What World Education Program (WEP) Australia does

World Education Program (WEP) Australia is a Melbourne-based not-for-profit student exchange organization that facilitates outbound secondary student exchanges, language study programs, volunteering, and internship placements for Australian participants aged 14 and above, alongside inbound placements of international students into Australian host families and schools. The legal entity, W.E.P. Aust Pty Ltd (ABN 82 098 289 297), operates from Suite 13, 214 Bay Street, Brighton, and was established in 2001 by Carleen Wheeler in cooperation with WEP International (founded 1988 in Liège, Belgium). WEP Australia is registered and approved as an Overseas Secondary Student Exchange Organisation (OSSEO) by education departments across six Australian states and territories (ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC) and is led by CEO Muriel Scheid.

The organization's core product set comprises High School Exchange Programs (placements in 18+ destinations with volunteer host family accommodation and local school enrollment), Language Study Programs (for all ages, from 2 to 52 weeks in partner schools such as CLIC, Expanish, IHC, and IH Valencia), and Volunteering and Internships Programs (requiring minimum 4-month lead time). Adjacent offerings include the WEP for Teachers program, WEP Buddy (a points-based returned-student ambassador program), WEP Cancellation Guarantee, and Protections travel/medical insurance add-ons. Technology infrastructure is described as a service-based operation using an online booking platform (bookings.wep.org) and application management system rather than a proprietary software product.

WEP Australia makes money through multi-tranche program fees set on a cost-recovery basis consistent with its not-for-profit status: High School Exchange participants pay a AUD 100 application deposit plus four instalments of 25% of the program fee; Language Study bookings require a non-refundable AUD 800 deposit followed by staged payments; and Volunteering/Internships bookings require a AUD 500 deposit. Go-to-market combines personalized 1-on-1 consultations (online and in-person at the Melbourne office), free information events (WEP Talks, WEP Buddy Q&A sessions), school presentations, and organic social channels (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook). Distribution is anchored on direct sales through the Melbourne office, self-serve online booking, channel partnerships with Australian schools and IATA airline members, and the WEP International network of partner organizations across 50+ countries that handle local host family screening, school enrolment, and in-country support. Customer segments span Australian secondary students, adult language learners, young adult volunteers/interns, Australian host families, and Australian schools.

Name

World Education Program (WEP) Australia

Legal name

W.E.P. Aust Pty Ltd

Website

https://wep.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

World Education Program (WEP) Australia is a not-for-profit, Melbourne-based student exchange organization facilitating high school exchanges, language study, volunteering, and internship programs for Australians aged 14+ across 18+ destinations, and inbound placements of international students into Australian host families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Exchange and Study Abroad Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Language Schools (611630)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Secondary School Exchange Programs (Academic Year/Semester) (EDAIAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inbound Exchange Hosting & Visiting Student Administration (EDAIABAK), Academic Support, Tutoring & Language Support for Enrolled Overseas Secondary Students (EDAIAHAK), Short-Term Exchange & Visiting Student Programs (EDAIABAG), Paid Placement & Au Pair/Working Holiday Placement Programs (EDAIAFAD), In-Country Placement, Homestay & On-Ground Coordination Services (EDAIAGAM)

Keywords

• Student exchange programs
• High school study abroad
• Language study abroad
• International volunteering programs
• Overseas internship placements

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. High School Exchange Programs: Program fees paid in instalments (application deposit of $100, then four 25% instalments). Fees cover assessment, host family placement, school enrolment, visa documentation, insurance, orientation, return flights, and support services. Additional personal expenses average approximately AUD 500/month.
2. Language Study Programs: Program fees including booking deposit of $800, 30% first instalment within 7 days of confirmation, and final balance 45 days prior to start. Covers course fees, accommodation arrangements, and support services. Return travel and insurance are additional costs.
3. Volunteering and Internships Programs: Booking deposit of $500, 50% first instalment after official acceptance, final balance 45 days prior to departure. Covers placement organization, application processing, and support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WEP Australia organizes outbound secondary student exchanges (ages 14-18) placing Australian students in schools and volunteer host families across more than 50 countries. It also books adult language study programs overseas and arranges volunteering and internship placements. Programs are sold directly to students and families and delivered through an international partner network, with fees paid in instalments covering assessment, host family placement, school enrolment, visa documentation, insurance, orientation, and 24/7 support.

