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Mentorship Program · Mentees

Become a Mentee

A Mentee is an ICAI member who seeks professional guidance, support, and learning through the Mentorship Program.

Duration 6 monthsOpen to paid Chapter membersFormerly the Buddy Program

Who can be a mentee

Is this for you?

Mentees are proactive learners committed to personal and professional growth, open to feedback, and eager to leverage the experience and insights of their mentors to navigate their career journey with confidence.

Mentees may include:

  • Newly migrated professionals adjusting to life and work in Melbourne,
  • Members returning from a career break,
  • Individuals exploring new career paths,
  • Aspiring leaders or entrepreneurs, or
  • Members pursuing additional qualifications such as CPA or CAANZ.
  • Any member who seeks professional guidance or career development support.

Support areas

What your mentor can help with

Choose the areas you’d like support with in your questionnaire. The Program also helps mentees gain practical insights into the Australian job market, workplace culture and job readiness — resume and CV preparation, interview skills and interacting with recruiters, workplace etiquette, modern tools, and public speaking.

  • Navigating Australian job market / career guidance
  • Leadership development
  • Technical skill enhancement
  • Career transition / industry switch
  • Entrepreneurship / business development
  • CPA / CAANZ qualification guidance
  • Job Readiness & Interview Coaching
  • Public Speaking / Presentation Skills
  • Modern Tools & Tech Skills (Power BI, Power Query, AI, Automation)

Please note: This Program is intended to facilitate professional growth, guidance, and knowledge-sharing among ICAI members. It should not be construed as a job-seeking or recruitment platform, and any such use would be contrary to its purpose. Securing employment, if it occurs, is considered an incidental outcome of meaningful mentoring interactions.

Eligibility

Before you apply

  1. Be a paid member of the Melbourne Chapter of ICAI.
  2. Mentees are typically newly migrated members with less than two years of local experience. However, this does not exclude other members facing career challenges or seeking guidance from participating in the program.

Not yet a Chapter member? Join the Chapter first.

Benefits for Mentees

What you’ll gain

  • Develop communication, presentation, and professional skills
  • Build a professional network, establish a support system, and engage with recruiters
  • Boost confidence and self-esteem through guided learning
  • Engage in discussions on practical and theoretical aspects of accounting in Victoria, Australia
  • Benefit from a confidential platform to discuss workplace challenges, career goals, and skill gaps
  • Receive guidance and direction to achieve career aspirations, develop technical skills, and leverage modern workplace tools
  • Gain insight into the Australian corporate and business environment, emerging technologies, and modern work practices

How to apply

From questionnaire to first meeting

Six simple steps over a six-month arrangement.

  1. Download the Mentee Questionnaire

    Annexure F. It captures your career goals, interests and the areas where you want guidance.

    Annexure F
  2. Complete and email it

    Fill in and sign the questionnaire, then email it to the Mentorship Program.

    By email
  3. Get matched

    The Mentorship Program Committee reviews Expressions of Interest and pairs compatible mentors and mentees based on shared interests and professional objectives.

    Committee
  4. First meeting

    Your mentor leads the initial meetings; together you complete and email the Mentorship Program Arrangement.

    Annexure A
  5. Six months of mentoring

    Meet at your agreed interval — you initiate and schedule meetings and bring an agenda. Your Program Champion checks in along the way.

    Annexure B
  6. Feedback

    At the end of the program, complete the Program Feedback Form.

    Annexure D

Annexure C · Role statement

Your role as a mentee

Responsibilities, suggested approaches and the attributes that make mentorship work.

Specific responsibilities

  • Sign the Mentorship Program Arrangement with the Mentor.
  • Commit to ongoing communication throughout the Program.
  • Initiate the organization of meetings (e.g., develop a schedule agreed by the Mentor).
  • Prepare an (informal or formal) agenda for each meeting by exploring personal strengths and development needs.
  • Attend information sessions or activities for Mentees organized by the Melbourne Chapter of ICAI, if any.
  • Contribute to discussions and assist in resolving issues raised during meetings.
  • Participate in Program evaluation and review.

Suggested approaches

  • Share specific professional interests and learning goals.
  • Reflect on experiences as a professional or migrant in the workforce.
  • Discuss and develop career goals openly.
  • Share hopes, needs, and expectations honestly.
  • Maintain an open mindset and willingness to learn.
  • Actively consider guidance and feedback from the Mentor.
  • Explore different perspectives and insights shared by the Mentor.
  • Apply lessons learned from discussions to personal and professional development.

Key attributes

  • Commit to the Program and show respect to the Mentor.
  • Take responsibility for personal and professional development and opportunities.
  • Seek and apply constructive feedback.
  • Accept new responsibilities and challenges.

Annexure F · Mentee Questionnaire

Ready to be mentored?

