Someone in your corner from the first week
Oz Buddy pairs new international students with experienced peers who can answer the small, awkward, and unexpected questions along the way.
Built for students starting fresh in Australia
Newly arrived international students finding their feet
Students who want local guidance from someone who's been there more than 1 year
Anyone looking for connection, belonging and a bit of confidence
Students who want help understanding life, study and community in Australia
What you'll take with you
From application to feeling at home
- STEP 01
Apply to join
Fill in the form to receive an invite via email to an upcoming online induction session.
- STEP 02
Get matched
We match you with an experienced student who understands your interests and location.
- STEP 03
Connect & chat
Reach out, share questions, grab a coffee, and get honest local guidance.
- STEP 04
Settle in
Move through your first 6–8 weeks with more confidence and community, and receive a certificate of recognition when you complete the program.
The early months matter most
Oz Buddy helps turn early confusion into confidence, and a city full of strangers into a place with at least one familiar face. Peer support connects new students with trained peers who can answer questions, share local tips, and check in regularly during the semester.
Hear from students
"My buddy answered the questions I was too embarrassed to ask anyone else. By month two, Sydney finally felt like somewhere I lived, not just somewhere I was visiting."
"I arrived knowing no one. Having one person who'd been through it already made everything less scary from public transport to making friends in class."
"It didn't feel formal. It felt like a friend showing me around. That's exactly what I needed in my first semester."
Things students usually ask
Start your Australian journey 🇦🇺
You don't have to figure it all out alone. Get matched with an Oz Buddy and settle into life, study and community in Australia.