Product overview

WEP Australia offers a portfolio of educational exchange programs centered around its core High School Exchange Programs for students aged 14-18, supplemented by Language Study Programs for all ages and Volunteering & Internships Programs. The organization also operates an Inbound Student Hosting Program for Australian families. Additional offerings include WEP Buddy (a returned student ambassador program), WEP Cancellation Guarantee, and Travel Insurance products. Programs span over 50 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa, with strong partnerships in Italy, Belgium, France, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Argentina, and other nations. The organization operates as a not-for-profit and is registered/approved by education departments in ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, and VIC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High School Exchange Programs Outbound high school student exchange programs for students aged 14 to 18, offering placements in over 50 countries with volunteer host family accommodation, local school enrollment, visa documentation, insurance, orientation, and 24/7 support. Programs range from short-term (under 90 days) to full academic year exchanges.
• Language Study Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000 people choose WEP every year for their overseas experience

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Education Departments (ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEP is officially registered and approved as an Overseas Secondary Student Exchange Organisation (OSSEO) by education departments in six Australian states and territories. Each department maintains oversight and regulatory authority over WEP's operations within their jurisdiction.
• Overseas Partner Organizations (WEP Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEP maintains a global network of partner organizations across Europe, South America, and Oceania that handle local program delivery including host family screening, school enrolment, and in-country support. Offices in Italy, Belgium, France, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Norway, UK, Spain, Switzerland, Argentina, and selected partners in other destinations.
• Australian SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEP works with Australian schools to offer language assistant programs and host family placement for inbound exchange students. The WEP for Teachers program provides educational opportunities to Australian students and school communities.
• Language Schools Partners (Various Countries)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWEP partners with language schools worldwide for language study programs. Partners include schools in Spain (e.g., CLIC, Expanish, IHC, IH Valencia), UK, South Korea, and other destinations. These partners provide course instruction, accommodation arrangements, and local support.
• Insurance ProviderscoreOthersWEP offers custom-made insurance policies specifically designed for program participants through 'Protections' (Basic or Extended Policy), providing coverage for medical expenses, repatriation, and medical liability during overseas programs.
• Airline Partners (IATA Members)minorOthersWEP engages services of IATA airline members on scheduled or chartered basis for flight arrangements. Students are bound by separate contracts with airlines for flight services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Youth For Understanding (YFU): YFU is one of the world's largest not-for-profit secondary school exchange organisations, operating in 60+ countries. YFU competes head-to-head with WEP for both outbound Australian students and inbound host family placements.
• Nacel International: Nacel is a not-for-profit student exchange organisation offering high school programs across multiple countries, directly comparable to WEP in target segment (secondary students), program structure, and not-for-profit positioning.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is a major US-headquartered not-for-profit offering high school exchange, study abroad, and language programs globally, with overlapping product lines (secondary exchange, language study) and not-for-profit status similar to WEP.
• Greenheart Travel: Greenheart Travel operates high school exchange and language immersion programs from a not-for-profit-adjacent model, directly comparable to WEP in target segment, product offering, and not-for-profit positioning.
• Aspect Foundation: Aspect Foundation is a not-for-profit secondary school exchange organisation operating internationally, directly competing with WEP in the same secondary student exchange category with a similar volunteer host family model.
• Student Exchange Australia (SEA): SEA is an Australian outbound student exchange organisation registered across Australian jurisdictions, directly competing with WEP for the same Australian secondary student cohort, host families, and OSSEO regulatory footprint.
• International Student Exchange (ISE): ISE is a not-for-profit secondary school exchange organisation operating in the US and internationally, directly comparable to WEP in mission, program structure (academic year/semester), and OSSEO-style regulatory positioning in Australia.
• AFS Intercultural Programs: AFS is a global, not-for-profit student exchange organization operating in 50+ countries, directly comparable to WEP in mission, secondary school exchange offerings, and volunteer-driven host family model. AFS is WEP's closest international competitor in the OSSEO-regulated exchange space.

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: EF is the global leader in language travel and cultural exchange, offering programs that overlap directly with WEP's language study and high school exchange lines. While for-profit and broader in scope, EF competes for the same Australian student demand.

Emerging players

• GoOverseas: GoOverseas is an online marketplace that aggregates international program providers (language study, volunteering, internships), enabling direct comparison and booking. It does not run programs itself but disintermediates traditional providers like WEP and represents a structural threat to WEP's marketplace position.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WEPAustralia
• Facebookfacebook.com/worldeducationprogramaustralia
• Instagraminstagram.com/wepaustralia
• TikToktiktok.com/@wepaustralia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wep-australia

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about World Education Program (WEP) Australia