15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Australia

If you’re a high school student interested in exploring science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, consider enrolling in a STEM program. These programs let you work on real experiments, build technical projects, and learn directly from researchers and professionals who work in the field. You also get an early sense of how STEM subjects are applied in industries like healthcare, robotics, or data science. Taking part in a STEM program can also help you build a strong academic record for college applications. 

Why should you attend a program in Australia?

Australia offers a wide range of STEM opportunities for high school students. Many universities and research centers host short programs that combine classroom learning with lab work, field projects, or industry visits. You might learn to code, design prototypes, conduct environmental research, or analyze data, experiences that go beyond what you learn in school.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 STEM programs for high school students in Australia!

If you are looking for online STEM programs, check out our blog here.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote ,  you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.

Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.

2. Australian National University STEM Challenges

Location: Australian National University, Canberra, ACT (online participation)

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Registration is open through the participation period

Dates: August 5 – September 2 

Eligibility: High school and college students

Australian National University (ANU) runs weekly STEM challenges for high school and college students, each focusing on a different science, technology, engineering, or mathematics concept. You’ll take part in hands-on activities such as tracing genetic traits through family trees, building a DIY seismograph to record ground vibrations, or designing a tensegrity structure that balances through tension and support. These challenges encourage you to test ideas, apply problem-solving, and connect STEM theory to real-world situations. 

3. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway

Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston

Cost: Varies; financial aid available

Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions.

Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer

Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

The Academic Insights Program offers school students the opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities worldwide. You will work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law.  You can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, they complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

4. STEM Experiences – University of South Australia (UniSA)

Location: University of South Australia campuses (various cities, SA)

Cost: Varies (some workshops are free, others may have a fee)

Application Deadline: Program-specific (inquire directly for dates)

Dates: Year-round (availability depends on the chosen workshop or session)

Eligibility: Open to high school students in Years 9–12

The University of South Australia’s STEM Experiences give you access to workshops and presentations that help you explore real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. You’ll interact with UniSA staff and industry professionals to learn about fields such as cybersecurity, defence, aviation, construction management, environmental science, and IT. Each session focuses on showing how STEM knowledge is used in practice and what career paths are available after school. You’ll gain insights into university study options, industry expectations, and how different STEM fields connect to emerging technologies.

5. STEM | High School Workshops – Murdoch University

Location: Murdoch University, Perth, WA

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Varies; booking required (contact outreach@murdoch.edu.au)

Dates: Available year-round, subject to scheduling and demand

Eligibility: Students from Years 7 to 12, including high school students interested in sciences, IT, engineering, and related STEM fields

Murdoch University’s STEM High School Workshops give you a chance to connect what you learn in school with real-world science and technology applications. The workshops are directly linked to the Australian National Curriculum and cover areas like science, engineering, and information technology through interactive, hands-on activities. You’ll work with Murdoch University educators and specialists who guide each session, helping you understand key STEM concepts in ways that support your current school studies. The workshops are free and designed to fit within school schedules, with bookings made through your school’s outreach coordinator.

6. CREATE STEM Program – Edith Cowan University

Location: ECU School of Engineering, Joondalup Campus, WA

Cost: Free (transport to campus not included)

Application Deadline: July 7

Dates: July 15, 16, & 17 

Eligibility: Open to high school students

The CREATE STEM Program is structured for students in Years 9 to 12 who have a strong interest in science and engineering disciplines. If you join, you will participate in workshops designed to support your learning in STEM beyond the standard curriculum. Activities cover a range of mathematical and engineering areas, including Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, Electronics, Mechatronics, Instrumentation, and Robotics. Sessions are delivered by university staff and supported by experienced undergraduate and postgraduate students. The program operates at Edith Cowan University’s Joondalup campus, and all expenses are covered except for your transportation.

7. STEM Community Partnerships Program – CSIRO, NSW

Location: New South Wales (Western Sydney & Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Central West, Dubbo, Albury, Queanbeyan-Yass)

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: No deadline. To participate, your school will need to commit one teacher from any STEM subject area for the professional learning day, and at least one class to work on STEM-based inquiry projects. Contact generationstem@csiro.au

Dates: Flexible, projects scaled to student timetables throughout the school year

Eligibility: Open to students in Years 7 to 10 from participating government, independent, and Catholic high schools within specified NSW regions

The CSIRO STEM Community Partnerships Program connects you with real-world STEM projects developed alongside your teachers, local industries, and community businesses. You’ll take part in inquiry-based activities that may include site visits, short work experience placements, and TAFE NSW STEM tasters, giving you a closer look at how science, technology, and engineering skills are applied in different fields. Projects can last anywhere from 15 to 100 hours, allowing you to learn at your own pace while gaining hands-on experience and career insights.

8. It's Rocket Science – STEM Resources and Science Workshops

Location: Various schools and communities across Australia; sessions may be in-person or online

Cost: Fee-based; rates vary by program and school arrangement

Application Deadline: Depends on workshop; booking required via website or contact form

Dates: Available year-round for school and community bookings

Eligibility: Open to secondary school students in Years 7–10 (custom packages possible for specialised groups)

It’s Rocket Science offers workshops and STEM events that let you practically explore flight and space science. If you’re in Years 7 to 10, you can join one-day sessions, multi-day design projects, or customized STEM programs that combine theory and hands-on work. You’ll learn from industry experts, take part in experiments, and even design and launch rockets. The sessions are designed to help you apply concepts in mathematics, engineering, and science to real situations. You’ll work with experts from the aviation field and explore how science and engineering connect to flight in everyday life.

