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School Policies & Important Info |
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Secondary Student Exchange Programs A secondary student exchange program is a reciprocal program whereby Australian students attend high school and enrol in a full-time school program in another country for a period ranging from three months to one year. Under similar conditions students from other countries undertake study in Australia. All student exchange programs must be conducted through registered exchange organisations. Exchange organisations can be private organisations, state or private schools.
- After the introduction of the full fee paying programs in Australia in 1990 State and Commonwealth Governments agreed to support the continuance of student exchange programs, in recognition of the positive benefits of student exchange programs, with reciprocity of exchange being accepted in lieu of payment of full fees. Exchange programs operate in government and non-government schools.
- A cross-sectoral Registration Committee for International Secondary Student Exchange Programs is responsible for registering exchange organisations in WA and for monitoring their performance particularly in relation to reciprocity. A census of each organisation's inward and outward programs is undertaken annually.
- Registered exchange organisations are responsible for obtaining the correct visa for the exchange student to enter Australia. The Department of Education and Training provides the Acceptance Advice for Secondary Exchange Students (AASES) forms to registered exchange organisations only. An AASES form permits a student to enter Australia and a separate form is required for each student.
- Registered organisations are also responsible for ensuring the payment of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for students. OSHC is a precondition of entry into Australia.
- Student visas will only be issued to students who are attending a full time course of study usually for a period of one year. The minimum period of enrolment can be three months or one term.
- Students from overseas who study in Australia on an approved exchange program will be issued with a 560 visa and are considered as overseas students.
Incoming Students - Registered exchange organisations approach schools directly and normally in advance of placing a particular student to determine whether they are prepared to accept an exchange student.
- The decision whether or not to participate in an exchange program rests entirely with the school. This decision will be based on the school being satisfied with the particular arrangements, with the capacity and support for the program from the school community and with the perceived benefits to the school.
- When approached, schools can assume that a registered exchange organisation will be able to provide adequate local support and pastoral care of the overseas students. Failure to provide appropriate support may lead to deregistration of the exchange organisation.
- Selecting, arranging, vetting and monitoring Homestay is the responsibility of the registered organisations.
- Any concerns regarding an overseas exchange student's welfare, attendance, behaviour or decline in performance should be taken up with the relevant registered exchange organisation.
Outgoing Students - Access to students by registered exchange organisations is at the discretion of the principal.
- Selection and arrangements for students to join an overseas exchange program is a matter between the student, the parents and the registered exchange organisations.
- Schools are not responsible for students while overseas on exchange.
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