Got questions about PEERS® or our programs? You're in the right place. Below you'll find answers to the questions families ask us most. If you can't find what you're looking for, we're always happy to chat.
About PEERS® and Social Skills Australia
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PEERS® (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) is an evidence-based social skills program developed at the UCLA PEERS® Clinic. It teaches the practical skills people use to make and keep friends, such as starting conversations, joining groups, using humour, hosting get-togethers and handling disagreements.
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Social Skills Australia was founded by Christine O'Leary. Christine first discovered PEERS® when her son asked for help with social skills, and they completed the program together with Christine as his social coach. Every group is now led by Certified PEERS® Providers.
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PEERS® teaches clear, concrete steps for each skill, then practises them in session and in real life between sessions. Young people aren't told who to be. They learn tools they can choose to use, and they often notice for themselves what works and what doesn't as the weeks go on.
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Yes. PEERS® has been studied in research trials since it was developed at UCLA, including studies in Australia. Our facilitators deliver the program as it was designed and tested.
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All our programs run online via Zoom, so families can join from anywhere in Australia. Session times are set in Sydney/Melbourne time, so if you're in Queensland or another time zone, check the timetable for your local time.
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Yes. Our free guide, 5 Steps to Making and Keeping Friends, is a good first taste of the program. Get the free guide. You can also see the topics covered each week on our sample content page.
Is PEERS® right for us?
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Our programs are for teens, young adults and adults who want help making and keeping friends. Many participants have autism, ADHD or social anxiety, but a diagnosis isn't required. What matters most is that the young person wants to build their social skills.
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What ages do your programs cover?
Adolescent Program (14 weeks): ages 13–17
Young Adult Program (14 weeks): ages 18–35
PEERS® Dating Intensive (self-paced): ages 16+
Over 30s Social Skills Course (self-paced): ages 30+
PEERS® Self-Paced Course: tailored for adolescents, adults and parents
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No. You don't need a diagnosis or a referral. During your discovery call we'll talk about your young person's needs and whether the program is a good fit.
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PEERS® works best when the young person wants to be there. We only enrol participants who are motivated to learn these skills themselves. If they're unsure, book a call together so they can ask their own questions and hear what the program involves.
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We look at each family's situation individually. Participants need to be able to take part in group conversations on Zoom and practise skills between sessions. Talk to us on your discovery call and we'll work out together whether PEERS® is the right fit.
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Each week covers one skill. Topics include trading information, two-way conversations, electronic communication, choosing friends, using humour, entering and exiting conversations, hosting get-togethers, handling arguments and bullying. Adolescents also cover sportsmanship and reputations, and young adults cover dating. See the full weekly topic list.
The 14-week group program
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The program runs for 14 weeks, with one skill taught each week. Each week has two parts: a 90-minute group session for the young people, and a separate 60-minute session for parents or social coaches. Between sessions, participants practise the week's skill in real life with support from their social coach.
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Group sessions run in the late afternoon and evening, Tuesday to Thursday, and parent and social coach sessions run on Monday or Wednesday evenings, depending on your group. For the January 2027 intake, sessions run between 5pm and 8.30pm Sydney/Melbourne time. You'll choose your group day when you enrol.
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We run three intakes a year, in January, May and September. The January 2027 program starts the week of Monday 18 January 2027 and finishes in late April. Enrolments close on Friday 4 December 2026.
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A social coach is the person who supports the participant to practise between sessions. For the Adolescent Program, this is a parent or carer, who attends the weekly parent sessions. Parent involvement makes a real difference to how well teens use the skills outside the group. For the Young Adult Program, the social coach is also a parent or guardian.
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Each group has a maximum of 10 participants, so everyone gets time to practise and ask questions.
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Yes, and it's one of the most important parts of the program. Each week, participants practise the skill they learnt, such as calling a friend or hosting a get-together. Social coaches get clear guidance on how to help, and we review how it went at the start of the next session.
