The Australian Institute of International Understanding

An Australian registered and recognised student exchange organisation.

The Australian Institute of International Understanding (AIIU) is a registered not-for-profit student exchange organisation operating Australia wide since 1987.

Over the past 36 years, AIIU has supported and provided Study Tour and Student Exchange Programs for over 80,000 international students from various countries around the world.

AIIU has welcomed international students from Japan, China, Korea and Indonesia and is aiming to expand to France, Italy and Spain in the near future.

Outbound and inbound student exchange programs are also offered by AIIU for students wishing to travel to and from Australia to and from the forementioned countries to study internationally.

AIIU’s homestay and study tour programs provide the affordable opportunities for international students to improve their English language skills while allowing them to experience the Australian way of life and culture.

Australian host families and hosting schools also benefit from the cultural and educational experiences of AIIU’s programs by getting to chance to learn about a different culture also.

AIIU aims to promote understanding, friendship and kindness through the interactions of different nationalities, cultures and languages within Australian homes, schools and communities.

AIIU upholds a strong regulatory framework and within, a high level of policies, procedures, and guidelines that we employ within the organisation and with our exchange students, our volunteer host families, and schools.

AIIU is listed as a registered Student Exchange Organisation and Study Tour Operator with the following regulatory state and territory authorities, which allows us to work with both public and private secondary schools:

Victoria – Victorian Regulation and Qualifications Authority (VRQA)

Queensland – Education Queensland International

New South Wales – NSW Department of Education and ACT

Western Australia – Tafe International

South Australia and Tasmania

Child safety and wellbeing is critical to AIIU, and our organisation is vigilant in complying with child protection laws in all states and territories. Our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of our students.

As a registered homestay provider, child safety and wellbeing is critical to AIIU, and our organisation is vigilant in complying with child safe standards and child protection laws in all states and territories. Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our students.

We provide personalised support and care to our students with 24-hour care during the stay and each student is assigned a local group coordinator who they are free to contact at any time should they wish to discuss any issues or concerns. Support Officers also visit the students regularly during the program.

AIIU maintain the standards of safety and complete all the necessary background and situational checks including host family home visits.

AIIU takes the Child Safe Standards seriously. It has updated its policies and procedures to align with the Child Safe Standards, setting out AIIU’s commitment and approach to keeping children, young people and students safe across all its programs.

At the Australian Institute of International Understanding we are excited to embark on this journey with you, where education knows no bounds, cultures converge, and lifelong friendships begin. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any inquiries, and let’s together create memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you for considering AIIU. We look forward to connecting with you soon!

To apply to host a student, please:

Click here

I could go on for years about all of the things that I have been blessed with experiencing. My host families have been extraordinary and I really felt at home there!

Casey

Living in Japan improved my Japanese, so after returning to Australia I was able to to go straight into the advanced stream of Japanese at university.

Taylah

I cried for the first time in forever. Although I also ended up smiling. I can’t be sad that it’s over, as I’m so happy it happened. Thank you everyone who helped my exchange happen!

Danson

An experience I will never forget. I enhanced my Japanese skills and made connections with friends that feel like family now. AIIU was a great exchange program!

Alex

My ten month exchange in Japan was an experience I will never forget. AIIU give students like me a once in a lifetime opportunity which I am truly grateful for.

Taylah

Respect for other people came through strongly in our student’s actions. We saw her becoming more confident and willing to engage in conversations.

Host Mother

There is a special place in my heart for my Japanese friends, and I’ll always keep coming back to them. Thank you for the best year of my life!

Sasha
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