If you have ever wanted to know what it is like to build real software or train your first AI model, software development & AI summer programs in Australia for high school students can be a practical next step. In structured tech programs, you gain exposure to professional workflows, familiarising yourself with the tools and teamwork methods used in real software development or AI roles. You also work on projects that help you practise debugging, testing, and reviewing code with greater confidence.

In addition to the technical skills, these programs can give you a preview of university education even before you enroll in one. You will spend your time in the program listening to lectures by professors, working in labs, and completing college-level projects. Some programs also give you an early start on your degree by letting you earn credits upon completion. You will be surrounded by students who are curious about technology, often collaborating with them while building apps, studying the ethical use of generative AI, or exploring careers in tech. Such an environment can help you figure out your career direction and interests.

Why should I consider software development and AI programs in Australia? 

Australia is home to some world-class universities like UNSW, the University of Melbourne, and QUT that constantly make it to global rankings for their computer science, engineering, and AI research faculties. The country’s tech sector is also rapidly growing, particularly in places like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, which are being recognized as hubs for artificial intelligence, startup culture, and software development.

Another reason to consider a software development or AI program in Australia is its culture and location. You will find yourself in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Plus, with the country in the Asia Pacific region, you will be learning in a space where technology is growing quickly. With all that in mind, we have compiled a list of 15 software development & AI summer programs in Australia for high school students.

For related options, consider the online computer science program, the online AI program, and summer programs in Australia.

15 Software Development & AI Summer Programs in Australia for High School Students

1. UTS Tech Fest

Location: University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22-26
Application deadline: Rolling; registration opens in late April
Eligibility: High school students, UTS students, teachers, professionals, and other members of the public; event-wise eligibility varies. International student eligibility is not specified

Hosted by the University of Technology Sydney, this annual tech fest gives students a broad look at how technology is used across industry, research, and student-led projects. Its mix of AI seminars, hackathons, showcases, workshops, and tours makes it a flexible choice among the many software development & AI summer programs in Australia for high school students who want to explore several tech pathways before choosing a focus.

Sessions such as the Asset AI and Engineering Intelligence seminar, GenAI Hackathon, and AI Showcase offer insights into artificial intelligence. Events like Cybersecurity Showcase, Robotics Showcase, and the Software Engineering Showcase highlight tech projects built by students. You can register for events that align with your interests.

Why it stands out: You will be surrounded by tech enthusiasts and industry professionals who can provide you with a clear insight into what a career in technology looks like. 

2. Immerse Education’s Sydney Software Development & AI Summer School

Location: Sydney, Australia
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, ages 15-18 

Immerse Education’s Summer Programme in Sydney is one of the most immersive software development & AI summer programs in Australia for high school students, letting you explore the world of tech in a major global industry hub. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7 to 10 students, and work one-on-one with tutors from top universities. You will explore core concepts in computer science, artificial intelligence, programming, and the fast-evolving tech landscape.

You will also hear from industry experts and academic mentors, who will help you explore how emerging tech is being used across industries. At the end of the program, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback along with a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: You will gain direct exposure to advanced tech coursework within Sydney’s industrial landscape, opportunities to connect with peers, work on a project, and receive a certificate you can add to your profile. 

3. University of Melbourne’s Girl Power in Engineering and IT

Location: University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus, Melbourne
Cost: Free
Dates: Year 9 camp: July 5-8; Year 10 work experience: Final week of Term 2
Application deadline: April 12th
Eligibility: Female students in Year 9 from Australian secondary schools; international students are not eligible

Girl Power in Engineering and IT is a four-year University of Melbourne program that offers students support from Year 9 through to Year 12, in the form of an in-person camp, work experience, and mentorship at different stages. It starts in Year 9 with a four-day camp in July, where you get to stay on campus and explore different engineering and IT faculties through interactive workshops and careers panels.

In Year 10, you will participate in a work experience week at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, where you will choose a focus area between engineering and IT. In Years 11 – 12, you will be matched with University of Melbourne engineering and IT students for mentoring. To continue engaging with the program in later stages, you must have completed the Year 9 camp, as your program journey will build on each previous stage.

