World Education Program (WEP) Australia was formed in 2001 in cooperation with WEP International. WEP International (which now has offices in Belgium, Italy, and Argentina) was the result of a conversation between two former Belgian exchange students who decided that they wanted to enable other young people to experience the adventure of student exchange. Nineteen years on, WEP International has opened the door for thousands of students, providing them with a rewarding and successful future through education abroad.

Although WEP Australia is relatively young, its staff are very experienced in student exchange. Director Carleen Wheeler has been involved in preparing, sending and supporting Australian students overseas and welcoming international students into Australian schools and homes for over eighteen years. Carleen was previously Director of the student exchange organisation, International Education Forum (IEF) Australia, and secretary of umbrella group, National Exchange Organisation Forum (NEOF), for many years. Both her children have been on exchange and she has hosted numerous times - just recently she received a phone call from one of her German exchange students letting her know he had just become a father.

Student exchange in Australia is regulated rigorously by the education departments; organisations must be incorporated as non-profit bodies, abide by strict controls relating to immigration and education requirements, only work with voluntary families and schools, and provide high levels of support to all concerned in the process - the students, their natural families, their host families, schools and communities. The regulations and controls are in place to ensure the safety and security of the programs and participants and WEP Australia guarantees to uphold these rules.

As an incorporated, non-profit organisation registered by education departments to operate secondary student exchange programs, WEP Australia provides the perfect combination of experience and personalised service. With staff having many years experience in the field, WEP Australia has strong relationships with established international partners. The organisation is focused on remaining small enough to get to know its students and to provide a flexible, tailored and quality service to students, families and schools.