15 September 2025

Be rewarded, grow your skills, and connect with your uni community: Become a Faculty Peer Mentor

University is more than just assignments and lectures – it’s also about connection, growth, and community.

If you’re keen to build your confidence, develop leadership and communication skills or simply give back, faculty peer mentoring is for you. Mentoring offers a rewarding way to make your time at university more meaningful.

Also, if you’re a domestic undergraduate student who’s thinking about helping new students by becoming a faculty peer mentor, you may be eligible to access the Faculty Volunteer Peer Mentor Support Scheme. This is a  $700 payment funded by a Commonwealth Government grant as an equity initiative via the Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program (HEPPP) to help with costs such as travel, parking or time off work.

If eligible, you may receive a $700 payment for participation each study period you mentor—funding is limited so you need to apply to be a faculty mentor now!

The $700 support meant I could step away from my casual job and fully engage in OWeek, café catch-ups and social events. Nothing compares to being able to meet and engage with people in person!

Why should I be a faculty peer mentor?

Peer mentors play an important role in helping new students settle into life at Deakin, build meaningful connections and make a great start to their studies.

Being a peer mentor offers you a chance to make a real impact – not just for new students, but for yourself too! As a mentor you’ll be supported through your faculty peer mentor training, and have an opportunity to:

• Develop leadership and communication skills (training provided)
• Make friends and meaningful social, and professional connections
• Give back to your faculty and the Deakin community
• Earn recognition and awards for your valuable contribution.

Being a peer mentor is rewarding

Don’t just take our word for it! We asked some of our Business and Law mentors to share what mentoring means to them, and how the experience impacted their academic and personal journey.

Macey
‘This program changed my whole perception of myself. I now back myself to take on new challenges personally and professionally. Time with my mentees has taught me the importance of vulnerability, strong communication and advocating for yourself and your needs. I’m proud of my accomplishments and growth.’

Jessica
‘Mentoring helped me build transferable skills like communication and leadership. I have enjoyed getting to meet new people, making new friends and helping students through their transition to university. The support scheme made it easier to get involved — covering costs like transport, parking and time off work. The mentor program is extremely flexible and rewarding. I strongly encourage others to consider mentoring in the future.’

Alexandria
‘I developed initiative by organising meetings and supporting mentees. It helped me refine how I share knowledge and guide others with clarity and confidence. Living out of home is expensive. The $700 helped with groceries and transport, giving me flexibility to contribute more as a mentor.’

Jeremy
‘At first, mentoring seemed intimidating, but once I started, I felt right at home. Mentoring helped me develop the communication and leadership skills to hold longer conversations, build connections and be more engaging. I am a proud recipient of the $700 grant, which meant I could cancel work shifts to mentor and not worry about financial strain. I even received an Outstanding Contribution Award which was another great highlight.’

Jeremey (left) and Macey (right) receiving their Mentor Awards for their contribution to the program.

You really feel part of a community. I’ve made connections with mentors, mentees and staff. It was a personally rewarding program where I was valued and could help mentees navigate the challenges I also faced and have now learnt from!

Ready to apply?

Join the Trimester 3, 2025 or Trimester 1, 2026 intake! Check specific eligibility requirements for your faculty and application closing dates through the webpage for your faculty listed below.

Once confirmed as a mentor in one of the faculty programs you may apply for the $700 support scheme, if you meet eligibility criteria. Apply early to avoid disappointment as there are limited number of support schemes available.

Need more information?

See the Peer mentoring webpage for more details.

My mentees were kind and grateful. Being able to show them the ropes and support them made me feel like I was truly contributing and supporting others.