Why it stands out: Unlike most short-term programs, this one offers support for four years, providing a continuous opportunity to engage in tech and engineering exploration before college.

4. UNSW Canberra Young Women In Engineering (YoWIE)

Location: University of New South Wales Canberra, Campbell, Australian Capital Territory
Cost: Free
Dates: TBA; three days during the first week of school holidays
Application deadline: TBA; application opens on January 13th
Eligibility: Female students in Years 9 to 12 in Australia

UNSW Canberra’s YoWIE is a free program designed to inspire high school girls to pursue a career in engineering. The three-day workshop will introduce you to various engineering fields, including software, through hands-on activities, keynote speeches, and opportunities to hear from engineering professionals.

You will dive into hands-on projects, including programming a robot to solve multiple complex problems. Sessions will offer insights into what it would be like to study engineering at a university level. You may also connect with program alumni and the Australian Defence Force Academy’s engineering students.

Why it stands out: It gives you the opportunity to explore tech-focused engineering and network with female professionals and students in engineering at no cost!

5. The Science Experience

Location: Various universities and institutions in Australia
Cost: AU$90 (one-day program) | AU$250 (three day program); financial aid may be available
Dates: Multiple one- to three-day sessions offered throughout the year; dates vary by site
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Year 9 and 10 students in Australia

The Science Experience is an activity-based STEM exploration opportunity designed for Year 9 and 10 students who want to explore real university laboratories. Over 1 to 3 days, you will engage in experiments, demonstrations, lectures, and guided activities, including those focused on tech, coding, and robotics, led by scientists and university instructors.

Many locations offer tours of research/industrial facilities and campuses, and the chance to connect with scientists. Additionally, the program offers exposure to career pathways and future study options in STEM across Australia’s tertiary institutions. You will also get to connect with peers from other schools during the program.

Why it stands out: It combines networking and career exploration with hands-on exposure to tech in academic and industrial environments, all in a condensed format.

6. RMIT University Tech & Trades Experience Day

Location: RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria
Cost: Free
Dates: July 8th (one-day event)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in Years 9 to 12; not open to international students

This is an annual one-day event offered by RMIT University, where you can attend workshops to explore different interests. Among the many workshops offered, you can choose two that best suit your interests. You can attend workshops focused on developing a lifestyle management app, building an app to control factory equipment remotely, or programming robots to explore real-world applications of software development, AI, and coding.

During the event, you will hear from industry professionals, pick up new skills, and explore different resources available at RMIT University. You will also be able to interact with professors at the university, getting a better idea of what studying at RMIT is like.

Why it stands out: It lets you learn about a field of choice through workshops, panels led by industry experts, and hands-on activities at no cost.

7. CREATE STEM Program @ Edith Cowan University

Location: ECU School of Engineering, Joondalup Campus, Western Australia
Cost: Free
Dates: July 15-17
Application deadline: July 7th
Eligibility: High school students; international students are not eligible

The CREATE STEM Program at Edith Cowan University is a free STEM exploration program for high school students. You will spend three days engaging in challenging STEM activities across a range of engineering disciplines, including robotics, mechatronics, automation and control, electrical, data processing, instrumentation, chemical, and electronics. The program activities can vary by year, but focus on STEM learning beyond the standard high school curricula.

Sessions are led by Edith Cowan University staff, undergraduates, and postgraduate students. In the past, the program has conducted activities like building your own robot and testing it at the end, which can offer you insights into software engineering and programming.

Why it stands out: The free program lets you explore fields like mechatronics, robotics, electronics, and automation through hands-on activities.

8. Girls’ Programming Network Workshops @ Flinders University

Location: Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
Cost: Free
Dates: May 24th, August 23rd, and November 1st; other sessions may be scheduled
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Year 7-12 students in Australia who identify as girls or as gender diverse (including trans and non-binary students)

Started by Flinders University, the Girls’ Programming Network hosts one-day workshops for girls and gender diverse students throughout the year. The workshops are designed to help students explore their interests and consider a career in technology. As a participant, you will spend the day engaging in hands-on coding exercises led by university students, educators, and IT professionals.

