Access Monash Mentoring

Want to study at university? We'll help you get there!

Access Monash programs open doors to higher education for students from regional, low socio-economic, and Indigenous Australian communities supporting their journey throughout high school and the transition to university.

Through engaging hands-on workshops at schools and one-to-one mentoring, we help students discover their potential and navigate post-school pathways.
Our programs connect thousands of students from diverse communities with the resources, knowledge, and support needed to make university accessible and achievable.

Access Monash Mentoring offers tailored support to Year 11 and 12 students through mentorship from current Monash students. Through engagement with near-peers from similar backgrounds, mentees gain authentic insights into university life while developing their own higher education competencies.

Schools Access Monash programs supports students across secondary school by progressively building the confidence and capacity realise their higher education aspirations.

Access Monash Mentoring

Access Monash Mentoring pairs you with a current university student who has been in your shoes – they have navigated the same questions and challenges every student faces in Year 11 and 12. Across the year, your mentor will help you explore university pathways, demystify VTAC applications, and help you understand what university life is really like.

Through one-on-one sessions, career and course experiences, and campus visits, you'll build the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions about your future. This program is designed for students like you – who might be first in family to consider university, come from regional areas, or who just wants an helping hand to make the transition to university smoother. Your mentor is here to help you along the journey to reaching your goals.

Eligibility
To be eligible students must:

  • Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or holder of an Australian permanent resident or permanent humanitarian visa
  • Be in either Year 11 or 12 in the year they are applying to be a mentee
  • Be currently enrolled at a Access Monash school
  • Be able to provide signed parent/guardian consent form
  • Be considering studying at a university

Eligibility and selection processes are managed by Access Monash and will be assessed based on equity criteria including the applicant’s living location, first-in-family status, and statement of interest in their application. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also eligible.

Applications
Eligible students can apply via our online application form. Students must also provide a signed parent/consent form to complete the application process.

Applications for 2026 will be open on the following dates:

Mentee applications open Monday 2 February 2026
Mentee applications close Monday 16 February 2026

Students applications will be assessed based on equity criteria including the applicant’s living location, first-in-family status, and the statement of interest provided in their application. Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander students are also eligible.

Access Monash will select up to 20 mentees per school, based on eligibility criteria. We acknowledge that this may present challenges for students from larger schools. Should places remain available following the initial selection process, we will endeavour to revisit applications from eligible students.

We strongly encourage all interested students to submit an application.

As an Access Monash Mentor, you'll guide Year 12 students through one of the most pivotal years of their education journey, sharing your authentic experiences and insights to help them navigate the transition to university.

This role offers meaningful professional development – you'll strengthen your leadership, communication and organisation skills through training and practice, connect with a community of like-minded mentors, and directly impact the educational aspirations of young people from backgrounds similar to your own.

Through mentoring sessions, on-campus and school activities, and community connections events, you'll develop capabilities that enhance your employability while making a genuine difference in breaking down barriers to higher education.

Eligibility

  • Be enrolled in 2026 as a Monash University student in Australia
  • Have achieved 50% average in your Monash studies (current students)
  • Completed Year 12 in Australia
  • Be able to commit to mentoring up to 5 mentees
  • Be able to participate in Access Monash Mentoring events
  • Have or be able to obtain a Working with Children Check (volunteer)

Applications
Eligible students can apply via our online application form.

Please note, applications for Mentor positions for 2026 have now closed.

As a Mentor Leader, you’ll take on all the responsibilities of an Access Monash Mentor while stepping into a broader leadership role. You’ll continue to make a meaningful impact on secondary school students from under‐represented backgrounds—helping them navigate VCE or TCE, explore university life and discover their future pathways—while also supporting a team of Mentors to deliver a consistent, high‐quality experience across our partner schools.

As a Mentor, you’ll inspire young people to:

  • Navigate the challenges of VCE and TCE through one‐on‐one mentoring sessions
  • Explore campus and university life
  • Discover potential study and career pathways

As a Mentor Leader, you’ll build on this foundation by acting as a positive role model and drawing on your own experience to support other Mentors. You’ll:

  • Foster connection and collaboration through training, social events and online group chats
  • Help plan and deliver select Access Monash activities and programs for schools
  • Contribute to a supportive, inclusive and engaged mentor community

Benefits
As a Mentor Leader, you will:

  • Join a community of passionate, like‐minded Monash students
  • Expand your networks and make new friends
  • Gain employment‐ready experience and skills, including:
    • Communication skills through facilitating outreach workshops, supporting one‐on‐one mentoring, and guiding your mentor group
    • Leadership and interpersonal skills by providing guidance, resources and support to Mentors and mentees, and maintaining
      positive relationships with key stakeholders
    • Organisation and time‐management skills by balancing your commitments as both a Mentor and Mentor Leader

