Blue cards for child accommodation and homestay providers
A person who provides homestay accommodation for a child—organised through a school or other organisation—for more than 7 days in a calendar year must have a blue or exemption card under the Child accommodation services (including homestays) category of regulated employment or business.
All adults residing in the home are considered to be volunteers, even if they’re not actively involved in providing the homestay services.
Things to consider when deciding if a person is residing in your home include:
- the length of their stay
- whether your home is their principal place of residence
- whether they have listed your address for an identity document (licence or other mail).
Homestay providers must ensure they include policies and procedures about the expected standards of conduct for people visiting/staying during homestay periods within their child and youth risk management strategy. Failure to comply with blue card obligations may be an offence and penalties can apply.
When you don’t need a blue card
- Any person under 18 residing in the home.
- Family members or friends visiting overnight.
- A relative who provides homestay services to a child.
- A homestay student who is turning 18 during their stay, but they are only staying in the home temporarily.
- An overseas teacher who accompanies a study group and does not provide any other services or activities to other children in Queensland.
- An international student over 18 who is temporarily staying in the home where homestay services are provided.
When you do need a blue card
- All adults 18 and older residing in the home must have a valid blue or exemption card.
- If a homestay student will be turning 18 during their stay, and they are a resident of the home, they will need a blue card.
- Sworn police officers and registered teachers require an exemption card when providing homestay to students at a school.