Each workshop will follow a unique theme; for example, the session may focus on text-based games, letting you program a computer to play Guess Who! against you. Sessions are designed to cater to students with all experience levels and help them connect with like-minded peers.

Why it stands out: You will learn how to code from university students, professors, and industry professionals, and apply your skills to activities focused on real-world applications. 

9. University of Melbourne Girls’ Programming Network

Location: The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria
Cost: Free
Dates: Various sessions during the year: March 21st, May 9th, August 29th, and October 10th
Application deadline: Varies by term
Eligibility: Year 8 to 12 female students; international students are not eligible

This initiative, run by female IT students, is designed for girls interested in coding. Under this program, the University of Melbourne hosts one workshop per term, during which female high school students get to learn computer programming through interactive exercises.

You may learn how to work with Python, explore artificial intelligence, and practice coding while exploring the applications of programming in different areas. Additionally, you will connect with other high schoolers who share your interests, find mentors, and learn about university life.

Why it stands out: It lets you refine your programming skills and explore a university learning environment while learning from information technology students.

10. START QUT (STEM Intensive): Design of Computer Systems

Location: Queensland University of Technology’s Gardens Point Campus, Brisbane, Queensland
Cost: Free
Dates: January 11-22 + orientation on January 7th
Application deadline: October 31st; applications open on August 1st
Eligibility: Female students in Year 11 and 12; international student eligibility not specified

Queensland University of Technology’s START QUT: STEM Intensive is well suited to academically confident students who want to study computing in a university-style setting. Rather than offering a general tech taster, this option gives the list of software development & AI summer programs in Australia for high school students a more rigorous academic edge through its first-year Design of Computer Systems unit.

The schedule consists of lectures, discussions, exercises, lab experiments, and assessments. Prior to the classes, the program will conduct orientation sessions, during which you will gain better insight into your selected unit. You will also be required to do some additional reading and activities before stepping into the class. You can earn 12 credit points upon completing the two-week program. 

Why it stands out: You will explore a college-level computer science syllabus and connect with faculty and students in a university setting at no cost!

11. University of Wollongong Summer Master Classes: Ideas 2 Reality: Solution Programming for Digital Innovators

Location: University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW
Cost: AU$470 (for students who meet no financial eligibility criteria); AU$270 (for one financial eligibility criterion met); and free (for two or more financial eligibility criteria met)
Dates: Orientation: December 8th; Program dates: January 5-23
Application deadline: Rolling or September 15th, if applying for the UOW travel grant
Eligibility: Students completing Year 12 at an Australian High School, and completing the HSC, International Baccalaureate (IB), Big Picture Credential, or other assessable senior secondary qualifications, and meet the grade requirements of the specific course

The University of Wollongong’s Summer Master Classes give Year 12 students a practical way to test their interest in university-level computer science. The Ideas 2 Reality: Solution Programming for Digital Innovators subject strengthens this list of software development & AI summer programs in Australia for high school students by focusing on programming, design thinking, web development, ChatGPT for Python, game development, and virtual reality.

Some of the topics that this course will specifically cover include web development using Streamlit, using ChatGPT for Python programming, game development, and virtual reality. You will also practice using design thinking to develop prototypes and algorithms for software development. At the end, you will receive 6 unspecified credit points that you can use toward a University of Wollongong degree.

Why it stands out: It offers early exposure to the university environment, coursework, and expectations, along with credit points that you can use if you enroll at the University of Wollongong in the future.

12. University of Newcastle High-Performing Students Program: Object-Oriented Programming Track

Location: University House, Newcastle, NSW
Cost: AU$450
Dates: The week starting on February 9th – the week ending on May 29th
Application deadline: December 16th
Eligibility: High school students who are citizens, permanent humanitarian visa holders, permanent residents of Australia, New Zealand citizens, or Dual citizenship holders of Australia or New Zealand; students should also demonstrate high performance in one or more areas of their education

The University of Newcastle’s High Performing Students Program lets academically motivated high school students attend university-level classes and earn credits. The program offers various courses, including Object-Oriented Programming, which covers object-oriented programming languages and their use in problem-solving.

