If you’re a high school student looking to gain real-world experience, explore career paths, and build skills beyond the classroom, internships in Australia for high school students can be a valuable way to connect learning with practical exposure. Across fields such as business, technology, healthcare, science, and the arts, Australia offers structured opportunities that help you understand how different industries work.

Imagine spending your summer in cities like Sydney or Melbourne, working alongside professionals, contributing to projects, and learning how teams collaborate. These experiences go beyond traditional classroom learning, helping you build confidence, develop practical skills, and gain clearer insight into what different career paths truly look like.

How do you choose the right internships in Australia for high school students?

With many options available, it’s important to look for internships that offer meaningful involvement rather than just observational roles. In Australia, most opportunities for high school students are structured programs that combine mentorship, workshops, and project-based learning rather than direct corporate placements. 

High school internships in Australia span a wide variety of fields. Many programs include mentorship, collaborative projects, and presentations, helping students gain both technical and professional skills.

These internships help you develop essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability. They also strengthen your college applications by demonstrating initiative and real-world engagement, something admissions officers highly value.

You’ll learn from experienced mentors, collaborate with peers, and gain insight into professional environments at an early stage. Along the way, you’ll build confidence, expand your network, and develop a clearer sense of your academic and career interests.

To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 Internships in Australia for High School Students. They’ve been selected for their hands-on learning opportunities, strong mentorship, and ability to provide meaningful early exposure to a wide range of industries.

For adjacent opportunities, consider summer schools in Australia and summer camps in Australia.

15 Internships in Australia for High School Students

1. University of Sydney – International Science School

Location: University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 6-19 (tentatively)
Deadline: Check the official page early in the year; applications close several months before the program begins
Eligibility: Years 11 to 12 students worldwide studying at least 50% STEM subjects, assessed as top science students by their school

The Professor Harry Messel International Science School is a strong academic option among the various internships in Australia for high school students, bringing together high-achieving science students from across Australia and around the world for a fully residential two-week program at the University of Sydney. You will attend lectures delivered by leading researchers across multiple subject areas and also take part in hands-on experiments, laboratory tours, and visits to research facilities.

You will also have the opportunity to speak directly with undergraduate students and early-career scientists about their research paths. Outside of academic sessions, the program includes games, trivia nights, movie nights, and time to explore the Sydney campus and the surrounding city. You will live on campus in supervised boarding for the full duration. The program is fully funded, including accommodation and program activities. 

Why it stands out: It is one of the few fully funded residential science programs that brings together top-performing high school students from across the world, giving you direct access to active researchers and real laboratory settings across multiple STEM disciplines. 

2. Immerse Education’s Sydney Summer School

Location: University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Cost: Varies according to program; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle/high school

Over two weeks, you’ll work on subject-specific projects, attend site visits, and take part in workshops led by industry experts and academics, making this one of the more career-focused internships in Australia for high school students. Tracks available include business management, medicine, law, engineering, AI and technology, and architecture and design. You’ll also have weekly 1:1 sessions with a career coach or mentor who gives you personalised feedback on your work and career direction.

Classes run in small groups, so you get consistent, direct attention throughout. At the end of the program, you receive a certificate of completion along with individualized feedback on your personal project from your mentor. The combination of hands-on project work, real industry site visits, and personal career coaching makes this one of the more practically focused internships in Australia for high school students. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: The program pairs subject-specific academic learning with direct industry exposure, giving you a clearer picture of what careers in your chosen field actually look like, and what it takes to pursue them.

3. Queensland Biology Winter School 

Location: The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD
Cost: $165
Dates: June 29th & 30th
Deadline: May 24th
Eligibility: Year 12 students from around the world

If you’re heading into your final year of high school with a serious interest in biology, this program gives you a firsthand look at what studying the subject at the university level actually involves. You will carry out hands-on practical experiments, attend research sessions led by academic staff, and engage with university biology content that goes well beyond what is covered in the standard school curriculum.

This short program is structured to give you a taste of first-year university study and to expose you to real experimental techniques. This is a good fit if you’re considering medicine, biomedical science, or any life science pathway and want to test that interest in a real academic setting before applying to university. International students are welcome. 

