For a lot of students, summer is the time for resetting and taking a step back from the rhythm of the school year. But you can make it into something much more. Through summer programs in Australia for high school students, you can stretch your curiosity, gain new experiences, and develop useful skills.

Imagine spending your mornings diving into hands-on workshops at top Australian universities, your afternoon exploring vibrant cities, or your evenings connecting with peers from around the world. These programmes blend academic challenge with a genuine taste of university life in cities that mix culture, innovation, and natural beauty.

Even if you already live in Australia, they offer a chance to see the country through a fresh lens of independence, discovery, and the excitement of campus life.

What summer programs in Australia for high school students are available?

We can understand why you might be apprehensive. Some programs can feel like generic add-ons that are too costly, basic, or not challenging enough. That’s why it’s essential to get the right information: to identify the programs that are right for you.

Across Australia, renowned institutions offer a wide range of summer opportunities in STEM, medicine, business, the arts, engineering, and global studies. Whether you’re exploring a new subject or diving deeper into an existing passions, these programs offer a view of your academic future.

You’ll learn from expert instructors and researchers, participate in hands-on activities, and collaborate with like-minded peers. You’ll build independence, confidence, and teamwork skills.

You’ll have to work hard once the program begins, but we’ll make your search easier. To help you choose, we’ve curated a list of 15 Summer Programs in Australia for High School Students. They’ve been picked for their academic depth, opportunities for mentorship, and global repute.

15 Summer Programs For High School Students In Australia

1. Queensland Biology Schools – University of Queensland

Location: UQ St Lucia Campus, Brisbane
Cost: $165
Dates: June 29–30
Application Deadline: May 24
Eligibility: Students entering Year 12

Queensland Biology Schools provide an intensive experience in biological research and university-level laboratory work. Under the guidance of UQ scientists, you take part in experiments, field studies, and data analysis tasks. Topics may include genetics, evolution, biodiversity, human physiology, or molecular biology.

The program emphasizes hands-on investigation and teaches you how to use research equipment safely and effectively. You also learn about careers in health, environmental science, and laboratory research. This program prepares you for university pathways in biological sciences by building confidence with practical and analytical skills.

Why it stands out: It offers hands-on labs and real biological research exposure, helping you deepen your understanding of university biology before graduation.

2. Immerse Education’s Sydney Summer School

Location: St Paul’s College, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

Immerse Education’s Sydney Summer School gives high school students the opportunity to experience undergraduate-level study at the University of Sydney. Participants learn in small classes led by expert academics, combining university-style lectures, interactive seminars, and weekly one-to-one tutor sessions. Subjects available include psychology, medicine, law, engineering, business management, creative writing, veterinary studies, and software development and AI.

What makes Sydney distinct is the way academic learning is paired with immersive cultural exploration. Alongside completing a personal project and receiving written feedback and a certificate, students explore iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and Bondi Beach. Visits to historic districts, museums, markets, and coastal sites create a vibrant backdrop to campus life, making Sydney a truly inspiring place to learn and grow. For more details about the application, please visit this link.

Why it stands out: It uniquely blends rigorous university study with immersive cultural exploration, allowing students to experience Australia’s academic and social life in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

3. FEAST (Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science & Technology) – UQ Gatton

Location: UQ Gatton campus, Queensland
Cost: $500
Dates: June 29 – July 2
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: Years 10, 11, 12

FEAST is a residential program where you stay on campus at UQ Gatton and explore agriculture, food production, and environmental technology, offering a practical option among the various summer programs for high school students in Australia focused on sustainability. You‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ participate in various practical workshops, lab sessions, and fieldwork that build your skills through direct application of scientific methods. Such sessions could involve animal science, crop production, food chemistry, soil systems, and issues related to sustainability.

The students are grouped into teams to dissect genuine agricultural problems and report their ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌results. The residential format helps you experience university-style living and learning. FEAST is a strong choice for students considering careers in agriculture, veterinary science, or environmental science.

Why it stands out: It introduces you to agricultural and environmental sciences, helping you explore STEM careers connected to sustainability and global food systems.

4. University of Canberra — DiscoverFAD Short Courses for High-School Students

Location: University of Canberra, Bruce Campus, ACT
Cost: $0 to $79; varies by course
Dates: July 7–18
Application Deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: High school students interested in creative degrees

Through UC’s DiscoverFAD programme, you can enrol in short courses during school holidays to sample university-level learning across creative, design, media, architecture, and built-environment disciplines. These courses are taught by UC academics and practitioners, giving you a taste of tertiary coursework, studio-style assignments, and collaborative projects to create real work. You engage with peers and instructors in hands-on workshops that simulate first-year university classes, helping you adapt to tertiary-style learning early.

Because many of the short courses are offered free or at minimal cost for high-school participants and focus on practical output, you graduate with a certificate and tangible creative work suitable for portfolios or further applications. By participating, you gain familiarity with university expectations and build concrete projects and skills that can inform your choice of major.