Here, you will explore topics like program development, data abstraction, object-oriented analysis and design, and programming styles. On completing this course, you will earn credits that you can use toward bachelor’s degrees in computer science, information technology, software engineering, and more. The program also aims to enhance your critical thinking and independent learning skills.

Why it stands out: You will explore university-level academics from experts in programming and earn credits before enrolling in a college program.

13. Queensland Mathematics Summer School

Location: The University of Queensland-Saint Lucia Campus, St Lucia, QLD
Cost: AU$270
Dates: January 20-23
Application deadline: November 27th; applications open on September 15th
Eligibility: Year 10/rising Year 11 students who plan to study QCE Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, or IB Mathematics (HL or SL) in Year 11; while international student eligibility is not specified, the program is meant for Australian students

This four-day program, run by the University of Queensland’s mathematics and physics department every year, is designed for high school students interested in preparing for advanced math. You will explore topics in mathematics and math applications across disciplines during the program.

The curriculum typically covers topics connected to math applications such as artificial intelligence, number theory, abstract algebra, machine learning, and cryptography through lectures, tutorials, and seminars led by mathematicians. The sessions are designed to help you develop problem-solving, communication, analytical, and reasoning skills. The program also connects you with other students who share your interests. 

Why it stands out: You will explore math applications in software and AI while learning from mathematicians and instructors, including researchers, professors, and university students.

14. Gen-AI Bootcamps

Location: Various locations across Australia, including Curtin University, Perth, Australia
Cost: Free (funded by Department of Social Services and partners)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Autistic adolescents, ages 13-18; international student eligibility not specified

The Gen-AI Bootcamps are free programs designed to teach students who are on the spectrum about artificial intelligence and its uses. During the program, you will learn how to use industry-level AI systems in responsible ways. You will additionally develop an understanding of how AI and Generative AI work. The program also lets you work on AI projects that focus on ethical, user-first design.

Over the course of the bootcamp, you will engage in games and challenges, connect with peers, and leave with AI-generated artwork, mini chatbots, or other creative projects you can add to your portfolio. You will also get to work with AI tools, particularly text and image models, that professionals typically use.

Why it stands out: The program’s activities are broken down into easy steps for students who are novices to coding, and there are extension pathways for experienced coders, making it suitable for students with different skill levels. 

15. Frankston City Council’s Work Ready Program

Location: Frankston City Council, Frankston, VIC
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: Opportunities available all year round
Application deadline: No fixed deadline; however, you must submit a notice of interest at least 5 weeks in advance
Eligibility: Year 9 and Year 10 students who are at least 15 years old and require participation in a work experience program as part of their studies; international student eligibility not specified

Hosted by the Frankston City Council, this program is designed to offer students hands-on experience and support for building professional skills before entering the workforce. As a participant, you will gain work experience in the form of apprenticeships, traineeships, or other opportunities as you join a city council department.  You can indicate your preference for software-/AI-focused work.

You will spend most of your time engaging in department-specific tasks, which may involve information technology work. By the end of the program, you may be eligible to gain nationally recognized credentials. Over the course of the program, you will work with a mentor who will help you build workplace skills and complete the assigned tasks.

Why it stands out: It offers you workplace exposure and job training to prepare you for future tech placements and academics.

From Australian Tech Programmes to Global Opportunities

Think of each program as a launchpad: one project teaches syntax, another reveals teamwork, and another shows how technology solves messy problems creatively and confidently.

The software development & AI summer programs in Australia for high school students featured here give that learning a real setting, from labs to campus workshops.

Use the experience to notice what fits best: coding, robotics, generative AI, cybersecurity, engineering, research, or the wider culture of building useful tools.

To turn that momentum into international study plans, visit our Study Abroad blogs for destination advice, application guidance, student life insights, and global opportunity planning.