The German Australian Students' Society (GASS) is a volunteer run, not-for-profit organisation, affiliated with the Society for Australian German Student Exchange (SAGSE). GASS is the society for returned scholarship students and has branches operating in Victoria and New South Wales.

The Society for Australian-German Student Exchange (SAGSE) awards scholarships to Australian students each year to travel to Germany during their summer holidays. The exchange program aims to give students an insight into a foreign culture and build up links of friendship between the youth of these two countries.

Students will grow considerably in self confidence, tolerance and self reliance through having to accept greater responsibility for themselves and their own actions. To live away from home for the 10 weeks is a demanding yet rewarding experience. It is not always smooth sailing and requires a great strength of character, tolerance and an understanding of personal responsibility.

Students have to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings and ways of life which are different from home. For some it will be the first extended period of separation from their own family. This will bring about many trials and tribulations which they will need to overcome and by so doing develop many a vast array of survival skills.

The exchange provides a unique opportunity for young Australians to experience at first hand the many cultures of a different country, a new way of life and another language, through both hosting a german student, and on the exchange itself. Often, the friendships they make will be life long and important in achieving the aims of the exchange - the building of goodwill and understanding between countries. The Society is registered with the respective Government Authorities in New South Wales and Victoria, and is sponsored by German and Australian businesses, and fundraising activities of past scholarship holders.