Why it stands out: It introduces you to creative disciplines like design, architecture, and visual arts, helping you build foundational skills and portfolios.

5. UQ Institute of Modern Languages (IML) – Summer High School Program

Location: The University of Queensland, Brisbane
Cost: Varies by language
Dates: January 12 – 16
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: High school students (Years 9–12)

The IML Summer High School Program offers language immersion classes taught by trained instructors at the University of Queensland. You can study languages such as Japanese, French, Spanish, or Chinese while learning cultural context and practising conversational skills. Classes are held in university classrooms, giving you a sense of what studying at UQ feels like.

This‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ program emphasizes engaging methods of learning, practicing in small groups, and completing task-based activities. Moreover, you will be acquainted with certain features of university-style teaching, such as working through the structured lessons and collaborating in the exercises.

Why it stands out: It expands your global communication skills through immersive language study, helping you build confidence in multilingual environments.

6. Queensland Mathematics Summer School (QMSS) – University of Queensland

Location: UQ St Lucia campus, Brisbane
Cost: ~$270
Dates: January 20 – 23
Application Deadline: November 27
Eligibility: Current Year 10 students entering Year 11, intending to study high-level Maths

QMSS gives you an introduction to university-level mathematics through lectures, workshops, and collaborative problem-solving sessions. You learn about areas such as calculus, algebra, optimization, and mathematical modelling, guided by UQ academics and researchers. Students also take part in hands-on activities that demonstrate how mathematics is used in fields like engineering, physics, and data science.

The program provides a structured way to explore new mathematical concepts beyond the school curriculum. QMSS is well-suited for motivated students who want a rigorous academic challenge before beginning senior high school. You will also interact with university students and academics who can offer insights into STEM degrees.

Why it stands out: It challenges you with advanced problem-solving and higher-level math topics, helping you prepare for university-level STEM study.

7. UQ Young ChangeMakers Program (Residential)

Location: UQ St Lucia Campus, Brisbane
Cost: $520
Dates: November 30 – December 3
Application Deadline: September 21
Eligibility: Motivated Year 11 students

Young ChangeMakers introduces you to university academics, current students, and professional mentors through workshops, seminars, and collaborative activities. You will complete group-based challenges focused on creativity, problem-solving, and leadership. The program also includes campus tours, student-life sessions, and experience in university-style classrooms.

As a residential experience, you stay in on-campus accommodation and engage with peers from across Australia. The program encourages you to think about the transition from school to university and the types of degrees you might pursue. It is ideal for students who want an immersive introduction to university life and interdisciplinary learning.

Why it stands out: It develops leadership and innovation skills through collaborative projects, helping you become more confident in creating social impact.

8. UQ InspireU Programs (STEM / Health / Explore)

Location: UQ St Lucia campus, Brisbane
Cost: Free
Dates: 5 days in January (Summer break)
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students

InspireU brings Indigenous high school students to UQ for a week-long residential academic experience. You attend classes taught by UQ academics, work in labs, join field activities, and meet Indigenous university students and alumni. Programs vary by discipline, but all focus on building academic confidence and familiarity with university life.

Students stay in UQ residential colleges and participate in mentoring sessions. The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ experience highlights the different degree options, potential careers, and cultural support networks available at the university. InspireU is not only a program of academic enrichment but also a means of community engagement that helps students during their transition to university.

Why it stands out: It supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with academic enrichment and cultural connection, helping you explore university pathways in a supportive environment.

9. START QUT – STEM Intensive

Location: Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
Cost: Free
Dates: January 12–23
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: Current Year 11 students entering Year 12 (STEM focused)

START QUT allows you to enrol in an actual first-year QUT STEM unit and attend lectures, tutorials, and labs on campus. You study alongside university students and complete assessments marked by QUT academics. The January intensive gives you experience with university workload expectations, time management, and independent learning.

Successful completion can earn you credit toward a QUT degree. You will also meet faculty members and current students who can guide you through STEM pathways. This program provides one of the most authentic previews of university engineering, IT, or science study available to high school students.

Why it stands out: It provides accelerated STEM workshops and real engineering/science challenges, helping you strengthen your technical abilities early.

10. QIMR Berghofer High School Work Experience Programme

Location: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland
Cost: Free
Dates: September 22–24
Application Deadline: August 4
Eligibility: Australian students in Year 11 or 12; must be working towards an ATAR or IB Diploma; studying at least two science subjects; achieving an average grade of B/High Achievement or better

During this free, short-term work-experience placement, you spend three days immersed in real biomedical research at QIMR, offering a rare opportunity within summer programs for high school students in Australia interested in medical science. Under mentorship from active scientists, you observe lab protocols, participate in ongoing experiments or data analysis tasks, and gain firsthand exposure to how medical research projects are structured. The programme also invites you to reflect on research ethics and scientific workflows, giving you a grounded sense of what working in a medical research institute entails.

For many high-school students, this brief but intensive exposure helps demystify lab research and offers a realistic preview of university-level science and possible biomedical career paths. By the end of the placement, you will have experienced the rhythms of lab work and observed the collaboration behind scientific discovery.