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Yes. Participants practise conversations with each other in session, then use the skills in their everyday lives at school, work and with friends. Many young people also find joining from home more comfortable, which helps them engage. Read about the benefits of PEERS® online.
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You'll get access to our online program portal, weekly reminders by email and SMS, and our private Facebook community where you can ask questions and connect with other families. In weeks 5 and 6, you can also book a 1:1 coaching call on Zoom through the program portal. We'll send a short questionnaire the day before so the call focuses on what you need.
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Item description
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Week 14 is graduation. Participants finish with a set of skills they can keep using, and families can stay connected through our private Facebook community (confirm).
Enrolling
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Complete the enrolment form.
Book a free 15-minute discovery call with our team. You can choose a time straight after submitting the form.
If the program is a good fit, we'll send you a $550 deposit invoice. Paying it secures your place.
We'll send your welcome letter with your group details, and you'll complete a short online orientation before the program starts.
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It's a relaxed 15-minute chat on Zoom or by phone. We'll ask about your young person, explain how the program works, and answer your questions. There's no obligation to enrol. We encourage the whole family to join, including your young person, so everyone can ask their own questions.
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Not always. If your young person couldn't join the discovery call, or we'd like to check the program is the right fit, we may book a short Zoom interview with them before enrolling.
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Pay the $550 deposit within 3 days of your successful discovery call or enrolment interview. Places in each group are limited, so we recommend enrolling early.
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No problem. You can reschedule using the link in your booking confirmation, or reply to any of our emails and we'll help you find a new time.
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Fees and payments
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There are two ways to pay. The current pricing (for payments made before 1 January 2027) is:
Payment plan: $3,300. $550 deposit and $1,100 one month before the program starts, then $1,650 invoiced weekly ($118 per week for 14 weeks).
Pay upfront: $2,800 (save $500). $550 deposit and $2,250 one month before the program starts.
All prices include GST. See our payment options for full details.
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Are your prices changing in 2027?
Yes. From 1 January 2027, the 14-week program will be:
Payment plan: $4,200. $550 deposit, $1,550 balance, then $150 per week for 14 weeks.
Pay upfront: $3,500 (save $700). $550 deposit and a $2,950 balance.
To keep current pricing for the January 2027 program, enrol by the closing date and make your upfront payment before 1 January 2027.
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Yes. As well as our payment plan, you can pay any Social Skills Australia invoice in 4 interest-free instalments with Afterpay or Klarna.
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If your NDIS plan is self-managed, you may be able to use your funding for our programs, depending on your plan. Let us know on your discovery call and we'll talk it through.
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You can read our full refund policy on our website. If you have questions about your situation, get in touch and we'll talk it through.
Self-paced courses
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PEERS® Self-Paced Course: the full PEERS® curriculum with videos, a workbook, the app, our private forum and two 30-minute 1:1 coaching calls.
PEERS® Dating Intensive: for ages 16+, covering choosing a partner, flirting, asking someone out, handling rejection and successful dates, with bonus lessons and personalised coaching.
Over 30s Social Skills Course: for adults 30+, focused on social confidence and communication.
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Start anytime, learn at your own time, and get instant access. You work through the lessons online whenever suits you, and use the coaching calls to get help with your own situation.
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The 14-week program is a live group on Zoom, with weekly practice alongside other young people and a weekly session for parents or social coaches. The self-paced course covers the same PEERS® skills but you learn on your own schedule, with 1:1 coaching calls instead of a group. If you're unsure which suits you, book a call and we'll help you decide.
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Pay the $550 deposit within 3 days of your successful discovery call or enrolment interview. Places in each group are limited, so we recommend enrolling early.
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You'll find current pricing on each course page.
Still have questions?
We'd love to hear from you. Complete the enrolment form and book a free 15-minute call with our team, or email us at admin@socialskillsaustralia.com.au.