We are committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people participating in our programs.
AIIU is a study abroad and student exchange organisation. We have long-established international partner relationships that ensure the highest standards of care and support to participants. We maintain a network of volunteer Support Officers who work in support of students and families during the student exchange experience.
Child Safety & Quality Management is Our Priority
All children participating in any of AIIU’s study tours, student exchange or homestay programs have a right to feel safe and be safeguarded from harm. We are committed to the safety and well-being of all children and young people participating in our programs. The welfare of the children in our care will always be our priority. We aim to create a safe and friendly environment where all children and young people are valued, feel safe and are protected. If you believe a child is in immediate danger and need to report an emergency, contact the Police by phoning 000. Suspected child abuse and neglect should be reported to the relevant authority in each state and territory:
- Victoria – Child Protection Emergency Service 13 12 78.
- New South Wales – Child Protection Helpline 13 21 11.
- Queensland – Child Safety Services 1800 811 810.
- South Australia – Child Abuse Report Line 13 14 78.
- Western Australia – Central Intake Team 1800 273 889.
- Tasmania – Child Safety Service 1800 000 123.
- Australian Capital Territory – Child and Youth Protection Services 1300 556 729.
- Northern Territory – Child Protection Hotline 1800 700 250.
Reporting a child safety matter can also be done online here. Our Exchange Program Managers, who have been appointed as a child safety officers for AIIU, are the primary point of contact to provide advice and support to children, parents, employees and volunteers regarding the safety of children in our organisation.
If you wish to talk with any our Exchange Program Managers regarding child safety, they can be contacted on the details below.
Exchange Program Managers – Child Safety Officers for AIIU
National – Mieko Horigome 0456 394 042
Victoria – Kate Bamford 0411 803 885
South Australia – Cathy Rinehart 0418 736 045
Western Australia – Linda Abu Lashin 0433 544 328
New South Wales – Yoshimi Fraser 0449 854 669
Queensland – Cathy Rinehart 0418 736 045
Tasmania – Cathy Rinehart 0418 736 045
Fill out this form to send your matter to all Program Managers at once.
Read our Child Safe Policy Document here
If you wish to talk with any of our Regional Managers regarding child safety, contact Australian Institute of International Understanding here. AIIU is committed to supporting students to express their cultural rights. Whether from Australia or overseas, AIIU supports students to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights while respecting and enjoying their host community’s culture.
We promote the empowerment, participation and rights of children. AIIU is committed to helping exchange students learn about Indigenous culture and history. We act on this commitment by ensuring that our staff, volunteers, students and host families participate in inductions or orientations which contain content that is inclusive and sensitive to Indigenous culture and history.
We commit to the cultural safety of our Indigenous people and work together with our participants and overseas partners to confront and eliminate racism. By undertaking the above, we aim to promote cultural rights and safety of Indigenous children so that their unique identities and experience are respected and valued. Moreover, AIIU works to facilitate that our participants, their families, host families and our staff and Support Officers are representative of the diverse nature of the societies in which we operate.
We promote equity and respect diversity and strive to ensure that our policies and procedures do not exclude anyone who is otherwise eligible to participate on our programs.