Artificial intelligence is becoming difficult to avoid, no matter what you plan to study in college. Whether you’re interested in computer science, business, engineering, healthcare, finance, or research, AI is increasingly becoming part of how those fields operate. AI programs in Australia for high school students can help you understand how the technology works while building practical skills before university.

Imagine spending part of your summer learning how recommendation systems work, building simple machine learning models, working with data, or exploring how tools like ChatGPT are actually developed. You might create your own projects, experiment with different AI techniques, and gain a much clearer understanding of what happens behind the interfaces people use every day. The experience often feels very different from simply using AI tools as a consumer.

What kinds of AI programs in Australia for high school students are there?

The answer depends largely on what interests you. Some programs focus on programming, machine learning, and technical foundations, making them a strong fit for students who enjoy coding and problem-solving. Others are designed around projects and applications, allowing students to see how AI is being used in fields such as healthcare, business, environmental science, and robotics.

Some programs are hosted by universities and emphasize academic learning, while others are more hands-on and focus on building projects. The strongest programs usually give students opportunities to experiment, create, and apply what they learn rather than simply watch lectures.

Beyond developing technical knowledge, these programs can strengthen college applications by showing initiative and engagement with a rapidly growing field. They also provide valuable exposure to skills and technologies that students are increasingly likely to encounter in higher education and future careers.

To help you find the right fit, we’ve curated a list of 15 AI programs in Australia for high school students worth exploring!

For related options, consider the online AI program.

Key Takeaways

• Costs range from free programs like Day of AI Australia and Grok Academy to $3,180 for the National Youth Science Forum’s Year 12 Program.
• Several free programs are restricted to Australian residents, including the National Youth Science Forum, Victorian Tech Schools, University of Melbourne’s CIS Schools, and SciX@UNSW.
• International students can apply to a smaller set of programs, including Immerse Education’s Software Development & AI Summer School, AI Camp: Design Your Future, and Day of AI Australia for students enrolled in Australian schools.
• Program length varies from a single day, as with UTS Tech Festival and Melbourne’s CIS Schools workshops, to multi-week experiences such as Immerse’s two-week summer school and SciX@UNSW, which spans pre-work through a January residential.
• Several programs offer direct access to researchers, including the Adelaide AIML Program and the University of Sydney’s International Science School, which features lectures from Nobel Prize winners.
• Structured, multi-course learning paths exist for students who want to go deeper: Idea AI runs a five-course AI certification track for AUD $330, and Grok Academy offers free, self-paced lessons in machine learning and cybersecurity.
• Some programs are designed for specific groups, such as the Girls’ Programming Network, which runs free coding workshops for high school girls and gender-diverse students across seven Australian cities.
• Immerse Education’s Software Development & AI Summer School is one of the few options open to students worldwide aged 15 to 18, combining one-on-one mentorship, hands-on AI projects, and bursary support over two weeks in Sydney.

15 AI Programs in Australia for High School Students

1. Adelaide AIML Program

Location: Lot Fourteen, Adelaide, South Australia
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not disclosed
Dates: Not disclosed
Application Deadline: Register per event while places remain
Eligibility: South Australian high schoolers and school groups; open to international applicants (This is a team-based school challenge where schools must register teams of 3 to 5 students and a supervising teacher)

The Adelaide AIML Program is one of the more research-focused AI programs in Australia for high school students, giving you a chance to see how artificial intelligence research happens inside one of Australia’s leading machine learning institutes. During visits and school sessions, you’ll hear directly from researchers working on computer vision, deep learning, robotics, and other AI applications.

The programme introduces you to the people, projects, and research questions driving modern AI development. Open days allow students to tour the institute, explore ongoing work, and ask researchers about university pathways and careers in the field. Discussions are designed to make advanced topics accessible while still showing how AI is used in real research environments. 

Why it stands out: Direct contact with researchers at Australia’s first dedicated machine learning institute, at no cost.

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

Location: Sydney, Australia
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; Rolling admissions
Eligibility: 15-18 year olds; open to students worldwide 

If you want AI programs in Australia for high school students with a strong project-based structure, Immerse Education’s Sydney Software Development & AI Summer School gives you the chance to take part in practical coding exercises, AI projects, and collaborative challenges. You’ll gain knowledge about machine learning, neural networks, and software engineering while improving your problem-solving, analytical thinking, and creativity skills.

You’ll learn through expert instructions, receive one-on-one mentorship, and deeply understand the real-world impact of software engineering and AI. The program will include group workshops, expert seminars, and day excursions where you’ll get to explore famous landmarks and institutions and learn through real-world exposure.

Why it stands out: You’ll gain hands-on experience building real AI and software projects while learning directly from expert mentors in an immersive, real-world environment.

3. Day of AI Australia

Location: In your own classroom anywhere in Australia, plus online resources
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not disclosed
Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: No strict closing date
Eligibility: Years K-12, with dedicated Years 7-10 and 11-12 streams for high schoolers; international students attending schools in Australia are eligible to apply

Day of AI Australia introduces artificial intelligence through activities that are designed for students with little or no previous experience. Developed from materials created by MIT RAISE, the programme can be completed over a single day, a week, or through individual lessons, depending on the school’s schedule. You’ll explore how AI systems work, where they are used, and some of the challenges they create through games, discussions, and interactive exercises.

Beyond standard classroom lessons, it features a highly structured annual “Student Challenge Competition” aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), running across Terms 1 to 3 and culminating in the “Dolphin Tank” showcase where finalists pitch to industry experts.

Why it stands out: It delivers world-class, MIT-developed AI education directly into any Australian classroom completely for free, requiring absolutely no prior computer science background from teachers or students.

4. University of Sydney International Science School (ISS)

Location: University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW (residential)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 110
Dates: July 6-19 (tentative, based on previous year dates)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in years 11 or 12 at an Australian school, studying at least 50% STEM subjects; Australian citizens or permanent residents (international students are selected separately through ISS representatives in partner countries)

The University of Sydney’s International Science School brings together high-achieving science students from Australia and around the world for two weeks of lectures, workshops, and research experiences. You’ll hear from leading scientists, including Nobel Prize winners, while exploring fields such as computing, engineering, biosciences, chemistry, and physics.

Behind-the-scenes tours give students access to research facilities that are normally closed to the public. Workshops and demonstrations help connect scientific ideas to current research and technological developments. The residential setting creates a strong community of students who share similar interests in STEM. 

Why it stands out: It is one of the few fully-funded residential programs where year 11-12 students hear from Nobel laureates and tour active research labs, with all travel, accommodation, and activities covered.

5. National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Year 12 Program

Location: Australian National University, Canberra, and the University of Queensland, Brisbane (two separate residential sessions)
Cost: Program fee is $3,180
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: January 6-14 for the Australian National University, Canberra, and January 13-21 for the University of Queensland
Application Deadline: June 24th
Eligibility: Students about to start year 12 (in year 11 at the time of applying); Australian citizens or permanent residents; international students residing in Australia cannot apply through the standard portal

The National Youth Science Forum gives Year 11 students a chance to spend nine days exploring STEM fields on university campuses in Canberra or Brisbane. You’ll tour laboratories, meet researchers, attend workshops, and learn about academic and career pathways across science and technology. Students interested in AI and computing can take part in sessions connected to robotics and emerging technologies through university partners.

Team activities, networking events, and career discussions are woven into the experience, helping students understand how different STEM fields connect. A distinctive feature of the programme is that much of it is led by recent alumni who completed the experience themselves. You can begin applying here.

Why it stands out: It pairs a genuine residential university experience at ANU or UQ with hands-on robotics and AI sessions, all run by recent alumni who were in the participants’ shoes a year or two earlier.

6. Girls’ Programming Network (GPN)

Location: Nodes across Australia, including Sydney, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne, Burnie, Adelaide, and Brisbane
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Rolling; find your nearest node and register for upcoming sessions
Eligibility: High school girls and gender-diverse students across Australia; open to international students currently residing in Australia and enrolled in local schools

The Girls’ Programming Network (GPN) runs free coding workshops across Australia for high school girls and gender-diverse students who want to learn programming in a welcoming environment. Sessions are designed for all experience levels, so you can join whether you’re writing your first line of code or already building projects on your own. Throughout the day, you’ll work through coding challenges, logic puzzles, and programming activities with support from volunteer mentors.

Many of these mentors are university students, software developers, cybersecurity professionals, and engineers who share their own experiences in technology. Workshops focus on learning by doing, with students spending most of their time solving problems rather than listening to lectures. You can find your nearest node here and start applying.

Why it stands out: It is a free, nationwide network of girls-only coding workshops run by volunteer mentors, with award recognition from the Australian Women in Security Awards.

7. UTS Tech Festival: AI Showcase

Location: Ultimo, NSW
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 24th
Application Deadline: Registrations open in late April for individual events
Eligibility: Open to current UTS students, future students, including high schoolers wanting to consider studying IT or engineering, industry professionals, and tech enthusiasts; an in-person Sydney event rather than an international application programme

UTS’s AI Showcase gives you a chance to see how artificial intelligence is being used by university students working on real projects. During the event, you’ll explore demonstrations involving computer vision, natural language processing, deep learning, and reinforcement learning.

Many projects are interactive, allowing visitors to test systems and speak directly with the people who built them. Industry speakers and technology professionals also discuss how AI is being applied across different sectors. The event creates an opportunity to see what university-level AI work actually looks like and how research ideas are turned into practical systems. You can get a ticket here for this event. 

Why it stands out: It’s a direct talent pipeline to the tech sector, placing students face-to-face with industry giants like DroneShield to vet real-world software solutions and compete for corporate-backed innovation awards.

8. UTS STEM x Holiday Workshops

Location: UTS Ultimo Campus, Sydney
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited places; registrations confirmed by email one week before the workshops
Dates: Holiday workshops run during the October school holidays each year; specific dates for the upcoming round are not yet confirmed on the official page
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school STEM x Impact workshops for years 7-8 and years 9-11; priority given to girls, young women, and gender-diverse students, with limited spaces for others; international students in Sydney are eligible to apply

UTS STEM x Holiday Workshops use short, hands-on projects to introduce students to emerging technologies and engineering concepts. Depending on your year level, you might build autonomous vehicles, explore rocketry, work with Arduino systems, or experiment with audio engineering.

One of the most unusual workshops allows students to use sensors and Arduino technology to investigate brain signals and basic neurotechnology concepts. Current UTS students help lead many of the activities, giving participants a chance to learn from people already studying STEM subjects at university. 

Why it stands out: The “Mind Reading” Arduino workshop has high schoolers sensing brain signals directly, a hands-on neurotechnology activity rarely offered in a free school-holiday programme.

9. QUT Future You Summit

Location: QUT Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove campuses, Brisbane
Cost: $50 non-refundable registration fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Most recent cohort was 325 students
Dates: June 30th – July 3rd
Application Deadline: March 31st
Eligibility: Queensland and Northern NSW year 11 and 12 students; at least 16 years old; not an international application programme

QUT’s Future You Summit allows you to spend four days exploring university subjects through workshops, labs, and practical activities across two Brisbane campuses. Students choose a stream based on their interests, with options ranging from cybersecurity and animation to climate science, astrophysics, and industrial design.

Throughout the programme, you’ll work alongside current students and researchers while using facilities that are normally reserved for university courses. Activities are designed to show how concepts are applied in professional and research settings rather than focusing only on theory.

Why it stands out: A $50 registration fee buys four days of real lab access across two QUT campuses, with travel and accommodation support built in for regional and remote students.

10. University of Melbourne CIS Schools: Hands-On Engineering and IT

Location: University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not disclosed
Dates: April 8th and September 30th
Application Deadline: April 1st (for April 8th workshop)
Eligibility: Year 10 students at Victorian secondary schools; not for international students

This one-day workshop, run through the University of Melbourne’s CIS Schools programme, brings year 10 students onto the Parkville campus for a rotating menu of interactive sessions. Real past workshops feature Digital Twin mapping, AI ethics (the trolley problem), cryptography decryption, bridge building, and supercomputer simulations.

Sessions are led by current engineering students and academics, including talks on what makes a good IT professional. You can apply here once the registration link for the September workshop opens. 

Why it stands out: It goes beyond basic high school science labs to immerse Year 10 students directly in complex, university-level research domains, exploring advanced topics such as AI ethics, cryptographic decryption protocols, and supercomputer-driven simulations alongside active faculty members.

11. Idea AI: Secondary School AI and Data Science Courses

Location: Face-to-face in Victoria (Cranbourne, Clyde North, Narre Warren, Lynbrook), online via Zoom, school-holiday workshops, or delivered in schools
Cost: AUD $330 per course
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small classes capped at 10 participants
Dates: Courses run across 8-10 weeks at 1.5 hours per session; no specific dates are available on the official page
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Secondary school students; not framed for international students

The AI Certification track runs five courses, including Introduction to AI and Data Science, Python Programming, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Generative AI, while a separate Data Science track adds exploratory data analysis and big data analytics. You will work through machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and generative models like GANs and VAEs, using accessible tools and real datasets, with ethics and societal impact threaded throughout.

Courses are delivered face-to-face across several Victorian suburbs, online, or inside schools. You can contact the Idea AI here if you are interested in applying for this program. 

Why it stands out: It is one of the few Australian programs offering a structured, multi-course AI certification pathway aimed squarely at secondary students, running all the way up to deep learning and generative AI.

12. Victorian Tech Schools

Location: 10 existing Tech Schools across Victoria, with 6 more under construction in Brimbank, Dandenong, Frankston, Hume, Wangaratta, and Warrnambool
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Students remain enrolled at their home school while attending Tech School programmes
Dates: Programmes run throughout each school term
Application Deadline: Arranged through the student’s home secondary school
Eligibility: Victorian secondary school students only; international students cannot apply

Victorian Tech Schools allow you to explore emerging technologies while remaining enrolled at your regular school. Instead of attending traditional classes, you’ll work on projects that use advanced equipment and industry-style technology to solve practical problems. Programmes vary across locations but often include robotics, automation, engineering design, coding, digital technologies, and data-driven problem solving.

Activities are built around real-world challenges, encouraging you to test ideas, collaborate with classmates, and develop solutions through experimentation. Teachers and industry partners help students understand how technology is used beyond school settings.

Why it stands out: It is a free, government-funded network bringing advanced STEM equipment to local Victorian secondary students without requiring them to change schools.

13. SciX@UNSW Program

Location: UNSW Kensington Campus, Sydney (on-campus, with online pre-work and mentor sessions)
Cost: $745 per student
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: One-week intensive Summer School runs January 19th – January 23rd, with online pre-work from November and follow-up mentor sessions into the following year
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Senior high school students (designed with the NSW Science Extension syllabus and IB research projects in mind, suited to years 11-12); a Sydney-based on-campus program; international students cannot apply

SciX@UNSW stands out for students comparing AI programs in Australia for high school students because it offers one of the closest experiences to real research while still in high school. You’ll work with PhD mentors and university researchers on a project connected to your interests, with options that include machine learning, data science, and computational research.

Before the summer school begins, you’ll complete preparatory work that helps you understand the research area and develop the skills needed for your project. During the on-campus component, you’ll analyze data, learn research methods, and work through the challenges that come with investigating an open-ended question. 

Why it stands out: It lets senior high school students run a genuine machine-learning research project with a UNSW PhD mentor, turning an AI interest into a syllabus-aligned Science Extension or IB research piece.

14. AI Camp: Design Your Future

Location: Australia (specific location yet to be announced)
Cost: $399
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not disclosed
Dates: Two-day camp run during school holidays
Application Deadline: Rolling admission until seats are filled
Eligibility: Year 7-10 students; international students can apply too

The program focuses on future identity and career design, helping participants build the practical skills, mindset, and AI fluency needed for tomorrow’s opportunities. Throughout the experience, you will use AI tools to explore emerging careers, identify your personal strengths, and create a unique project that shows your ideas.

The camp concludes by letting participants pitch their final vision and receive feedback in a supportive environment to help them confidently create their own path. You can enrol here.

Why it stands out: Younger high schoolers can walk out after two days with a working Python game featuring AI-driven enemies, with no coding experience needed to begin.

15. Grok Academy (Grok Learning)

Location: Online platform (Australian charity, operated by KIK Innovation Ltd)
Cost: Free platform and free competitions for Australian and New Zealand students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not disclosed
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Free competitions are restricted to Australian (Cyber.Comp) and New Zealand (Cyber.Comp NZ) students; the wider course library has international pricing for paid tiers, so some access exists for students outside Australia and New Zealand

Students who prefer flexible learning can use Grok Academy as a self-paced route into AI programs in Australia for high school students. It gives you access to a large library of coding, cybersecurity, data science, and AI courses, with interactive lessons, built-in exercises, instant feedback, and automated assessment that helps you understand mistakes as you go.

The platform also hosts competitions such as Cyber Comp, where students can apply their skills in practical challenges. Because everything runs in a browser, it’s easy to switch between devices and continue working wherever you left off. You can register here.

Why it stands out: It is a free, ST4S-accredited platform built by Australian educators, pairing year-round coding and AI lessons with national cybersecurity activities open to years 5-12.

Frequently Asked Questions: AI Programs in Australia for High School Students

What is an AI program for high school students?

An AI program is a structured experience that introduces students to how artificial intelligence works before they reach university. Programs typically cover topics like machine learning, neural networks, data science, and natural language processing through coding exercises, projects, or research mentorship. Some are academic and lecture-based, while others focus on building hands-on projects. Most run during school holidays or over the summer and are designed for students with little to no prior experience.

Do I need coding experience to join an AI program?

No, most AI programs are built for students with no coding background. Day of AI Australia and Grok Academy both explicitly require no prior computer science experience to begin. Programs like Immerse Education’s Software Development & AI Summer School are also structured to introduce machine learning and software engineering fundamentals from the start, supported by one-on-one mentorship. A genuine interest in technology matters more than existing technical skill.

How much do AI programs in Australia cost?

Costs range from completely free to around $3,180 for the National Youth Science Forum’s residential program. Free options include Day of AI Australia, Grok Academy, and the Girls’ Programming Network, while mid-range paid programs include Idea AI at AUD $330 and AI Camp: Design Your Future at $399. Immerse Education’s Software Development & AI Summer School offers bursary support that can reduce costs for eligible students. It’s worth checking each program’s site directly, since fees can change between sessions.

Can international students join AI programs in Australia?

Yes, though eligibility varies more than with many other subjects. Programs like the National Youth Science Forum, Victorian Tech Schools, and SciX@UNSW are limited to Australian residents or students enrolled in Australian schools. Immerse Education’s Software Development & AI Summer School and AI Camp: Design Your Future are both open to students worldwide, and Day of AI Australia accepts international students who are enrolled in an Australian school.

What age do I need to be to apply?

Age and grade requirements vary depending on the program. Immerse Education’s Software Development & AI Summer School accepts students aged 15 to 18 from anywhere in the world, while AI Camp: Design Your Future is aimed at Years 7 to 10. Programs like the National Youth Science Forum and the University of Sydney’s International Science School are restricted to students in Years 11 or 12. It’s best to confirm exact eligibility on each program’s official page before applying.

Will I build a real AI project during the program?

Yes, many of these programs include hands-on project work rather than just lectures. Immerse Education’s Software Development & AI Summer School has students build real AI and software projects with one-on-one mentorship, and AI Camp: Design Your Future has younger students leave with a working Python game featuring AI-driven enemies. SciX@UNSW goes further, pairing students with a PhD mentor on an open-ended machine learning or data science research project.

How do AI programs help with college applications?

Participating in an AI program shows admissions officers initiative and engagement with a fast-growing field, which can strengthen a college application. Research-focused options like SciX@UNSW let students complete a project aligned with the NSW Science Extension syllabus or an IB research piece, while Immerse Education’s Software Development & AI Summer School provides a certificate of completion and written feedback on a personal project. Both give students a concrete credential to reference in personal statements.

What’s the difference between free programs and paid programs?

Free programs, such as Day of AI Australia and Grok Academy, tend to be self-paced or classroom-based, with less individual mentorship or structured cohort experience. Paid programs, like Immerse Education’s Software Development & AI Summer School or SciX@UNSW, typically include smaller group sizes, direct mentorship from researchers or instructors, and a defined project with feedback. The right choice depends on whether you’re looking for a low-commitment introduction or a more immersive, guided experience.

Turn AI Experience Into Study Abroad Direction

AI becomes more powerful when you connect coding practice, machine learning projects, research exposure, and creative problem-solving with future study choices and international opportunities.

The 15 AI programs in Australia for high school students featured here can introduce programming, robotics, data science, ethics, university labs, and project-based problem-solving.

Each experience can help you decide whether you prefer building models, analysing data, designing tools, exploring research, or applying AI across industries and disciplines.

Want to take that curiosity further? Visit our Study Abroad blogs for guidance on destinations, applications, universities, scholarships, student life, and global technology pathways.