Code of Practice
Preamble:
The purpose of this Code of Practice is to provide a framework of student exchange industry standards in Australia. Membership of CASEO is dependent on agreement with, and adherence to, these standards.
The Code:
CASEO members will:
Student Welfare and Support
Place the welfare, support and duty of care to student participants as the primary priority in all aspects of their organisation's business and satisfy themselves that their overseas partners operate to the same standards.Host Family and Volunteer Screening
Fulfil all recruitment, selection and screening of Australian host families and volunteers in accordance with state and territory government regulations, Working with Children, Child Protection and Prohibited Employment screening procedures. Satisfy themselves that their overseas partners carry out the same responsibilities in accordance with their applicable statutory requirements.Local Support Structure
Maintain a local support structure for student participants that provides first level assistance and problem resolution. Ensure local coordinators have access to professional guidance and training to assist in carrying out their duties.Program Policies and Procedures
Maintain up‐to‐date Program Policies and Procedures to ensure program staff and coordinators are well trained and resourced in the discharge of their responsibilities. Program Policies and Procedures will be well documented, updated on a regular basis and readily available to staff.Emergency Response
Have in place a 24/7 emergency response system that is known to students, parents, host families, volunteers and partners. Staff will be trained in the handling of emergencies.Equity
Provide publicly available statements of: Terms and Conditions of Participation; Cancellation and Refund Policy; Program Fee Inclusions and Exclusions and Payment Timeline. Make available to all student participants and their parents a Grievance Procedure for handling complaints that may arise.Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Have publicly available a clear statement of eligibility and selection criteria for student participants, host families and volunteers.Registration
Comply with all regulatory requirements in the states and territories where they operate.Contractual Arrangements with Partners
Ensure appropriate and up‐to‐date contractual arrangements are in place with all overseas partners. Contracts should refer to the existence of this code and the requirement on overseas partners to meet the required standards of care and support.
Compliance:
Each member organisation is responsible for compliance with the Code. The CASEO executive may
respond, by peer review, to written complaints levelled against a CASEO member organisation for
failure to comply with the code.
Indemnity:
Each member organisation indemnifies CASEO and its members against all expenses, losses,
damages and costs (on a full indemnity basis) incurred by or awarded against CASEO arising out of
any claim by any person, in relation to any matter.
Definitions:
CASEO - The Council of Australian Student Exchange Organisations
Code of Practice - this document
Coordinator ‐ the person who supports the exchange student and the host family during the
program
Host family - an Australian or overseas family that volunteers to host an exchange student
Member organisation - Signatory members of CASEO
Overseas Partner - organisations with whom CASEO members have contractual relationships
regarding the sending and hosting of inbound and outbound exchange students
Selection - the process by which students and host families are approved to participate
Staff - employees of CASEO member organisations
Statutory body - Australian federal, state and territory government bodies
Student - a participant on a CASEO member’s high school exchange program (inbound and
outbound)