13 Programs in Australia for High School Students
While you are in high school, structured programs can be a great way to get a head start on college and career prep. These programs can help you explore your academic and extracurricular interests, develop practical skills, gain industry experience, and build valuable connections with professionals and mentors. Here, you will find opportunities to explore diverse subjects, including medicine, computer science, engineering, environmental science, business management, and creative fields.
Why should you attend a program in Australia?
Australia offers a wide variety of programs designed to help students explore their interests through research, academics, and structured learning. You might conduct lab experiments in medicine, design engineering prototypes, analyse environmental data, or develop projects in fields like AI, business, or creative arts. Whether you live in Australia or are visiting from abroad, these programs give you a chance to experience campus life, collaborate with peers, and learn within a globally recognised education system.
To make your search easier, we have a list of 13 programs in Australia for high school students.
If you are looking for online internships, check out our blog here.
1. CSIRO’s Young Future Shapers
Location: Multiple states in Australia
Cost: Free (program covers camp and travel costs)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students/year
Dates: Year-long program
Application deadline: TBA; applications open in Term 1 (January/early February – late March/early April)
Eligibility: Students in Years 5 – 10 (including homeschooled students); priority given to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, girls, students from regional schools, or students from underserved areas; immediate family members of CSIRO, BHP, or BHP Foundation staff are not eligible.
Young Future Shapers, a year-long program offered by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, is designed to help students build STEM skills. As a participant, you will have access to personalized support and the option to choose one of three tracks: a day-long trip with your class/club and experts, a four- to five-day STEM camp with behind-the-scenes tours and activities, or a customized kit of equipment and tech to explore STEM at home. Throughout the year, you will participate in 10 to 12 hours of virtual sessions and development activities. At the end of the year, you can join the Youth Reference Council to share your insights that may help with CSIRO Education and Outreach projects.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Scholars & AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; the AI Fellowship program is open to previous AI Scholar participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. University of Sydney’s International Science School
Location: University of Sydney, Sydney
Cost: Free (scholarship covers all expenses valued at approximately AU$4,000)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 110 students (~70 from Australia and ~40 international)
Dates: Two weeks in July; dates TBA
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in Years 11 or 12; applicants who are Australian citizens or permanent residents attending school in Australia must be studying at least 50% STEM subjects and hold an 'A' grade or >80% in STEM and English. International students are chosen by ISS representatives in partner countries (USA, Thailand, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK)
The International Science School is a two-week residential program conducted at the University of Sydney, where you will explore STEM fields while connecting with entrepreneurs, scientists, and Nobel Prize winners. You will participate in seminars, experiments, lab tours, and workshops across fields like IT, chemistry, biosciences, physics, engineering, and geoscience at the University of Sydney campus. The program also offers activities like the Science & Engineering Challenge and ethics and leadership workshops. You will stay in student accommodation alongside peers from across Australia and around the world. You will follow a full social calendar, including trivia nights, a Sydney Harbour dinner cruise, a traditional bush dance, a talent night, and a gala reception in the University's Great Hall.
4. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway
Location: Various locations, including Sydney, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Two-week sessions in the summer
Application deadline: Rolling admissions for multiple summer cohorts
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 18, enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. Students can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, they complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Edith Cowan University’s CREATE STEM Program
Location: Edith Cowan University, Joondalup
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 15 – 17
Application deadline: July 7
Eligibility: Students in Years 9 – 12
The CREATE STEM Program is designed to offer high school students hands-on exposure to engineering and advanced STEM academics. During this three-day program, you will attend workshops aligned with the Year 11 and 12 curriculum and dive into topics beyond the standard secondary school science and math courses. Sessions led by ECU engineering faculty and supported by undergraduate and postgraduate mentors typically cover disciplines like civil, chemical, robotics, mechanical, electrical, electronics, and automation engineering. Each workshop focuses on problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and the engineering design process.
6. Curtin University Girls+ Engineering Tomorrow (GET) Network Girls+ in STEM Program
Location: Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 10-weekend sessions across May – September
Application deadline: April 5
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary students in Years 11 and 12
The GET Network offers a 10-session program designed to help girls and non-binary students explore engineering. Scheduled on Saturday mornings during Terms 2 and 3 at Curtin University campus, the program helps you learn about various engineering fields through workshops and mentorship-based activities. Here, you will connect with Curtin University students (who will also offer mentorship), like-minded peers, and professionals. The program also offers exposure to engineering courses and careers that you can explore following senior secondary school.
7. National Mathematics Summer School (NMSS) @ ANU
Location: Australian National University, Canberra
Cost: Financial contribution required (amount not specified); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 75 students/year
Dates: January 4 – 17
Application deadline: August 29; applications will open in May.
Eligibility: Students who have completed Year 11 in Australia
NMSS is a two-week opportunity for students who want to engage in intensive mathematics courses on topics not typically covered in school curricula. The main course focuses on Number Theory, studied in depth over two weeks, with additional one-week courses that vary annually. You will attend lectures, small-group tutorials, and private study sessions, solving complex mathematical problems. The program includes an Academy Lecture led by members of the Australian Academy of Science at The Shine Dome. You will reside at Bruce Hall and Wright Hall residential colleges at ANU, experiencing life on campus. You will also participate in visits to the Black Mountain Tower, the National Museum of Australia, the Australian War Memorial, the Questacon Science Centre, and Parliament House. The program ends with a formal dinner and concert.