Why it stands out: It places you in medical research labs, helping you gain firsthand experience in biomedical science and research careers.

11. UTS U@Uni Academy – Summer School

Location: University of Technology, Sydney
Cost: Free
Dates: January (1 week)
Application Deadline: October
Eligibility: Year 11 students from partner schools

The U@Uni Summer School offers workshops across subjects such as design, engineering, business, health, and technology. You learn from UTS academics and student ambassadors who guide you through project-based tasks. These‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ sessions focus on enhancing academic writing, research skills, creative thinking, and future planning.

Besides, students also get a chance to discover the UTS campus and involve themselves in collaborative activities. This program is aligned with UTS’s overall pledge to extend access to education and get students ready for university study. It suits the students who desire a well-organized academic involvement in a friendly university ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌atmosphere.

Why it stands out: It offers academic skill-building and university exposure for underrepresented students, helping you grow confidence and preparedness for future study.

12. International Science School (ISS) – University of Sydney

Location: University of Sydney, Sydney
Cost: Free (tuition, accommodation, food, and travel within Australia covered)
Dates: July 6–19
Application Deadline: Early in the year
Eligibility: Students in Years 11 or 12 in 2027; Australian citizens/permanent residents or selected international students

The International Science School is a two-week residential program that brings together high-achieving high school students from Australia and around the world to explore cutting-edge scientific research at the University of Sydney. During the program, you attend lectures delivered by leading scientists, participate in interactive demonstrations, and visit active research laboratories to see how experimental science is conducted at a university level.

You explore a wide range of scientific fields, such as physics, chemistry, medical science, and environmental research. The program also includes team challenges, mentorship sessions, and discussions with current researchers, giving you insight into academic pathways and emerging scientific careers. By living on campus and engaging with peers from multiple countries, you experience the intellectual and social environment of university life.

Why it stands out: It connects you with world-class scientists and global peers, helping you explore cutting-edge discoveries across multiple STEM fields.

13. UOW Summer Learning Labs

Location: University of Wollongong, NSW
Cost: $470
Dates: January 5–23
Application Deadline: December
Eligibility: High-achieving students (Years 7-12, varying by program)

Learning Labs provide hands-on workshops across STEM, humanities, arts, and social sciences. You learn from UOW academics and researchers in small-group classes. Workshops may include robotics, creative writing, biomedical science, engineering, coding, psychology, or design. The program balances academic challenge with accessible instruction for younger learners.

Students also receive guidance on pathways into later high-school subjects. Learning Labs offer an engaging way for students to experience university-level thinking well before senior school.

Why it stands out: It lets you study first-year university subjects early, helping you earn credit and experience university-level academics.

14. Australian Youth Aerospace Forum (AYAF)

Location: Brisbane, QLD
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: December 1 – 5
Eligibility: Students currently in Years 10 and 11

The AYAF is a five-day residential forum designed for high-school students (Year 10–11) interested in aerospace, aviation, space science, and related engineering pathways. During the forum, you attend lectures and workshops given by industry professionals and university representatives. You will go on hangar tours and facility visits, and participate in hands-on design challenges (such as model rockets or gliders) that simulate real-world aerospace projects.

You also get to network with peers from across Australia and meet engineers, pilots, and space-industry experts, giving you a clearer sense of what university studies or careers in aerospace/engineering can look like. Through guided sessions on career pathways and university admissions, AYAF helps you evaluate whether aerospace engineering or aviation is a direction you want to pursue.

Why it stands out: It immerses you in aerospace engineering, satellites, and aviation technologies, helping you explore careers in Australia’s fast-growing aerospace sector.

15. UTAS “Feed Your Mind, Feed the World” Residential Camp

Location: University of Tasmania, various Tasmanian sites
Cost: Free
Dates: December 2–4
Application Deadline: October
Eligibility: Year 11 and 12 students

This three-day residential camp explores food production, agriculture, and sustainability through hands-on science learning. You participate in fieldwork, laboratory sessions, and industry visits led by academics from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture. Workshops include soil science, crop production, food chemistry, and environmental management.

Students stay in residential accommodation and complete activities that mirror university learning. The camp provides an applied, science-focused introduction to agriculture and environmental study in a university context.

Why it stands out: It focuses on food science, agriculture, and sustainability, helping you understand how science shapes global food security.

Learning Beyond the Classroom, Australian Style

Choosing the right summer experience is about more than filling time. It’s about discovering how you learn best, what excites you, and where you might want to go next.

Across Australia’s universities and cities, you step into environments that challenge your thinking while encouraging independence, curiosity, and confidence. You learn alongside peers from different backgrounds, engage with real academic expectations, and experience life beyond your usual routine.

The fifteen summer programs for high school students in Australia highlighted here offer a meaningful first step towards global learning, helping you test interests and gain perspective before university.

If you’re curious to explore how studying abroad can shape your future, our Study Abroad blogs offer thoughtful insights into destinations, preparation, and international learning pathways.