Peer Mentoring Hub
Whether you're looking to be a mentor or managing a program for our various student communities, we can support you
A central service for peer mentoring
The Peer Mentoring Hub helps student mentors and program coordinators (both students and staff) build strong, effective mentoring programs. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow an existing program, support is available every step of the way.
Offering a comprehensive range of services at the Peer Mentoring Hub, we can help you with affiliation, training, funding opportunities, formal recognition and more.
Vision
Every student at UNSW feels welcomed, connected and supported as they transition into the UNSW community and throughout their university experience.
Mission
Peer mentoring at UNSW enhances the social, emotional, and academic growth of our students through meaningfully facilitated connections with other students through nurturing, inclusive and empowering programs.
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A UNSW peer mentoring program must support positive change and empowerment of our students, ensuring that they achieve their goals, and contribute to the growth and wellbeing of the larger UNSW community.
- The program needs to meet one or more of the following outcomes in alignment with the mission of peer mentoring at UNSW:
- Support the successful transition-in of commencing students at UNSW
- Facilitate connections with other students within their faculty or degree program
- Facilitate connections with students who have similar interests
- Provide opportunities for connection based on academic interest and focus.
- Clarity: The program needs to have a clear framework including structure, purpose, timeframe, and desired outcomes. The roles of mentor and mentee must be clearly articulated.
- Unique offering: For a peer mentoring program to be registered, it must be a unique offering. This means that no other existing mentoring programs offer the same type of mentoring as your proposed program.
- Training: All mentors within a program must complete the Central Peer Mentor training delivered by the Peer Mentoring Hub.
- Staff supported, student led: All peer mentoring programs at UNSW should have access to University staff to assist with the set up, management and delivery of the programs. This includes having an identified unit/team within UNSW to raise concerns or ask questions about any issues within the program.
- Governance: All peer mentoring programs at UNSW must be registered by the UNSW Peer Mentoring Hub on an annual basis.
See also
Why become a Peer Mentor?
As a Peer Mentor, you’ll make a real difference in someone’s journey and gain numerous skills along the way, including communication, leadership and problem-solving. Here are some of the benefits of becoming a Peer Mentor:
- Receive official training and gain essential transferable skills
- Earn a digital credential to verify your skills
- Have your mentoring experience recorded on your Australian Higher Education Graduate Statement (AHEGS)
- Learn key interpersonal, social and professional skills
- Understand UNSW's resources and how to access them
- Make a difference in someone's university journey
- Join our mentoring community and meet like-minded mentees, mentors and staff to build your network.
Our Peer Mentors also have priority access to our suite of professional development opportunities such as the below to enhance your employability.
Leveraging your mentoring experience
How to become a Peer Mentor
Each peer mentoring program may have different requirements. However, you must meet the general criteria to become a Peer Mentor before you can apply for any of the programs:
- Enrolled as a current student at UNSW
- In your second year of UG study or above, OR in your second term of PG study or above
- Able to commit 20 hours across the program period (typically 1 term)
- Have a Working with Children Check (WCC).
Starting and managing a program
Whether you're looking to create a community that we haven't covered or maintaining an existing program, you're at the right place. The Peer Mentoring Hub can walk you through all the important steps and key considerations for your peer mentoring program.
- Starting a program
- Managing a continuing program
Ready to launch a new peer mentoring program at UNSW?
The Peer Mentoring Hub is here to help. Make sure you follow the steps below to start your journey:
- Read our key principles and ensure your proposed program meets our outcomes
- Request a peer mentoring consultation by emailing us at peermentoring@unsw.edu.au. We'll help you set up your program.
Securing affiliation & funding for your program
If you have an existing peer mentoring program, we can help you get affiliated so that your program is officially endorsed by the University. Once your program is affiliated, you may also be eligible for a monetary grant provided by the Peer Mentoring Hub.
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What does affiliation mean for a mentoring program?
Affiliation connects your program with the UNSW Peer Mentoring Hub and recognises it as a University-endorsed peer mentoring program. To affiliate, your program will need to meet a set of requirements, and align with our framework and key principles.
Why should I affiliate my program?
As an affiliated peer mentoring program, you will receive a range of benefits such as:
- Visibility: promote your program on the Current Students website
- Resources: access to tools and templates to help manage your program
- Training: access to training and professional development programs to build your skills
- Recognition: support with AHEGS administration and a digital badge for mentors
- Ongoing support: book a consultation to get tailored advice for new or existing programs
- Funding: apply for a grant of up to $500 (for eligible programs).
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Peer Mentoring Grants
Peer Mentoring Grants are available to help existing programs enhance the student experience in creative and meaningful ways. Whether you're planning a new initiative, event, or a way to strengthen your existing program, these grants can support your efforts to strengthen engagement and connection within your program.
If you're running an affiliated peer mentoring program at UNSW, you're highly encouraged to apply!
Funding: up to $500
Application period: 24 November 2025 - 16 January 2026
Successful applicants advised by: 30 January 2026How to apply
Following your successful affiliation with the Peer Mentoring Hub, program coordinators will receive an application form. This will require details of the event or initiative design such as budget, timeline, and planning.
Eligibility criteria
Grant applications for peer mentoring programs will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Program is delivered by a Club or Society that is affiliated with Arc - UNSW Student Life (Programs led by staff in faculties/schools or divisions are not eligible to apply)
- Program is affiliated with the Peer Mentoring Hub, demonstrating alignment with the UNSW mentoring framework
- Program is AHEGS recognised, submitting all relevant documentation every 3 years
- Funding will support an initiative or event
- Events or initiatives must aim to build a sense of community within the peer mentoring program
- Events or initiatives should consider strategies to minimise financial and student safety risk. If a project is assessed as having moderate or high levels of risk, it will be considered ineligible for funding.
✅ The grant can be used for:
In-person events or initiatives for mentors and/or mentees (can be current or prospective). This can be for:
- Supplies
- Catering
- Venue hire
- Payment of guest speaker
- Entertainment
- Printed collateral
Example of events or initiatives include an opening/closing event, a mid-term event (e.g. study session), off-campus social event (e.g. dinner), inviting alumni or an industry guest, craft session, or weekly social catch-ups for mentors and mentees (e.g. provide catering).
❌ The grant cannot be used for:
- The general running costs for the club or society
- Events or initiatives for general club members (non-mentors or mentees)
- Payment of mentors or coordinators
- Professional development for program coordinators
- Supplying alcohol.
Core commitments & responsibilities
- Acknowledge funding from the Peer Mentoring Grant in all promotional material
- Disclose to the Peer Mentoring Hub:
- Any additional funding
- Additional support or collaboration with other stakeholders
- Any potential or perceived conflict of interests
- Follow guidelines about how the Peer Mentoring Grant is used
- Provide a detailed report at the end of term detailing attendance, feedback from participants, actual spent vs. budget and receipts for all items (template will be provided). Failure to submit a full report and receipts will result in your program being deemed ineligible for a grant in subsequent years and may involve investigation by the Student Conduct & Integrity team.
Any questions about peer mentoring?
Contact the Peer Mentoring Hub to get support on your peer mentoring programs.