ASEAN-Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program
Building rewarding partnerships with schools in Australia and Southeast Asia. Applications for the third cohort (2026–2027) are open - express your interest in becoming one of 30 participating schools.
About the Program
The ASEAN-Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program is an initiative of the ASEAN-Australia Centre, implemented by Asialink Education (formerly the Asia Education Foundation) at the University of Melbourne.
It connects educators and students in Australia with schools across ASEAN Member States (excluding Indonesia and Myanmar) through structured partnerships, teacher exchange visits and collaborative student projects.
Schools considering an expression of interest can join an online information session to learn more about the program and the application process.
What's included
- A matched partner school in Southeast Asia or Australia, one of 15 new partnerships this cohort
- 4 professional learning workshops for your nominated teacher (two online, two in-person)
- 4 school partnership sessions which includes:
- a school matching ceremony
- a school partnership establishment session
- a student engagement session
- a school partnership showcase
- A funded week-long immersion visit, your teacher visits the partner school, you host one in return
- A collaborative student project with the partner school
- Resources to sustain the partnership beyond 2027
Eligibility
Your school needs:
- Interest in and commitment to global and regional (ASEAN-Australia) engagement
- Commitment to sustained engagement with one partner school
- Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in nominating participating teachers and students
- Ability to host one educator for a one-week school visit
- Supportive school leadership
- Reliable internet access
Your nominated teacher needs:
- Suitable teaching qualification and registration (bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
- 18-month commitment, including participation in professional learning workshops, reciprocal immersion experiences and school partnership collaborative activities
- Adhere to reporting requirements
- Advanced English language skills: minimum IELTS score of 6 or equivalent
- Sound computer skills
School location
All Australian schools are eligible.
ASEAN Member States (excluding Indonesia and Myanmar) schools
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- Lao PDR
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
What's involved
Each school nominates one teacher to take part in 4 professional learning workshops (two online, two in-person), 4 school partnership sessions, help coordinate the partnership, and visit their partner school for a week, while hosting a visiting teacher in return.
A group of 8 students takes part in a collaborative project with their partner school, to be presented at a joint showcase.
Key dates
November-December 2026: Partnerships established
February 2027: Professional learning workshops commence
January/April 2027: Australian teachers visit their ASEAN partner school
June 2027: ASEAN teachers visit Australia; two-day Melbourne immersion for both ASEAN and Australian teachers before the school visits.
Online information session
Join a virtual information session to learn more about the ASEAN-Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program and the expression of interest process.
Date: Wednesday, 9 September 2026
Time: 4.00pm – 5.30pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
Apply
Submit an expression of interest by Sunday 4 October.
We'll confirm selected schools by October 2026 and match you with a partner school shortly after.
Frequently asked questions
Testimonials
I have learned and exchanged so many useful teaching experiences with my school partnership. Our discussions and classroom observations have provided me with hands-on teaching techniques that I can apply in my context back in Thailand.
Thai Educator
We understand that our education systems differ, particularly in terms of the structure and years of schooling, but what has shone through is the shared commitment to impactful, inclusive, and student-focused education.
Australian School Principal
Read more
Enquiries
For all enquiries, please email our friendly team at asean-bridge@unimelb.edu.au
The ASEAN–Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program is an initiative of the ASEAN–Australia Centre and is implemented by Asialink Education (formerly Asia Education Foundation) at the University of Melbourne.