Access Monash Mentoring

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

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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. We know that a student’s lived experience can be their greatest strength. We partner with students, schools, and communities to equip them with the tools, networks, and confidence to shape their own future.

Through engaging hands-on workshops at schools, one-to-one mentoring and an online transition program, we help students discover their potential and navigate post-school pathways.

Our free programs connect thousands of students from diverse communities with the resources, knowledge, and support needed to make university accessible and achievable.

Explore Our Programs

Access Monash Mentoring

Access Monash Mentoring pairs you with a current university student who has walked in your shoes. Whether you are the first in your family to consider higher education, coming from a regional area, or simply looking for extra guidance, your mentor is here to help you navigate your options. Together, you will explore future pathways, unpack university applications, and discover what campus 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 a helping hand to make the transition to university smoother. Your mentor is here to help you along the journey to make decisions and reach 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 an Access Monash school
  • Be able to provide signed parent/guardian consent form
  • Be considering studying at a university

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 2027 will be open on the following dates:

Mentee applications open Monday 5 October 2026
Mentee applications close Monday 16 November 2026

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

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 2027 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

Visit the recruitment website

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 5 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

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 menteeComing Soon
Apply to be an Access Monash mentorApply Here
Access Monash Mentor MoodleMoodle
Contact Details T: +61 3 9903 1197
E: accessmonash@monash.edu

Access Monash Navigator

Welcome to Access Monash Navigator

Access Monash Navigator is a free, guided online course for students in year 11 and 12, that gives you the ultimate toolkit to conquer VCE and transition smoothly and confidently into higher education. You will complete challenges packed with game-changing study hacks, insider tips for navigating higher education and the blueprint to super-charge your strengths to help you thrive now, and into your future.

WHY JUMP IN?

  • 100% flexible: From February to October each year, complete your learning modules at your own pace.
  • Built for action: Packed with practical tools you can start using immediately in your VCE studies.
  • Future-ready: Designed to give you an edge now and keep you thriving right through higher education.

Where Access Monash Navigator will lead you

Navigating your future
  • Develop confidence to succeed in VCE
  • Get the inside scoop on higher education systems
  • Master proactive help-seeking habits
Unstoppable mindset
  • Discover how your unique life experiences can be your greatest strengths
  • Turn setbacks into comebacks with real-world strategies
  • Implement smart time-management habits & create balance
Academic advantage
  • Smash your academic goals with high-impact study habits
  • Practice critical thinking skills & write with impact
  • Decode teacher feedback into grade-boosting action
Creating your squad
  • Communicate with influence. Open doors.
  • Build your community of peers and teaching staff to support your learning journey
  • Drive positive community impact

Duration

Access Monash Navigator is a two-year program that begins at the start of year 11 and supports you all the way through until the end of year 12. If you decide to enrol at Monash following your VCE studies, Monash will continue to support you with online and face-to-face transition support opportunities. Eligibility

To be eligible, Year 11 and 12 students must be an Australian/New Zealand citizen, Permanent Resident, or have applied for or hold a Temporary or Permanent Australian Humanitarian Visa AND meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Low socio-economic area: Live in a designated low SES area (if you are unsure, please email us at accessmonash@monash.edu to confirm).
  • Financial hardship: Receive or come from a family that receives a means-tested Centrelink benefit (e.g., Youth Allowance, Abstudy, Health Care Card, Family Tax Benefit A) or can otherwise demonstrate severe financial/agricultural disruption (e.g., drought, natural disaster).
  • First Nations communities: Students who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Students' applications will be assessed based on the equity criteria for this program, listed above, and the statement of interest provided in their application.

We strongly encourage all interested students to submit an application.

Important Information

Access Monash Navigator applications open 5 October 2026
Navigator applications close 16 November 2026
Register for an online information webinarSession 1: 22 October 2026, 6-7pm
Session 2: 29 October 2026, 6-7pm
Session 3: 10 November 2026, 6-7pm
Apply to be part of Access Monash NavigatorComing soon
Contact details T: +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:

  • Experience 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