If you are a student interested in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, you may already want to explore STEM beyond what school alone can offer, which is why STEM programs in Australia for high school students can be such a valuable next step. They help bridge the gap between basic classroom learning and real application, giving you the chance to engage with these subjects in a more focused and practical way.

These programmes give you the time and space to focus on one area properly, without the usual pressure of exams and deadlines. You might spend time working through a problem that does not have a clear answer, or trying to understand how a system behaves in a real context. The pace feels different, slower in some ways, but more demanding in others.

Picture yourself working on a small project, discussing ideas with others, or trying to connect concepts across different areas. Over time, you begin to notice how thinking matters more than just getting the right answer. That shift is what makes the experience useful.

How to choose the best STEM programs in Australia for high school students?

Not all programs offer the same level of depth. Some are too general, while others don’t provide enough structure to help you stay engaged. That’s why it’s important to look closely at how a program is designed.

Across Australia, many STEM programs combine different elements like workshops, lab sessions, fieldwork, and group-based learning. Some allow you to experience university-style classes, while others focus more on hands-on projects or short-term research exposure.

You’ll also notice differences in focus. Some programs cover a wide range of STEM areas, while others go deeper into subjects like engineering, data science, or environmental systems. The value usually depends on how involved you are. The more you engage with the process, the more you understand how STEM works in practice.

To make your search easier, we’ve curated a list of 15 STEM programs in Australia for high school students!

For more opportunities, you can consider summer schools in Australia or engineering summer schools in Australia.

15 STEM Programs in Australia for High School Students

1. Edith Cowan University’s CREATE STEM Program

Location: Edith Cowan University (Joondalup Campus), Western Australia 
Cost/Stipend: Free (The engineering department covers all fees, though participants must pay for their own daily transport) 
Dates: Usually mid-July 
Application Deadline: Usually the first week of July
Eligibility: Students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12; international learners living outside Australia are ineligible because attendees must travel to the physical campus every day

Edith Cowan University’s CREATE STEM Program is an engineering program, where you engage with topics such as robotics, electronics, and mechanical systems. Sessions are led by university faculty and current students, which allows you to see how concepts are taught beyond high school.

You work with physical equipment to complete tasks like programming robotic systems and testing basic engineering models. The activities are aligned with the Western Australia curriculum while introducing more advanced concepts. You are expected to apply problem-solving skills in a lab environment rather than follow lecture-based instruction. 

Why it stands out: Provides direct access to university labs and equipment in a short, structured format without tuition costs.

2. Immerse Education’s Sydney Engineering Summer School

Location: University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Cost/Stipend: £4,995 for non-residential and £6,495 for classic package. Summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: July 5th to July 18th
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions 
Eligibility: Teenagers aged 15 to 18; international learners qualify to attend as the organisation accepts applications from countries worldwide

Immerse Education’s Sydney Engineering Summer School is one of the more immersive STEM programs in Australia for high school students, combining two weeks of engineering study with direct guidance from professional instructors. Teenagers complete 45 hours of in-person coaching sessions, while the curriculum asks learners to solve physical problems relating to city infrastructure and structural design.

Each attendee also receives weekly one-to-one coaching meetings to discuss college choices and job preparation. Participants also visit local technical firms to observe active engineering projects happening in real time. In the end, everyone finishes a personal engineering project to add to their college application folders. You can apply here!

Why it stands out: High schoolers visit actual tech companies and receive personal career coaching from active industry professionals.

3. Australian National University STEM Challenges

Location: Online (Organized by the Australian National University) 
Cost/Stipend: Free 
Dates: Usually August to September 
Application Deadline: September 
Eligibility: High school and college students; international students can also enter

The Australian National University runs a four-week online competition where you complete weekly STEM challenges from home. Each week, you receive a task that requires building a model or collecting and analyzing data. Activities include constructing simple scientific instruments or working through applied biology tasks.

