Overseas Secondary Student Exchange Organisations

A student exchange program is a secondary school program organised by a VRQA approved organisation or school to broaden students’ educational experiences and intercultural understanding. The programs range from 29 days to one year in duration.

The VRQA has responsibility for the approval and quality assurance of student exchange organisations under section 4.5A of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.

List of overseas secondary student exchange organisations

For a list of overseas secondary student exchange organisations approved by the VRQA and their contact details, see: Student exchange organisations (PDF - 47Kb)

Visa requirements

International exchange students enter Australia on a 571 Student Visa with a specific exchange student statistical code. The student is enrolled within the school, studying formal subjects at age appropriate levels. Typically, student exchanges operate at Year 10 level. 

In order to obtain a student visa to study in Victoria, the student must enter Australia under the auspices of an approved student exchange organisation.

Approval of student exchange organisations

Approved student exchange organisations must meet VRQA guidelines and conditions of approval for both international ‘in-bound’ exchange students and for Victorian students travelling overseas on ‘out-bound’ student exchange programs.

In December 2011 the VRQA Board approved revised VRQA Guidelines, conditions and application forms for the approval of overseas secondary student exchange organisations 2011. (PDF - 469Kb) 

The revised 2011 VRQA guidelines incorporate changes to the National Guidelines for Operation of International Secondary Student Exchange Programs in Australia and apply to:

  • all new applications for VRQA approval to provide student exchange programs in Victoria from 1 January 2012 and
  • all current VRQA approved student exchange organisations from 1 July 2012.

Note: Current VRQA approved student exchange organisations remain subject to the VRQA Guidelines, conditions and application forms for the approval of overseas secondary student exchange organisations 2008 until 30 June 2012. (PDF - 447Kb)

New applications for approval to provide student exchange programs

Registered schools or not-for-profit organisations seeking VRQA approval to provide student exchange programs into and out of Victoria should apply to VRQA using the application form included in the VRQA Guidelines, conditions and application forms for the approval of overseas secondary student exchange organisations 2011.  (PDF - 469Kb)

Please contact the VRQA if you have any questions about the approval process.

Student exchange forms

VRQA approved Student Exchange Organisations should use the following forms when requesting AASES forms for new in-bound exchange students, advising VRQA of the details of new out-bound students or notifying the VRQA of any changes to an exchange students program: