If you’ve ever wondered how bridges stay standing, how circuits carry power, or how software brings machines to life, engineering internships in Australia for high school students can help you explore those questions in a practical setting. You can work in real-world environments or university spaces while developing skills such as CAD, prototyping, design thinking, and problem-solving.

These are skills many students do not encounter until university. By gaining hands-on experience earlier, you can start thinking like an engineer and build confidence before choosing a degree pathway.

The programmes take place in research labs, naval shipyards, energy network companies, and other professional settings. Wherever you intern, you’ll learn from daily operations, contribute to meaningful tasks, and decide whether engineering is the right direction for you.

Why is Australia one of the best places to kickstart your engineering journey?

Australia has some of the most research-active universities in the world, with some of these institutions being UNSW, the University of Melbourne, Flinders University, and Edith Cowan University. These universities immensely value engineering education and welcome high school students interested in the subject to participate in structured work experience programs. 

The engineering sector in Australia is not just thriving in theory, but it is backed by big names like BAE Systems, Energy Queensland, and SA Power Networks. Whether it is managing vast energy grids or pioneering bushfire research in collaboration with NASA, Australian engineers often engage in solving problems that are unique to their geographical location.

To make your search easier, here are 15 engineering internships in Australia for high school students.

For adjacent opportunities, consider the online engineering program.

15 Engineering Internships in Australia for High School Students 

1. Nuclear NextGen – ANSTO’s Work Experience Intensive Days

Location: ANSTO in Sydney, Australia and Clayton, Australia
Cost: None
Dates: October 6th (Engineering in Action: Design, Innovate, Build)
Application Deadline: March 1st (Sydney) and June 1st (Clayton) 
Eligibility: Students in Years 9 to 12; not open to international students

In this multi-day program, each day is dedicated to a particular subject, with one day focused on engineering. Engineering in Action: Design, Innovate, Build gives this option a practical edge among the many engineering internships in Australia for high school students, especially if you want to understand how engineers turn an idea into a product. You become familiar with the steps of the engineering process, including designing with digital tools, machining, fabrication, and more, through hands-on workshops.

The session will also demonstrate how creativity and engineering connect and how they can work together to solve real-world problems. This session can be especially suitable for you if you are interested in mechanical or electrical engineering. 

Why it stands out: It helps you understand the crucial role that engineers play in maintaining a research or scientific facility like the  Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.

2. Immerse Education’s Sydney Engineering Summer School

Location: Sydney, Australia
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students around the world aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

The Academic Insights Engineering Summer School is a structured way to learn about university-level engineering from top professors at schools like Oxford and Cambridge. The program combines theory with hands-on learning in small classes with an average of 7 students. The course teaches students aged 13 to 15 the basics of mechanics, forces, materials, and basic electronics. You learn how engineers solve problems through guided workshops and design tasks. For students ages 16 to 18, the curriculum moves on to mechanical systems, electrical circuits, sustainability, and applied engineering design.

You work on more independent projects and look at real engineering problems, which helps develop the reasoning skills expected of college students. Learning includes university-style lectures, problem-solving sessions, weekly one-on-one tutorials, and a personal engineering project that ends with written feedback and a certificate.

Why it stands out: Age-specific syllabi tailored to students’ academic stages, expert tutors from leading universities, small-group teaching that encourages discussion, and personalised feedback that supports meaningful academic growth and university readiness.

3. University of Queensland, Women in Engineering / Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology – WE Work Experience

Location: Engineering organisations across Queensland, Australia
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 6-10; September 23-24; November 30th – December 4th
Application Deadline: July session: May 31st; September session: August 19th; November session: October 25th
Eligibility: Women in Years 10-12 (the November session is limited to Years 10-11); not open to international students

In this program, you step into the day-to-day world of a practising engineer by shadowing professionals at one of UQ Women in Engineering’s industry partner organisations, including companies such as Rio Tinto, Energy Queensland, Powerlink, Queensland Rail, and Boeing Australia.

Across hands-on, project-based placements, you apply classroom knowledge to real engineering challenges, observe how engineers solve problems, and explore the six engineering specialisations offered at UQ. Few engineering internships in Australia for high school students offer this same mix of industry exposure, peer support, and structured guidance. Paired with another student through the buddy system, you collaborate, ask questions, and build confidence in a supportive environment.

Why it stands out: It places Year 10–12 women directly inside real engineering organisations to shadow practising engineers across six specialisations, pairing each student with a peer through a buddy system for a supportive, hands-on introduction to the profession.

4. IGNIS Mission Student Interns Program

Location: Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
Cost: None
Dates: Five full days of activities across the calendar year
Application Deadline: April 7th
Eligibility: Students in Years 8 to 11 from Western Australia. Note: This program has a multi-step application process in which schools apply first; ECU will determine which schools can participate in the program, and then 4-5 students from each selected school will attend the program; not open to international students

Edith Cowan University welcomes students who dream of having careers in space or engineering to its IGNIS Mission Student Interns Program. You will work alongside ECU engineers and collaborate with space experts on the IGNIS mission. Your role will be to contribute to IGNIS research, gaining an in-depth understanding of how industry experts conduct research and solve real-world problems.

The program will give you an outlook on the aerospace industry, and immerse you in collaborative work that helps improve your communication, teamwork, critical thinking, analytical, and technical skills.

Why it stands out: You will be directly contributing to the IGNIS mission, which is a collaboration between NASA and Australian universities on studying the link between lightning events and bushfire ignition

5. Australian Government Defence Work Experience Program: Army Trades Familiarization (Engineering, Electrical and Health)

Location: Army Logistics Training Centre, Victoria, Australia
Stipend: None
Dates: August 5th
Application Deadline: June 7th
Eligibility: Secondary school students from ages 15-18 who are Australian citizens or eligible permanent residents; not open to international students

In this program offered by the Australian government’s defence department, secondary school students will be able to explore the various career opportunities available in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Australian Public Service (APS). With the program sharing many placements across STEM fields, students interested in engineering can opt for Army Trades Familiarisation (Engineering, Electrical, and Health).

In the track, you will learn about the daily responsibilities of army soldiers and be exposed to the career prospects within the army for engineers, especially electrical and mechanical. You will also visit places like Gaza Ridge Barracks and Latchford Barracks. 

Why it stands out: Regardless of your placement, you will do hands-on, interactive work related to engineering.

6. BAE Systems Australia STEM Work Experience 

Location: Online and Various BAE Systems sites across Australia
Stipend: None
Dates: 4-5 days in-person or 3 days online at various times
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students in Year 10; requires Australian citizenship or eligibility for Defence security clearance; not open to international students

In this program, you will be part of a team responsible for developing, operating, and maintaining a virtual amusement park. A project that you will get to work on as a participant is building a roller coaster for an imaginary business. Through it, you will learn the different ways STEM is being used in such projects.

You will also enhance your ability to coordinate well within a team. This program will be particularly fascinating for you, given your keen interest in engineering. There will be professional engineers and project managers who will engage you in training sessions that are focused on making you skilled in digital design, 3D printing, and electronics construction. 

Why it stands out: It teaches you workplace safety, which is essential in many engineering roles. 

7. BAE Systems Australia Trades Work Experience 

Location: Osborne Naval Shipyard, Osborne, Australia
Stipend: None
Dates: Four-day sessions available from May 18th to September 7th
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Australian students in Year 10-12 who are studying in South Australia; requires Australian citizenship or eligibility for Defence security clearance; not open to international students

For those students looking for something much more hands-on, the trade work experience with BAE Systems Australia is a good option. You become a part of the global company’s shipbuilding team at the Osborne Naval Shipyard. During the four days, you will immerse yourself in a small project, gaining experience in using different tools.

You will have experienced tradespeople guiding you through every stage of the project. With the program offering four different trades, the project assigned to you will depend on the trade you choose. Your options include structural/fabrication, piping, mechanical engineering (Fitting & Turning), and electrical. 

Why it stands out: The program accepts about five students per session, thus ensuring that the staff can give you focused attention during your participation. 