Why it stands out: It offers hands-on lab work and direct exposure to biological research, helping you build a clearer understanding of university-level biology before you graduate from high school.

4. Queensland Mathematics Summer School

Location: The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD
Cost: $270; need-based financial support available
Dates: January 20-23
Deadline: November 27th
Eligibility: High-achieving students commencing Year 11 in Queensland

The Queensland Mathematics Summer School, delivered in partnership with the University of Queensland, is a program designed for students who want to push further in mathematics than what the classroom typically allows. Over the course of the program, you will work through advanced problem-solving challenges and explore mathematical topics that sit at or above university-entry level.

Sessions are run by academic staff and experienced mathematics educators, and the format is deliberately challenging. It asks you to think rigorously, work through unfamiliar problems, and engage with ideas that reward persistence. You will be exposed to the kind of mathematical reasoning and abstract thinking that form the foundation of university STEM courses, making this particularly useful if you are aiming for degrees in engineering, physics, computer science, or mathematics itself. 

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

5. UQ FEAST – Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science and Technology

Location: The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD
Cost: $550
Dates: June 28th – July 1st
Deadline: April 27th
Eligibility: Year 10, 11, and 12 students in Queensland

UQ FEAST is a short residential program run by the University of Queensland that introduces high school students to agricultural and environmental sciences on a working university campus. You will participate in hands-on activities, laboratory sessions, and workshops across UQ’s science and agriculture facilities.

The program covers a range of subject areas, including plant science, animal science, food technology, and environmental management, all fields closely tied to sustainability and the future of global food systems. You will get direct contact with UQ academics and researchers who work across these disciplines, which gives you a clearer picture of both the academic content and the career directions these fields can lead to. 

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

6. QUT START STEM Intensive

Location: Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point, QLD
Cost: Free
Dates: January 11-22
Deadline: May 31st for Year 11; October 31st for Year 12
Eligibility: High school students from Australia in Years 11 & 12

QUT’s START STEM Intensive is a program that brings high school students onto the Queensland University of Technology campus to work through accelerated STEM content across engineering, science, mathematics, and technology. During the program, you will take part in hands-on workshops and real engineering and science challenges run by QUT academics and industry partners.

The format is deliberately fast-paced, and it is designed to stretch your thinking and expose you to the pace and style of university-level STEM coursework, rather than repeat what you already cover at school. You will also spend time living on campus, which gives you a working sense of what day-to-day student life at a large technology-focused university actually involves. 

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

7. UQ InspireU Extend Program

Location: The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD
Cost: Free
Dates: June 29th – July 3rd
Deadline: May 17th
Eligibility: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students in Years 10-12

UQ InspireU is a University of Queensland access program built specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students. It runs in short residential blocks across the year and is designed to connect students with university life, academic disciplines, and the support structures available to First Nations students at UQ. During the program, you will attend workshops, hear from Indigenous staff and students at the university, and get a working sense of what studying at a research-intensive institution looks like day to day.

The program combines academic enrichment with cultural connection, making the university environment feel more accessible and relevant to who you are and where you come from. Sessions cover a range of study areas, giving you the chance to explore different disciplines before committing to a university pathway. 

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.

8. Institute of Modern Languages (UQ) – High School Language Program

Location: The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, or online
Cost: $235 for Year 7 to 10 online; $250 for Year 11 & 12 online; $350 for Year 11 & 12 in-person
Dates: January 12th – 15th/16th
Deadline: December 15th
Eligibility: High school students around the world in Years 7-12

The University of Queensland’s Institute of Modern Languages runs a language program specifically for high school students, delivered at its dedicated language center on the St Lucia campus or online.You will study in small-group classes taught by instructors with native-level proficiency, with sessions built to develop both spoken and written communication skills in a structured academic setting. Languages offered include French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

The program gives you direct access to university-based language instruction while you are still in secondary school, which is useful if you are considering degrees in languages, international studies, or any field where multilingual communication is relevant. Although this is not a traditional internship, the structured format, university setting, and clear skill-building focus make it a practical option for students who want to build a concrete, demonstrable capability in a second language.

Why it stands out: It builds global communication skills through focused language study, helping you grow more confident in multilingual settings.

9. QIMR Berghofer High School Work Experience Program

Location: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD
Cost: Free
Dates: September 21-23
Deadline: 3rd August
Eligibility: Students in Year 11 or 12 from an Australian high school or college, working towards an ATAR or International Baccalaureate Diploma, studying at least two science subjects, with an average grade of B/high+

QIMR Berghofer is one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes, and this work experience program is one of the few opportunities available to high school students that places them directly inside an active biomedical research environment. Over the course of the placement, you will be embedded within a research team and work alongside scientists conducting ongoing studies in areas such as cancer research, infectious diseases, mental health, and population health.

This is a work experience placement at a nationally recognized research institute, where you are not observing from a distance but working within active research groups. This gives you an unfiltered view of what a career in biomedical science actually looks like, day to day. 

Why it stands out: It places you inside working medical research labs, giving you firsthand experience in biomedical science and what research careers look like in practice.

10. UTS U@Uni Academy

Location: University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW; hybrid
Cost: Free
Dates: 2-year program
Deadline: Varies by each partner school
Eligibility: High school students in Years 10-12 from partner schools

UTS U@Uni Academy is a free program run by the University of Technology Sydney that provides high school students with academic skill-building and career exploration. You will attend on-campus workshops, meet UTS academics and current students, and work through activities designed to build academic confidence and foundational skills required for higher education.

Sessions will be held on campus and online throughout the program. It is specifically designed to reduce barriers for students who may not otherwise have easy access to university pathways, and it also connects you to mentoring and support networks that extend beyond the program. 

Why it stands out: It builds academic confidence and university readiness for underrepresented students, helping you develop both the skills and the preparation needed to pursue future study with clarity.

11. University of Wollongong – Summer Master Classes

Location: University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW
Cost: $470; reduced to $270 or $0 for students who meet one or more eligibility criteria
Dates: Three-week program; check the official page for confirmed dates each intake
Deadline: Applications open in Term 3 each year; check the official page for current closing dates
Eligibility: Domestic students completing Year 12 and eligible to be awarded the HSC, International Baccalaureate, Big Picture Learning Credential, or an interstate equivalent

The University of Wollongong’s Summer Master Classes is a three-week program that gives Year 12 students the chance to study a real first-year university subject before they finish school. Held at UOW’s Wollongong campus, the program places you inside undergraduate lectures and tutorials where you work through material drawn directly from UOW’s curriculum.

Subject areas on offer span the humanities, business, science, health, and STEM, including options such as engineering studies, global science challenges, and health sciences. Sessions are delivered by UOW staff in a blended format that combines on-campus attendance with online components. Students who pass the program earn six unspecified 100-level credit points, which can be applied toward a UOW undergraduate degree on enrolment. 

Why it stands out: It lets you study a first-year university subject before graduating, and students who pass earn transferable university credit points toward a UOW degree.

12. University of Tasmania – Feed Your Mind, Feed the World

Location: North West Tasmania; students accommodated at Camp Clayton, Ulverstone
Cost: Free; all meals provided. Interstate students cover their own travel costs; limited travel support grants of up to $400 are available
Dates: December 7-9
Deadline: Varies yearly; check the official page for the current deadline
Eligibility: Students worldwide currently in Years 11 and 12

The University of Tasmania’s Feed Your Mind, Feed the World camp is a three-day residential experience for Year 11 and 12 students interested in agricultural science and the career pathways that stem from it. The camp is run by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), which is UTAS’s agricultural research arm and the institution responsible for teaching the Bachelor of Agricultural Science. Rather than a classroom-based program, the camp takes place in North West Tasmania, giving you direct access to working agricultural environments.

You visit TIA research farms, observe diverse agricultural industries in operation, and receive guidance from TIA staff on what studying agricultural science at university actually involves. The emphasis throughout is on showing you how science operates in applied settings, through the land, through industry, and through research problems that have genuine environmental and food security consequences. With a cohort capped at 25 students, the experience is small and hands-on, with meaningful access to the researchers and educators running it.

Why it stands out: It focuses on food science, agriculture, and sustainability in a field-based setting run by active researchers, helping you understand how agricultural science connects to real-world food security challenges.

13. Australian Youth Aerospace Forum

Location: Australian Youth Aerospace Forum, Brisbane, QLD
Cost: Free
Dates: 5-day live-in conference held in early December; check the official page for confirmed dates each intake
Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students from all nationalities in Years 10 and 11 with an interest in aerospace, aviation, or engineering

The Australian Youth Aerospace Forum brings an industry-facing angle to this list of internships in Australia for high school students, giving students early exposure to aerospace, aviation, and engineering pathways. Run by the Australian Youth Aerospace Association, the five-day live-in conference brings together students from across Australia who are considering careers in the aerospace industry and want to understand the university and industry routes available after secondary school.

Over the course of the forum, you’ll attend presentations, engage with aerospace professionals, and gain exposure to the breadth of Australia’s aerospace sector, from defense and civil aviation to satellite systems and space technologies. Brisbane provides a strong base for this kind of industry engagement, with Queensland home to significant aerospace and defense activity. The forum is deliberately structured to give you a concrete sense of what career pathways in aeronautical science, aerospace engineering, and related fields actually look like.

Why it stands out: It immerses you in Australia’s aerospace industry through a five-day live-in conference, giving you direct exposure to career pathways in aviation, satellites, and aerospace engineering.

14. University of Canberra – DiscoverFAD: Courses for High School Students

Location: University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT
Cost: $0 to $79, depending on the course
Dates: Varies by course
Deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: Students in Years 10 to 12; international students are welcome to apply

The University of Canberra’s DiscoverFAD program invites students onto campus during the winter school holidays to take short courses in arts and design disciplines. The program is run by the Faculty of Arts and Design (FAD), and courses are facilitated by UC academics across subject areas, including architecture, design, visual arts, communication, and media.

Each short course is built to give you a direct experience of what it feels like to study a creative discipline at university level, working through structured briefs, developing skills in specific creative areas, and gaining a grounded understanding of how arts and design degrees operate in practice. The program also connects directly to UC’s other creative pathways, and work produced during a DiscoverFAD course can be submitted to the UC Creative Competition for prizes and study grants. You can use portfolio pieces to apply for undergraduate entry via the Faculty of Arts and Design’s Portfolio Entry scheme, which allows admission on creative merit rather than ATAR alone. 

Why it stands out: It introduces you to creative disciplines like design, architecture, and visual arts through hands-on university courses, and work produced can feed directly into UC’s Creative Competition and Portfolio Entry scheme.

15. UQ Young ChangeMakers Program

Location: The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD
Cost: $520, covering all activities, meals, and on-campus accommodation; full fee waiver available for students experiencing financial hardship
Dates: November 30th – December 3rd
Deadline: September 21st
Eligibility: Year 11 students from Queensland and Northern NSW

The UQ Young ChangeMakers Program is a four-day residential program run by the University of Queensland for Year 11 students interested in leadership, social impact, and community problem-solving. Held at UQ’s St Lucia campus, the program places you alongside peers from across Australia to think critically about local and global issues and develop the collaborative skills needed to act on them.

The itinerary includes interactive faculty workshops, keynote sessions, and cultural, sporting, and social activities, all designed to give you a genuine experience of university life alongside the program’s core content. Student mentors and dedicated UQ staff support you throughout the program. Rather than a traditional academic course, the focus is on building your capacity to frame problems, develop ideas, and communicate them clearly. You will also be invited to a UQ Open Day reunion the following year.

Why it stands out: It develops leadership and collaborative problem-solving skills through a fully residential program at UQ, with access to faculty workshops, mentorship, and a direct link to UQ’s broader community and university life.

Turn Australian Learning Into Worldwide Opportunities

Australia can be a powerful place to test your interests, build confidence, and see how classroom knowledge applies in real settings.

The 15 internships in Australia for high school students in this article cover science, STEM, languages, agriculture, aerospace, design, and leadership.

Through universities, research institutes, industry workshops, and residential programmes, you can gain experiences that shape future subject and destination choices.

Ready to see where your Australian experience could lead? Explore our Study Abroad blogs for destination guides, subject advice, application tips, and global university insights.