You submit your work in the form of images or videos for evaluation by university staff. Feedback focuses on both accuracy and approach to problem-solving. The structure encourages independent work while maintaining a fixed weekly schedule. This helps you develop practical skills using accessible materials.

Why it stands out: You will complete hands-on physical science experiments from their own homes and earn official university certificates for their work.

4. Queensland Biology Winter School, Year 12

Location: The University of Queensland (St Lucia Campus), Brisbane, Australia 
Cost/Stipend: 165 AUD (may tend to change for latest cycle)
Dates: Usually in June 
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: Year 12 high school students; international learners qualify to apply because the organizers officially welcome overseas applicants travelling to the physical campus

The Queensland Biology Winter School is a two-day program focused on advanced biology topics such as genetics, evolution, and biochemistry. You attend lectures and participate in laboratory sessions led by university researchers. The program connects directly to Year 12 coursework, particularly internal assessments.

You are required to engage with scientific data and apply analytical methods during sessions. Daily quizzes assess your understanding of the material covered. The structure is academically focused and aligned with school requirements. This helps you strengthen subject knowledge in preparation for final assessments.

Why it stands out: You will receive direct academic instruction from active biology researchers while completing specific requirements for their official high school assessments.

5. Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science, and Technology (FEAST)

Location: The University of Queensland (Gatton Campus), Queensland, Australia 
Cost/Stipend: 550 AUD 
Dates: June 28th to July 1st
Application Deadline: April 27th 
Eligibility: High school students in years 10, 11, and 12; international learners qualify to apply if they can arrange their own travel to the physical campus in Australia

FEAST is a four-day residential program focused on agriculture, food systems, and animal science. You stay on campus and take part in workshops, lectures, and group activities related to environmental and agricultural challenges. Topics include climate change, food security, and sustainable production systems.

You interact with university staff, industry professionals, and current students during the program. The schedule combines academic sessions with discussions on university pathways. You are expected to participate in both technical and collaborative activities. You can apply here!

Why it stands out: You will live on a physical university campus for 4 days while learning about food and animal sciences directly from active industry professionals.

6. START QUT STEM Intensive

Location: QUT Gardens Point Campus, Brisbane, Australia 
Cost/Stipend: Free (Regional students can apply for a 1,000 AUD bursary)  
Dates: January 12th to January 23rd 
Application Deadline: October 31st
Eligibility: High-achieving year 11 students entering year 12; international learners situated in Australia qualify for the program, but those residing abroad are ineligible since classes occur in person on the Brisbane campus

START QUT is a two-week academic program where you complete a university-level unit in areas such as chemistry, engineering design, or computer systems. The program begins with orientation and continues with lectures, lab sessions, and assessments. You are expected to complete preparatory reading and meet academic requirements similar to first-year university students.

Instruction is delivered by university staff, with support from current students. Successful completion may count toward future university credit, depending on enrollment. The structure requires consistent engagement across the program duration. This provides early exposure to how academic coursework is structured at university.

Why it stands out: It offers you the opportunity to earn university credit while still in high school.

7. Murdoch University STEM Workshops

Location: Murdoch University, Perth, Australia 
Cost/Stipend: Free 
Dates: Varies; for booking, you can contact outreach@murdoch.edu.au
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions 
Eligibility: High school students in years 7 through 12; international learners qualify to participate if their local school coordinates the booking and organizes travel to the physical campus

Murdoch University offers on-campus STEM workshops where you participate in sessions covering subjects such as IT, engineering, and general science. These workshops are typically organized through schools and aligned with national curriculum standards. You work in teams to complete problem-solving tasks and technical challenges.

Sessions take place in university labs, giving you access to professional equipment. You also take part in campus tours to understand how facilities are used. The program is short and focused on practical engagement. This provides an introduction to university-level environments.

Why it stands out: High schoolers complete hands-on team challenges using real university equipment at no cost to their schools.