9. STEMM Workshops and Events for School Students – RMIT University

Location: RMIT campuses (Melbourne, VIC), at your school, or online; regional roadshows available across Victoria

Cost: Varies (many events and workshops are free)

Application Deadline: Depends on specific program; booking or expression of interest required

Dates: Held throughout the year; workshops and events are scheduled based on demand and program calendar

Eligibility: Targeted at female-identifying students in Years 9 and 10, with some programs for all genders and specific events for Indigenous students in Years 9-12

RMIT University runs several STEMM outreach programs to help you explore careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. Through the Future STEM Leaders program, if you’re a Year 9 or 10 female student, you can build leadership skills and help guide younger students in workshops. Many of these programs include hands-on activities and discussions with Women in STEM Ambassadors, RMIT students, and industry professionals. If you’re an Indigenous student, you can take part in the Victorian Indigenous Engineering Winter School, a residential program that introduces you to engineering and university life. 

10. STEM Programs – Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE)

Location: Nationwide (Australia-wide outreach and virtual programs)

Cost: Free (including AVISTA program sessions)

Application Deadline: Varies by program; Expressions of Interest accepted for free sessions

Dates: Ongoing, with scheduled virtual and in-person events throughout the year

Eligibility: High school students across Australia, along with parents and teachers interested in STEM pathways

AROSE is focused on promoting STEM skills and pathways with particular emphasis on space and defence sectors, aiming to inspire students to consider high-skill careers in these fields. One of its key initiatives is the AVISTA School Pathways Program, funded by the Australian Government, which provides free, hands-on STEM experiences, including immersive Virtual Reality (VR) technology sessions, to schools nationally. These sessions engage students, teachers, and parents with insights into defence industry careers and STEM training. AROSE activities include the Australian Virtual Astronaut (AVA) Challenge, which guides students through practical problem-solving sprints based on space-related challenges.

11. Australian Youth Aerospace Forum (AYAF)

Location: Brisbane, QLD

Cost: Not specified

Application Deadline: Unspecified

Dates: December 1 – 5

Eligibility: Students currently in Years 11 and 12

The Australian Youth Aerospace Forum (AYAF) is a five-day residential program for Year 10 and 11 students who want to learn about careers in the aerospace industry. During the program, you’ll meet students from across Australia, visit engineering and aerospace facilities, and attend talks from leading industry experts. The experience gives you a clear picture of study and career pathways in aerospace and helps you understand how the industry works through direct exposure to its technology and professionals. You’ll take part in sessions with engineers and industry leaders and learn about different areas of aerospace engineering. 

12. Curious Minds – Girls in STEM Program

Location: Summer Camp in Canberra (East) and Adelaide (West); Winter Camp virtual

Cost: $200 contribution requested, with fee waivers available

Application Deadline: Varies; next cycle applications open via website

Dates: 8-month program starting in December (Summer Camp) and concluding with the July Winter Camp

Eligibility: Girls in Years 8, 9, or 10 enrolled in Australian schools, especially those from rural, disadvantaged, or Indigenous backgrounds

Curious Minds is an eight-month mentoring and STEM enrichment program for girls in Years 9 and 10 who want to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics more deeply. It begins with a week-long Summer Camp held in Canberra or Adelaide and continues online through a Winter Camp and a series of Connect Events. Throughout the program, you’re paired with a female STEM professional who mentors you through regular meetings, helping you set goals and plan your next steps in STEM study and careers. You’ll attend online sessions with guest speakers, take part in interactive STEM activities, and work on small projects guided by your mentor.

13. START QUT STEM Intensive – Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Location: QUT campuses, Brisbane, QLD

Cost: No tuition fees for successful applicants; transport and accommodation support for First Nations students

Application Deadline: October 31

Dates: January 12 – 23

Eligibility: High-achieving Year 11 students entering Year 12; priority support offered to First Nations students

START QUT STEM Intensive is a two-week summer program where you can study a first-year QUT STEM unit on campus and experience university life firsthand. You’ll attend lectures, tutorials, and lab sessions with other Year 11 students, learning in the same setting as QUT undergraduates. The program helps you understand how university study differs from school and gives you early exposure to STEM subjects and research. You’ll also take part in social events, meet current QUT students and staff, and get a sense of the campus environment and student life while preparing for your future studies.

14. Regional Education Program – QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Location: Regional and remote communities across Queensland (visits scheduled to Mackay, Far North QLD, North QLD, North Coast, and others throughout the year)

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Contact QIMR for visit scheduling and participation details

Dates: Various scheduled visits, typically lasting 2 to 2.5 hours per school program

Eligibility: Regional, remote, and Indigenous high school students across Queensland

Regional Education Program gives students in regional and remote Queensland access to medical and scientific research experiences through a mix of cultural and practical learning. You’ll join activities such as a motivational yarning circle based on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytelling, guided sessions with researchers at different career stages, and hands-on experiments that explain how medical research works. The program is designed to suit each school and community, helping you explore STEM and medical research pathways while learning directly from scientists.

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

Location: The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT / The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD

Cost: $3,065 program fee + $70 application fee

Application Deadline: Unspecified

Dates: January 6 – 14 or January 13 – 21

Eligibility: Australian students about to enter Year 12 with an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The NYSF Year 12 Program is a nine-day residential experience that introduces you to the world of science and technology while you live on campus at a partner university. You’ll join lectures, hands-on workshops, and guided tours of advanced research facilities, gaining direct exposure to how science works in practice. The program also connects you with researchers, academics, and industry professionals, giving you a clear view of university STEM options and future career paths. After completing the program, you’ll join the NYSF alumni network and gain access to ongoing STEM events and advanced opportunities such as the National Youth STEM Summit for young adults.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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