our lives with students who are eager to learn, experience, and connect, and the bond we form with them often lasts long after their stay.
How Hosting Helped Us Achieve Our Dream
being a host parent to international students is such a rewarding experience, in more ways than one. I hope that our story can inspire you to give it a go.
Right now, as I write this, my family and I are living our dream—traveling full-time across Australia. This dream was made possible, in large part, because of our time as host parents. Hosting allowed us to save, grow, and prepare for a life of adventure, all while staying home with our kids.
If you’re looking for a way to ease financial pressure, give your family a rich cultural experience, and positively impact the life of a young person far from home, hosting international students might be the perfect opportunity for you.
Final Thoughts
Hosting international students has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. It’s brought opportunities we never imagined—financially, yes, but even more so personally—and it’s gifted us memories we’ll treasure forever.
If you’ve got a spare room sitting idle, or you’re craving a bit of financial breathing space in today’s high-cost world, why not consider hosting? It might just be the key to unlocking your next adventure.
our Korean girls were so lovely and enthusiastic. They wanted to experience as much of Adelaide, and Aussie life as possible. It was a privilege to have them stay with us. Plus they were so funny.
Your family’s story could inspire and enrich the lives of students from across the globe—and in return, they’ll enrich yours.
The homestay experience has expanded my children’s worldview in ways no classroom ever could. They’ve learned about different countries, cultures, and family traditions. They’ve learned to be patient, kind, and helpful. And most importantly, they’ve learned how to be truly welcoming and hospitable.
We’re not just raising kids—we’re raising global citizens.
If you would like to learn more about how you can host an international student, or simply want to know what is involved and expected of you, check out our Host Parent Handbook. it is completely free.
Ready to go? fill out this enquiry form and I will be in touch!