8. STEM Community Partnerships Program

Location: New South Wales, Australia 
Cost/Stipend: Free 
Dates: January 1st to December 31st (Flexible schedule based on school availability) 
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions 
Eligibility: High school students in years 7 to 10; international learners are ineligible because the organizers strictly partner with local regional schools in Australia

This program connects students with local industries through projects focused on solving real community problems. You work over an extended period, ranging from 15 to 100 hours, depending on your school’s schedule. Activities include site visits and collaboration with professionals in local businesses. Some participants also complete short work placements.

The program ends with a presentation of your project to an external audience. You are expected to work in teams and manage long-term tasks. This structure introduces you to applied problem-solving in real environments.

Why it stands out: You will solve actual community problems and visit local technology companies to gain direct work experience.

9. It’s Rocket Science Secondary STEM Incursions

Location: Participating schools across Australia  
Cost/Stipend: 15 AUD to 18 AUD per student
Dates: Year-round availability 
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions 
Eligibility: High school students in years 7 through 10; international learners qualify to participate if their school organizes the booking inside Australia

This program delivers aerospace and physics workshops directly within your school. You participate in activities such as building and launching rockets using basic materials. The sessions focus on concepts like velocity, trajectory, and aerodynamics. You test different designs and analyze results based on performance.

The workshops are aligned with national curriculum standards. Sessions can be scheduled for different durations depending on school needs. This provides a practical introduction to physics through experimentation. You can book a request here!

Why it stands out: High schoolers construct and launch physical rockets on their own school grounds under the direction of aerospace experts.

10. Queensland Mathematics Summer School

Location: The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia 
Cost/Stipend: 270 AUD (may change for latest cycle)
Dates: January 20th to 23rd
Application Deadline: November 27th 
Eligibility: Year 10 high school students entering year 11; international learners qualify to apply if they secure their own travel and accommodation to attend the physical campus

The University of Queensland organizes a 4-day academic event focused on advanced mathematical concepts. You will attend interactive lectures covering artificial intelligence, cryptography, and disease modelling. University mathematicians and researchers will instruct you to improve your logical problem-solving and analytical reasoning skills.

You will work with other high schoolers to examine difficult numerical theories during guided seminars. The organizers run this program entirely during the day, meaning attendees must arrange their own evening housing. Eligible high school students have the option to request financial assistance to cover their registration and transit expenses.

Why it stands out: You will study advanced mathematical subjects like artificial intelligence and cryptography directly from active university mathematicians.

11. UQ Young ChangeMakers Program

Location: The University of Queensland (St Lucia Campus), Brisbane, Australia  
Cost/Stipend: 520 AUD 
Dates: Usually November to December
Application Deadline: No data available
Eligibility: Year 11 high school students; international learners qualify to apply if they arrange their own travel to the physical campus

Young ChangeMakers is a four-day residential program where you explore global challenges such as climate change and social issues. You stay on campus and participate in workshops, discussions, and group activities. Sessions are led by university staff and visiting professionals. The program emphasizes critical thinking and problem analysis rather than technical specialization.

You also interact with current students and mentors during the program. The structure combines academic discussion with campus experience. This helps you understand interdisciplinary approaches to global issues.

Why it stands out: You will live in individual campus rooms for 4 days while analyzing major global issues alongside active university mentors

12. InspireU Extend Program

Location: The University of Queensland (St Lucia Campus), Brisbane, Australia  
Cost/Stipend: Free (The organizers fully cover travel, meals, and accommodation costs) 
Dates: June 29th to July 3rd 
Application Deadline: May 17th 
Eligibility: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students in years 10 to 12; international learners are ineligible because the program is exclusively for Indigenous Australian students

The University of Queensland organizes a 5-day residential camp specifically for Indigenous high school students preparing for college. You will choose a specific academic field like agriculture, architecture, business, or computer science for their personalized campus experience. You will participate in specialized workshops, visit working laboratories, and complete interactive sessions with active industry professionals.

