An Exchange (CASA) program in Australia is a Non-AQF Award qualification registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), classified under Mixed Field Programmes. These programs allow international students — typically enrolled at a partner university overseas — to spend one or two semesters studying at an Australian university, selecting subjects from a wide range of disciplines that align with their home degree. The program falls outside the standard Australian Qualifications Framework because it is not a standalone award; rather, it is a structured academic pathway that enables credit transfer back to the student's home institution. Students may choose from fields as diverse as business, computing, engineering, design, health sciences, humanities, law, and the sciences, making the experience genuinely interdisciplinary and cross-cultural.

These programs are designed for currently enrolled undergraduate or postgraduate students from accredited international partner universities who wish to broaden their academic and cultural horizons. Australian universities maintain extensive global partnership networks, and exchange places are typically governed by bilateral agreements that allow for the reciprocal exchange of students. Because tuition fees are generally paid to the home institution rather than the Australian host university, the financial structure differs from a standard international degree. Employers across a wide spectrum of industries — including multinational corporations, government agencies, NGOs, educational institutions, and research organisations — consistently value the international experience, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication skills that exchange alumni bring to the workplace.

To participate in an Exchange Program at an Australian university, students must be currently enrolled in a degree at one of the host university's accredited partner institutions overseas. Most Australian universities require exchange applicants to have completed a minimum of one full year (or in some cases one semester) of study at their home institution prior to applying. A minimum GPA equivalent is typically required — commonly a GPA of at least 2.5 out of 4.0 on the US scale, or an equivalent academic standing as assessed by the host university. Students must obtain a nomination or endorsement from their home university's international or exchange office before applying directly to the Australian institution.

English language proficiency is a key requirement for all non-native English speakers. As of 2024, the Australian Government's minimum student visa requirement is an IELTS overall score of 6.0 (or equivalent in PTE, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge C1 Advanced), with test results generally valid for no more than two years. Individual universities may set higher benchmarks depending on the faculty or subjects chosen — for example, undergraduate exchange students may need an IELTS of 6.0–6.5, while those selecting postgraduate-level units may require 6.5 or above with no band below 6.0. Students selecting creative subjects such as design, fine arts, or film may also be required to submit a portfolio of work as part of their application.

All international students studying in Australia must hold a valid Student Visa (Subclass 500) and satisfy the Genuine Student (GS) requirement introduced in 2024, which replaced the former Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement. Applicants must demonstrate their primary intention is to study and must show sufficient financial capacity to cover tuition, living costs, and travel — with the mandatory minimum living cost set at AUD $29,710 for a single student for applications lodged in 2026. Additional documentation typically includes academic transcripts, a personal statement or statement of purpose, a passport copy, and a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) once accepted.