Local homestay coordinator for exchange programmes

Partner schools, colleges or exchange organisations pay a fee per placement or a monthly coordination fee. Students' fees may cover this indirectly.

A fee per student placed plus ongoing support payments while they stay, often agreed by contract with each partner.

• Friendly and trustworthy with families
• Organised, with careful record keeping
• Calm when sorting out problems
• Local networking

• Check whether partners require specific training, standards or police record checks for you and host families
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check whether partners expect certain cover
• Check how any contractor income is treated for tax and whether you need a Business Number or GST/HST registration
• Placements depend on a few partners, so one contract ending can affect income
• Check provincial and municipal rules for home-based businesses and homestays
• Quebec has its own rules and French-language requirements

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on insurance, record checks, travel and the tools you use to keep placement records. Check whether your partners expect specific training or cover.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $2,500, depending on how many placements you manage and the fees your partners pay. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours a week. Relying on a few partners means one contract ending can affect income.

Check whether partners require specific training, standards or police record checks for you and host families, and what insurance they expect. Also check how contractor income is treated for tax, Business Number or GST/HST registration, and provincial and municipal rules. Quebec has its own rules.