University experts provide direct advice regarding college admission scores and high school subject selection. You will sleep in accommodations near the physical campus to experience authentic university life. The organizers pay all transit costs, including flights and shuttles, to help students from across Queensland attend easily. You can begin applying here!

Why it stands out: Students receive a fully funded residential campus experience while gaining specific advice about their future college applications.

13. QIMR Berghofer High School Work Experience

Location: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia 
Cost/Stipend: Free 
Dates: September 21st to September 23rd 
Application Deadline: August 3rd 
Eligibility: Year 11 and 12 high school students; international learners are ineligible because the program explicitly requires applicants to be Australian students studying at an Australian high school

Among the more research-focused STEM programs in Australia for high school students, this three-day experience allows you to observe and participate in medical research at a professional institute. You begin with introductory lab training before working alongside researchers, and projects may involve areas such as cancer, mental health, or infectious diseases.

You are expected to meet academic eligibility criteria and demonstrate interest through an application. The program includes observation and limited hands-on tasks. You gain exposure to laboratory procedures and research environments. This helps you evaluate interest in biomedical research pathways. You can apply here!

Why it stands out: You will shadow active scientists inside real medical laboratories working on cancer and mental health research.

14. National Youth Science Forum Year 12 Program

Location: Australian National University (Canberra) and The University of Queensland (Brisbane), Australia 
Cost/Stipend: Unspecified (Organizers announce the fee when applications open) 
Dates: Unspecified
Application Deadline: Unspecified (Applications open in April) 
Eligibility: Year 11 high school students; international learners are ineligible because the program explicitly recruits students from around Australia

NYSF is a residential program where you stay on campus and explore STEM fields through structured activities. You attend lab visits, meet researchers, and participate in discussions about academic pathways.

The program includes interaction with industry professionals and alumni. Daily schedules are guided by program leaders and include group-based activities. You are expected to engage with both academic and career-focused sessions. This provides a broad introduction to STEM careers and university life.

Why it stands out: You will live on a university campus and connect directly with active industry professionals to discuss future career paths.

15. The Science Experience

Location: Multiple universities and tertiary institutions across Australia (nationwide) 
Cost/Stipend: 90 AUD for 1-day programs and 250 AUD for 3-day programs (transport to and from the program and accommodation are not included)
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year, varying by location and state
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (places are allocated as completed applications with payment are received, so apply early)
Eligibility: Year 9 and 10 high school students; international learners are not confirmed as eligible because the program requires physical attendance at an Australian university campus and the organizers do not explicitly address overseas participation

The Science Experience is a 1 to 3-day science program that runs across more than 35 universities and tertiary institutions throughout Australia. You will perform hands-on experiments inside professional university laboratories under the guidance of scientists who specialize in their fields. Senior lecturers deliver sessions in lecture theatres to give you a realistic sense of how university-level science is taught.

You also attend site visits organized by the program at no extra cost. Campus tours form part of the schedule to help you understand how university facilities and resources are used in practice. The program does not require you to be a top science student, you only need to demonstrate a genuine interest in science to qualify. You can enroll here!

Why it stands out: You will complete laboratory experiments across multiple scientific disciplines at a professional university campus, guided directly by active scientists.

From Australian Labs to Future Career Possibilities

In Australia, STEM can mean programming robots at Edith Cowan, studying genetics at Queensland Biology Winter School, or exploring medical research at QIMR Berghofer.

That is what makes STEM programs in Australia for high school students so valuable, offering early exposure to engineering design, data analysis, biological research, and university-style learning.

As you move through lab sessions, fieldwork, maths workshops, and industry-linked projects, you begin to see how those experiences connect with real future pathways.

Ready to see where STEM can really take you? Dive into our Career Exploration blogs for inspiring career pathways, insider industry insights, and study routes that can shape your future.