8. WiseTech Global Earn & Learn Program

Location: Sydney and Melbourne, Australia
Stipend: Valued at ~$300,000 over four years, including salary, university course payments, and share rights
Dates: Typically start during the early months of the year
Application Deadline: September 14th
Eligibility: Students in Year 12 planning to enrol in a Computer Science degree at a university in Sydney or Melbourne (partnered with UTS); have unlimited working rights in Australia; not open to international students

This program is ideal for students who want to become software engineers, as it allows you to work at WiseTech Global. You would work as a developer while receiving support from the tech company to complete a computer science degree on a part-time basis.

You will also be able to attend special courses that WiseTech Global conducts. Given that this program runs in collaboration with many universities across Sydney, the courses taught are recognised by universities as well. You will receive mentoring from some of the best tech professionals in Australia.

Why it stands out: Through on-the-job training with top developers, you will gain confidence in your coding skills. 

9. SA Power Networks Electrical Engineering Work Experience

Location: SA Power Networks locations at Keswick or Marleston, Australia
Stipend: None
Dates: Short-term placements with varying dates
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students who are studying or have completed Year 11, which includes English and Mathematics; at least 16 years old; not open to international students

Aimed at students who want to explore careers in the energy industry, this work experience program allows you to explore what it is like to be an electrical engineer. In this program, you will be placed in a group, and your work hours will be decided accordingly. As a participant, you will discover the importance of an electrical engineer in designing and managing a network.

You will meet with industry professionals who will share more insights into their careers. They will also discuss different ways they try to solve real-world energy problems through their role in electrical engineering.  The program ultimately aims to give you a practical understanding of working in the energy sector.

Why it stands out: SA Power Networks will introduce you to the various career options available at its locations and discuss suitable degree options. 

10. HeliMods – High School Work Experience 

Location: Caloundra West, Queensland, Australia
Stipend: None
Dates: Temporary, part-time on-site arrangement rather than fixed calendar dates
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Eligibility: Students in year 10 or above; not open to international students

In this program, you get hands-on exposure to real engineering practice. You design an item of your own creation using CAD (Computer Aided Design) and print it on one of HeliMods’ 3D printers with guidance from the engineering team. If you’re comparing engineering internships in Australia for high school students with a strong aerospace focus, this placement stands out for its access to advanced aircraft modification and manufacturing.

Through these activities, you build practical skills in digital design, prototyping, and manufacturing awareness while clarifying which high school electives and tertiary pathways suit an engineering career. The placement rewards students who are inquisitive, self-driven, and eager to learn.

Why it stands out: It places high school students inside an internationally renowned aerospace technology company where they design their own item in CAD, 3D print it with the engineering team, and see advanced aircraft modification manufacturing first-hand.

11. UNSW Engineering Work Experience Programs

Location: UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Australia
Cost: None
Dates: May 25-29 (Civil Engineering Work Experience Program) | October 19-23 (Chemical Engineering Work Experience Program and Solar & Renewable Energy Engineering Work Experience Program)
Application Deadline: Civil Engineering Work Experience Program: Not specified | Chemical Engineering: May 31st; Solar & Renewable Energy Engineering: May 10th (School listing) or May 31st (Faculty listing)
Eligibility: Students in Year 10 from New South Wales; not open to international students

This five-day work experience program is quite suitable for someone seriously considering a career in engineering. Unlike many shorter engineering internships in Australia for high school students, it lets you explore focused pathways in civil engineering, chemical engineering, and solar and renewable energy engineering. You will gain hands-on experience in the field and learn how engineers turn ideas into products in the process.

UNSW professors will teach you important concepts that you will later implement in design challenges hosted as part of the program. You will gain insight into what it means to be an engineering major at a university. The program will also take you to look around research labs and UNSW’s engineering spaces.

Why it stands out: You would be traveling off campus to network with engineering professionals, thus getting a better idea of what you can do with a degree in engineering. 