8. ANU National Indigenous Summer School
Location: Australian National University, Canberra
Cost: Free (accommodation, meals, transport to/from Canberra, and materials provided by The Tjabal Centre and ANU Colleges)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students (15/stream)
Dates: TBA; typically, one week from late November to early December
Application deadline: TBA; typically, end of May
Eligibility: Current Year 10 or 11 Australian students who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders; Year 12 students may also be considered.
This week-long program is designed to help students engage in hands-on learning experiences across two streams: STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine) or Humanities/Social Sciences. Programming in humanities covers subjects like arts, cultural studies, history, social studies, languages, business, commerce, and law. Expert academic staff, Indigenous university students, and staff will guide you through workshops and activities, helping you explore education and career pathways in your field of interest. The program includes on-campus and off-campus activities in Australia’s capital city, providing exposure to university life at ANU.
9. QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute High School Work Experience
Location: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: September 22 – 24
Application deadline: August 4; applications open February 4
Eligibility: Australian students in Year 11 and 12 enrolled at Australian high schools/colleges working towards an ATAR or International Baccalaureate Diploma; students must be enrolled in at least two science subjects and have an average grade of B/high achievement or better across subjects. Priority is given to Year 12 students and those living outside South East Queensland.
The QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute is a work experience program designed to offer secondary school students hands-on exposure to medical research over the course of three days during school holidays. As a participant, you will begin the program with an introductory laboratory training day to learn basic research techniques. For the next two days, you will work with a scientist in one of QIMR Berghofer's research laboratories, gaining exposure to areas like cancer, infection and inflammation, brain and mental health, or population health. This free program can offer insights into what it takes to pursue a career in science or medicine and opportunities to build connections with researchers and other STEM professionals.
10. University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program
Location: University of Melbourne, Melbourne
Cost/Stipend: Typically free; successful completion results in educational scholarships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Two-year commitment; throughout Years 11 and 12
Application deadline: September 5
Eligibility: Year 10 students from Victoria and select schools in New South Wales or South Australia who are endorsed by their schools
This program is designed to offer secondary school students academic enrichment and guidance throughout Years 11 and 12. As a participant, you will gain access to extensive study resources, support, and community events to help you with secondary school academics and undergraduate study preparation. The program offers exam prep assistance through lecture slides, handouts, and sample essays, as well as personal development workshops. You will also receive mentorship from university staff and gain access to university facilities and resources. This can be an opportunity to learn about university expectations before graduation.
11. Australian Youth Aerospace Forum (AYAF)
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Cost: Not specified; cost typically covers accommodation and activities
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: December 1 – 5
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Year 10 and 11 students
AYAF is a five-day residential program designed to introduce high school students to the academic and industry pathways in Australia’s aerospace sector. Throughout the week, you will learn about aviation, defense-related aerospace careers, spacecraft systems, and aeronautical engineering through seminars, workshops, and demonstrations. The program includes facility tours, networking opportunities with aviation professionals, and activities such as model rocket builds and aerodynamic design challenges. You will also learn about defense routes such as ADFA, university programs, and career progression within the aerospace field. A key feature of the forum is its live-in format, which allows you to connect with students from around the country.
12. The Science Experience
Location: Multiple universities across Australia
Cost: AU$80 (one-day program) | AU$160 (two-day program) | AU$220 (three-day program)
With GST included, rotary sponsorship may be available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; filled on a first-come, first-served basis
Dates: One-, two-, or three-day programs offered throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Year 9 and 10 students
The Science Experience is an activity-based program designed for Year 9 and 10 students who want to explore STEM fields within real university laboratories. Over one to three days, you will engage in hands-on experiments, demonstrations, short lectures, and guided activities led by scientists and university instructors. Many locations offer campus tours, visits to research or industrial facilities, and opportunities to connect with scientists. Additionally, the program also provides insights into STEM career pathways and future study options across Australia’s tertiary institutions. You will also collaborate with peers from different schools during the program.
13. NYSF Year 12 Program
Location: University of Queensland, Brisbane; Australian National University, Canberra
Cost: AU$3,065 + AU$70 non-refundable application fee; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: January 6 – 14 (Canberra) | January 13 – 21 (Brisbane)
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students entering Year 12
The NYSF Year 12 Program is a residential experience designed to help students explore university and career paths in science, math, engineering, and technology. As a participant, you will tour laboratories, research institutes, and industry facilities, gaining insight into current scientific research and emerging technologies. Sessions include workshops with STEM professionals, presentations from researchers, and discussions focused on academic pathways at leading Australian universities. Additionally, you will live on campus, participate in team-building activities, and connect with peers from across Australia. Alumni volunteers help run the program each year, offering you a peer-supported learning environment. Upon completing the program, you will gain access to the NYSF alumni network, which provides ongoing opportunities, including leadership events and follow-up STEM programs.
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