Information for students and parents
What is the main focus of a student exchange program?
The purpose of student exchange is to engage in study and experience a new culture. Secondary student exchange students must enrol as full-time secondary students at a recognised secondary institution in a recognised course of study.
Can I choose a specific school or location in NSW and determine my own course of study?
This may not be possible through a student exchange. If you wish to select a school and a course of study in NSW, the NSW Department of Education and Communities provides a range of programs such as Study Abroad and Study Tours.
What countries can I visit as a student exchange student?
The most popular overseas destinations for Australian exchange students are USA, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Canada, Belgium, Spain and Argentina, although choices are not limited to these countries.
How much do student exchange programs cost?
The cost of a student exchange varies. Charges are determined by registered secondary exchange organisations.
The NSW Department of Education and Communities provides a range of other international student programs such as a Study Abroad and Study Tours.
Can I arrange a 'private' student exchange if I know of a host family and school I want to go to?
No. Student exchange programs in NSW can only be organised through a registered exchange organisation. The NSW Department of Education and Communities provides a range of international student programs that might meet your needs.
What is the minimum and maximum duration for a secondary student exchange in NSW?
The minimum period for a secondary student exchange in NSW is 3 months or one school term and the maximum is one year.
How do I know if my child will be safe while on a student exchange program?
Individuals should only deal with registered secondary student exchange organisations. Registration requires compliance with NSW child protection procedures, host family screening, safe and supervised travel, adequate accommodation standards and emergency contact procedures.
Who do I contact regarding my satisfaction/dissatisfaction with a specific student exchange?
In the first instance, contact should be made with the exchange organisation. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, contact should then be made with DEC International.
Information for students and parents
What is the main focus of a student exchange program?
The purpose of student exchange is to engage in study and experience a new culture. Secondary student exchange students must enrol as full-time secondary students at a recognised secondary institution in a recognised course of study.
Can I choose a specific school or location in NSW and determine my own course of study?
This may not be possible through a student exchange. If you wish to select a school and a course of study in NSW, the NSW Department of Education and Communities provides a range of programs such as Study Abroad and Study Tours.
What countries can I visit as a student exchange student?
The most popular overseas destinations for Australian exchange students are USA, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Canada, Belgium, Spain and Argentina, although choices are not limited to these countries.
How much do student exchange programs cost?
The cost of a student exchange varies. Charges are determined by registered secondary exchange organisations.
The NSW Department of Education and Communities provides a range of other international student programs such as a Study Abroad and Study Tours.
Can I arrange a 'private' student exchange if I know of a host family and school I want to go to?
No. Student exchange programs in NSW can only be organised through a registered exchange organisation. The NSW Department of Education and Communities provides a range of international student programs that might meet your needs.
What is the minimum and maximum duration for a secondary student exchange in NSW?
The minimum period for a secondary student exchange in NSW is 3 months or one school term and the maximum is one year.
How do I know if my child will be safe while on a student exchange program?
Individuals should only deal with registered secondary student exchange organisations. Registration requires compliance with NSW child protection procedures, host family screening, safe and supervised travel, adequate accommodation standards and emergency contact procedures.
Who do I contact regarding my satisfaction/dissatisfaction with a specific student exchange?
In the first instance, contact should be made with the exchange organisation. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, contact should then be made with DEC International.
Information for principals and school administrators
International Student Exchange in NSW: Information for school Principals and school administrators (pdf 74 KB). This 3 page document has useful information about student exchange.
Does the Principal need to seek approval to take an exchange student?
The decision to accept or decline a place for an exchange student is at the Principal's discretion. Principals should only deal with registered student exchange organisations.
If the Principal determines that a place at school is available, then an agreement may be entered into with the registered organisation. The organisation will then apply for an Acceptance Advice for Secondary Student Exchange (AASES) form
What is an AASES form?
AASES stands for 'Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student'. The AASES form is the official student exchange visa/immigration document distributed by the NSW Department of Education and Communities. It is the equivalent to an 'Authority to Enrol' form and is only used for secondary student exchanges. See page 24 of the National Guidelines for a sample AASES form (pdf 1,052 KB).
The AASES form is used for the processing of the 571 visa and for enrolment in NSW schools. Without an AASES form, a student cannot be considered a student exchange student and should not be enrolled.
On enrolment of an exchange student, the Principal completes Section D of the AASES form, keeps a copy of the AASES form with the student's file and returns a signed copy to the exchange organisation so that it may be returned to the NSW Registration Committee.
The exchange student has a Visa - Subclass 571, isn't this for fee paying students?
Student exchange students and international students are both issued with Subclass 571 Student Visas as long as they are enrolled as full time secondary students in a recognised course of study.
The proof that a student is a student exchange student is the AASES form. See page 24 of the National Guidelines for a sample AASES form (pdf 1,052 KB).
Please note that a student exchange student is NOT a student on a Temporary Visa or a full-fee paying international student.
Are exchange students eligible for free travel passes?
In NSW, secondary exchange students are entitled to free student travel passes if they meet the requirements applicable to NSW school students. Applications to travel companies for travel concessions should state that the student is on a secondary student exchange program. The AASES form can be used as proof. See page 24 of the National Guidelines for a sample AASES form (pdf 1,052 KB).
What do I do if I have an issue with any part of the student exchange program?
If an issue related to a student exchange cannot be dealt with satisfactorily at the school level, contact should be made with the registered organisation. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached with the organisation then contact should then be made with DEC International.
Information for student exchange organisations
The NSW Registration Committee for International Secondary Student Exchange
This official state regulation body is responsible for:
Organisations and schools seeking registration in NSW
The National Guidelines for the Operation of International Student Exchanges 2011 were endorsed by the NSW Registration Committee for International Secondary Student Exchange for operation within NSW from 1 January 2012.
Australian based organisations and NSW government and non-government schools can apply to be registered as student exchange organisations within NSW using the application form below.
A requirement of the National Guidelines 2011 is that student exchange organisations must notify the Registration Committee before a student leaves on an outbound exchange. Organisations should complete the NSW Outbound Register (xls 42 KB) and email it to studentexchange@det.nsw.edu.au
Working with Children Checks
The NSW Registration Committee for International Student Exchange requires that in NSW each adult member of the host family undergoes a Working with Children Check conducted by the Employment Screening Unit (ESU) of the NSW Department of Education and Communities.
The student exchange organisation must arrange for all adults in host families to complete the Applicant Declaration and Consent form (pdf 70 KB) and sight 100 points of identification. The Employer Request for Background Check form (pdf 93 KB) is then sent to the Employment Screening Unit.
Registration with the Employment Screening Unit can be made by telephoning (02) 9836 9200 or by email to esumail@bkesu.det.nsw.edu.au. A customer service officer will be able to provide the required information and advice in both the initial registration and ongoing screening process.
Please note: A new Working with Children Check is coming soon in NSW. The date will be announced once the regulation is published. In the meantime, the current check applies. Find out more about the New Working With Children Check
How to obtain a police certificate in specific countries
Exchange organisations must adequately screen and select exchange student host families of all in-bound and out-bound students. The document, Character Requirements, How to obtain police certificates, November 2011 provides advice on how to obtain a police certificate in specific countries.
