Information for Student Exchange Organisations

NSW Registration Committee is the official state regulation body responsible for:

• issuing guidelines to organisations and schools seeking registration 
• registering and approving exchange organisations and schools 
• maintaining contact with representatives of student exchange organisations and schools
• conducting annual surveys of registered exchange organisations and schools to ascertain details of their program operations and reciprocity balances
• de-registering organisations and schools that do not comply with relevant standards of operation.

The National Guidelines for the Operation of International Student Exchanges 2011 are 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.

• National Guidelines for the Operation of International Secondary Student Exchange Programs 2011 (PDF 1MB) 
• Application for Registration as a Student Exchange Organisation in NSW (MS Word 97kB)
• Request for Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student (AASES) forms by registered organisation or school (MS Excel 44kB)
• Change of Program Details form (MS Word 50kB)
• Change of Student Exchange Program Details form (PDF 104kB)

The current Guidelines for the Operation of International Secondary Student Exchange Programs in NSW (PDF 1MB) apply to existing registered organisations until 1 July 2012. After this date, all organisations operating within NSW are expected to meet the requirements as stated in the National Guidelines 2011.

Since 28 January 2011, the NSW Registration Committee for International Student Exchange has required 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 49kB) and sight 100 points of identification. The Employer Request for Background Check form (PDF 89kB) is then sent to the Employment Screening Unit.

Registration with the Employment Screening Unit can be made by telephoning (02) 9836 9200 or by e-mail on 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