To be completed by Mentees and emailed to the Mentorship Program. Download the questionnaire, complete it, sign it and send it in.

me***************@**ai.melbourne

What the questionnaire asks

  1. Mentee detailsName, ICAI Membership No., email, contact number
  2. Professional backgroundCurrent role / employment status, organisation, years of experience, key areas of interest / domain
  3. Career goalsShort-term (1–2 years) and long-term (3–5 years)
  4. Mentorship objectivesThe support areas you’d like from your mentor
  5. Preferred mentoring styleDirective / Advice, Coaching / Facilitation, or a combination
  6. Availability & commitmentMeeting frequency and mode — in-person, virtual or hybrid
  7. Additional informationAnything else that helps match you with a mentor

Before you start

Questions & guidelines

How are mentors and mentees matched?

The matching of mentors and mentees will be coordinated by the Mentorship Program Committee. At the start of the program, both mentors and mentees will complete a brief online questionnaire capturing their career goals, interests, and areas where guidance is sought. While it is recognized that career paths may include sector changes, career breaks, and diverse experiences, the Mentorship Program Committee will make every effort to pair compatible mentors and mentees based on shared interests and professional objectives to maximize the value of the program.

Existing informal mentor–mentee relationships, particularly between experienced members and new migrants, are encouraged to be formalized through this program to ensure structure and mutual benefit.

What if the pairing isn’t working?

If at any point either a mentor or mentee feels that the pairing is not optimal, they may contact their Mentorship Program Champion for guidance or to explore a rematch.

How long does the program run?

The standard duration of the mentoring arrangement is six months. Should both participants wish to extend the mentorship beyond this period, the Mentorship Program Champion will facilitate discussions with the Mentorship Program Committee to support the continuation.

Withdrawing from the program (no-fault closure)

It is acknowledged that not all mentor–mentee relationships may work out due to differences in interests, schedules, or personalities. There may be situations where any of the parties (Mentor, Mentee, or Mentorship Program Champion(s)) wish to withdraw from the Program or require early closure of the Mentorship Program Arrangement. The reasons for withdrawal may vary, and such closures can be conducted as a “no-fault” closure.

A no-fault closure is a respectful, blame-free way to end a mentorship relationship when it is not working effectively, without suggesting that either the mentor or mentee is at fault. A no-fault closure can be initiated by either party. Its primary purpose is to ensure a positive outcome for both participants, without attributing blame to either party. The Mentorship Program Champion(s) may be requested to facilitate this process and support a smooth transition.

Closure should be conducted with professionalism, integrity, and respect. It is recommended to hold a final meeting to:

  • Discuss the reasons for closure,
  • Reflect on the highlights and positive outcomes of the relationship, and
  • Provide constructive feedback to help both parties learn and grow from the experience.

These matters are documented in Annexure D, to be completed by the Mentor, Mentee, and Mentorship Program Champion(s). In all cases, no fault is attributed to either party, and participants are encouraged to engage in future iterations of the Mentorship Program.

Program evaluation and feedback

It is important to formally acknowledge the conclusion of the Mentorship Program Arrangement, even if the Mentor and Mentee agree to continue their mentorship beyond the program period.

At the end of the program, both Mentor and Mentee are requested to complete a Program Feedback Form (Annexure D). This feedback helps assess whether the intended benefits were achieved. The form also provides a structured way to:

  • Recognize the value of the Program,
  • Appreciate the time and contributions of Mentors,
  • Capture lessons learned by both Mentors and Mentees, and
  • Reflect on each other’s professional and personal development.

This evaluation ensures continuous improvement of the Mentorship Program and reinforces a culture of learning, collaboration, and professional growth.

Confidentiality and code of conduct

All participants must uphold the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity throughout the program. Any information shared during mentoring sessions—whether personal, professional, or sensitive—must remain strictly confidential and not be disclosed to any third party without explicit consent.

Participants are expected to:

  • Follow the objectives, guidelines, and spirit of the Mentorship Program
  • Engage respectfully, without judgement or bias
  • Avoid pursuing personal agendas or leveraging the relationship for unrelated purposes
  • Stay within the defined scope and boundaries outlined in this guidebook
  • Maintain professionalism in communication and behaviour at all times

Any breach of confidentiality or inappropriate conduct may result in removal from the program.

Disclaimer

This Mentorship Program is an initiative of the ICAI – Melbourne (Australia) Chapter Inc. and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ICAI India. The program does not guarantee any specific outcomes or results. Its primary purpose is to support new migrants, emerging professionals, and members navigating career transitions in understanding the local business environment and advancing their professional journey in Victoria, Australia.

Participation in the program is voluntary, and both mentors and mentees are expected to contribute equally to the mentoring relationship. Neither the program, its organisers, mentors, mentees, nor the ICAI Melbourne Chapter shall be held liable for any decisions, consequences, or outcomes arising from participation in this program.

Downloads

Forms you’ll need

Download, complete and email your forms to the Mentorship Program.

Annexure F — Mentee QuestionnaireExpression of interest for mentees · PDF
Annexure A — Mentorship Program ArrangementSigned at your first meeting · PDF
Annexure D — Feedback / Closure FormAt the end of the program or on withdrawal · PDF
Mentorship Program GuidebookFull program guide · PDF
Annexure B — Program Structure SampleSuggested 5-stage structure · PDF
Annexure C — Mentor & Mentee Role StatementResponsibilities and attributes · PDF

Completed forms are emailed to me***************@**ai.melbourne.