Eligibility
To be an Access Monash Mentor Leader, you must:

  • Be enrolled throughout 2026 (semester one and two) as a Monash University student in Australia
  • Have completed at least 12 months of service with Access Monash within the last 2 years
  • Have completed Year 12 in Australia
    Be able to commit to mentoring up to 2 mentees
  • Demonstrate experience in a leadership role and/or community involvement and workshop facilitation
  • Have achieved a 50% average in your Monash studies (current students)
  • Be able to participate in Access Monash Mentoring events
  • Have or be able to obtain a Working with Children Check (employee)

Responsibilities
Access Monash Mentor Leaders

Applications
Eligible students can apply via our online application form.

Please note, applications for Mentor Leader positions for 2026 have now closed.

Access Monash Mentoring is a free program designed to support Year 11 and 12 students as they navigate senior secondary study and explore their future pathways. Our trained Monash student Mentors and Mentor Leaders work closely with young people from under‐represented communities, providing guidance, encouragement and practical insights into university life.

Through one‐on‐one mentoring, on‐campus experiences and school‐based activities, students gain:

  • Support in managing the challenges of VCE or TCE
  • Exposure to different study and career options
  • Opportunities to build confidence, motivation and a sense of belonging in higher education
  • Connections with positive role models who have recently navigated similar pathways

Eligibility
To be eligible your child or students must:

  • Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or holder of an Australian permanent resident or permanent humanitarian visa
  • Be in either Year 11 or 12 in the year they are applying to be a mentee
  • Be currently enrolled at a Access Monash school
  • Be able to provide signed parent/guardian consent form
  • Be considering studying at a university

Eligibility and selection processes are managed by Access Monash and will be assessed based on equity criteria including the applicant’s living location, first-in-family status, and statement of interest in their application. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also eligible.

Child Safe Standards
All Access Monash staff including Mentors undergo comprehensive training and hold the required child safety checks. All Access Monash programs are developed and delivered in line with Monash University’s Child Safe Standards Framework.

Tuition

Tuition fees for this program are waived by the host institution. While on exchange you remain enrolled at Monash and continue to pay fees to Monash University. Find out more here.

Cost of living

One semester abroad will generally cost you approximately AUD$10,000 – $15,000, however this varies depending on destination and your individual living standards.

Monash funding

Find out about Monash Abroad Travel Scholarships here.

Find out about Monash University Travel and Placement Scholarships here.

Australian government funding

Find out about the Overseas Higher Education Loan Program (OS-HELP) here.



Arnav and Pranav share their experience being in the program.

Ankita and Ali share their experience being in the program.

Important Links

Already a mentee or mentor?Login here
Apply to be an Access Monash menteeMentee Application Form
Access Monash Mentor MoodleMoodle
Contact DetailsT: +61 3 9903 1197
E: accessmonash@monash.edu

School Access Monash

Schools Access Monash is a program of activities we deliver for our partner schools. Our aim is to encourage and inform students' aspirations to higher education.

Our programs and activities are informed by current research into widening participation in higher education. Students have the opportunity to engage in higher education, experience campus life, and make informed decisions for their future.

Activities in this program are tailored to each year level, with some delivered to whole cohorts and others offered to selected students based on needs and interests.

Building Awareness (Years 7–9)
Students are supported to:

  • Develop an early awareness of higher education
  • Explore their strengths and interests
  • Understand the benefits of further study and the pathways available

Exploring Pathways (Years 9–11)
Students deepen their understanding as they:

  • Experiencing university life through campus visits and exploration of study areas
  • Connect with current Monash students and hear authentic stories about their own university journeys
  • Learn about course prerequisites and entry requirements

Preparing to Transition (Years 11–12)
To prepare for their next steps, students will:

  • Understand the application process for university study in Victoria, as well as equity schemes and scholarships
  • Develop confidence and readiness for the transition to life after Year 12
  • Learn about course offers and acceptances, and support services available at university

Testimonials

Marc, Access Monash Mentor

“I think it's important to be involved in community and offer support wherever you can.”

Marc reflects on his experience as a mentor in the Access Monash Mentoring program.

Pranav, Access Monash Mentee

"I've learnt a lot about university that I didn't know... and I wouldn’t have known until I started university."

Watch to learn more about Pranav’s experience in the Access Monash Mentoring program.

Ankita & Ali

Hear from Ankita and Ali about their journey in the Access Monash Mentoring program.

FAQs