12. Girl Power in Engineering and IT

Location: University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Cost: None
Dates: July 5-8 (Year 9 camp); Final week of Term 2 (Year 10 work experience program); Years 11 & 12: Ongoing mentoring opportunities
Application Deadline: April 12th
Eligibility: Female students in Year 9 who are based in Victoria; not open to international students

In this program, you will attend a camp that will introduce you to different engineering and IT roles while learning about the different issues within both industries in the first year. The camp will also engage you in immersive workshops. You will also have the opportunity to network with engineering and IT students at the university, thus gaining insights into pursuing a degree at the University of Melbourne.

The following year will be your turn to do the engineering or IT work experience program organised by the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. The program will continue through Years 11 and 12 of your secondary school, when you receive mentorship from students in the university. 

Why it stands out: The program only accepts female applicants, as it aims to bridge the gender gap in fields like engineering and IT. 

13. The University of Melbourne Year 10 Work Experience

Location: The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Stipend: AUD$5/day and financial assistance available to cover travel and accommodation costs
Dates: June 22-26
Application Deadline: Typically opens early in the year (several months prior to the start date)
Eligibility: Students in Year 10 who are currently studying in Australia (including homeschooled students) and will be at least 15 years old on the first day of the program; open to international students, provided they are currently enrolled and studying in an Australian high school and meet the age requirement

This work experience program offered by The University of Melbourne is suitable for students who are not able to commit to a four-year program. This program offers work experience opportunities across various streams, including engineering. You complete diverse activities that give you a taste of having a career in a particular STEM field. You will also get to contribute to research projects and share the outcomes.

As you will most likely be joining the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology (FEIT), you will have the opportunity to conduct research in areas such as biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, infrastructure engineering, and mechanical engineering. 

Why it stands out: In addition to the work and research component, you will also benefit from attending seminars, meeting with STEM models, and gaining an outlook on university life.

14. Swinburne University of Technology Work Experience Opportunities

Location: Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: One-week placements (specific dates vary by department/program)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis till March
Eligibility: Current senior secondary students; not open to international students

In this one-week program run by the Swinburne University of Technology, you will be able to choose from four different work experience areas, one of which is engineering. If you opt for the engineering track, you will engage in different subject-related activities.

These include working on a short engineering project, assisting Swinburne engineering students in designing, testing, and building a vehicle, and analyzing a Hybrid Electric Vehicle that Swinburne engineering students designed and built. You will be introduced to some of the ongoing research in the field of engineering, as well as to how engineering is shaping the world. Plus, you will learn about the career prospects in engineering. 

Why it stands out: The program teaches you about the various streams available in the engineering field, including civil, mechanical, electrical & electronics, biomedical, robotics & mechatronics, and software engineering, as well as renewable energy engineering. 

15. TMK Consulting Engineers – High School Work Experience Program

Location: Adelaide, South Australia, with additional offices in Melbourne, Victoria, and the Riverland (Berri), South Australia
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Arranged individually if a placement can be offered, so dates vary by student and project availability
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current students in Year 10, 11, or 12; structured as a domestic Australian high school placement and not open to international students

In this program, you step inside a working multi-disciplinary consulting engineering practice and explore what an engineering career genuinely involves day to day. You shadow professionals across different disciplines such as civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and fire services engineering, observing how teams approach real projects. You learn how engineers solve complex design challenges, and you build your understanding of engineering tools, teamwork, and workplace processes.

You can ask questions, test your interests, and discover pathways that connect your subject choices to a university route. This hands-on exposure helps you make informed decisions about engineering and the built environment before committing to further study.

Why it stands out: It places high school students directly inside an established, multi-disciplinary consulting engineering firm to shadow practising engineers across several disciplines, offering early, real-world career insight that few work experience programs provide at this level.

Discover Where Engineering Could Lead You

Early exposure to real projects can help you move from broad curiosity to clearer academic direction, stronger confidence, and smarter future choices.

Through these engineering internships in Australia for high school students, you can explore design, software, energy, aerospace, research, and practical workplace problem-solving.

As these experiences shape your interests, they can also help you identify which subjects, universities, and study destinations fit your ambitions.

To take that next step, explore our Study Abroad blogs for expert guidance on destinations, applications, and world-class universities worldwide.