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Australia

New Zealand high school students eagerly anticipate leaving the familiar landscapes of their homeland and immersing themselves in the vibrant culture and lifestyle of neighbouring Australia. Dream about surf on the beaches of the Gold Coast or the first taste of Vegemite, every day holds the promise of a new adventure. Look forward to forming new connections with soon-to-be Australian friends and host family, gain a sense of appreciation for the shared bonds that define the trans-Tasman relationship. This exchange isn’t just about expanding academic horizons; it’s a chance to create lasting memories and friendships.

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Program Summary:

Classic Program Information

Age and eligibility

Programs are available to students aged from 15 – 17 years.

Language criteria

None

Program length

Programs are available for students 3 months, an Academic Semester or Academic Year


Schools

High school in Australia offers an enriching and diverse educational experience for exchange students. Australian high schools are known for their welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, making it a great place for international students to adapt and thrive. The curriculum is designed to provide a well-rounded education, encompassing various subjects and extracurricular activities, allowing students to explore their interests and talents.

Vaccinations

Students are required to be vaccinated and have received their standard childhood vaccinations for their age group. Covid-19 is recommended (not compulsory).

Visa

Not required when travelling on a New Zealand passport.

Students traveling on Australian & New Zealand passports, with programs up to 90 days, generally travel as “tourists” and do not need to apply for a visa prior departure. However, for programs extending beyond the 90-day period (including Semester & Academic Year programs), students are usually required to apply for the necessary visa.

Program Coordinators will provide the essential visa documents so students can lodge their visa application. Please note that Program Coordinators are not Registered Migration Agents and cannot represent the applicant. Program Coordinators will provide “guidance” where possible, however the responsibility of lodging the visa falls upon the student/parents. Visa application requirements differ per destination and, on top of the visa documents provided by your Program Coordinator, students will need to provide additional documents such as birth certificate, bank statements, police check certificate, passport photos, letter of parental consent, etc.

Visa application fees (set by the foreign Authority) fluctuate depending on the destination and may vary from $180 to $700. These costs exclude expenses such as translations, official stamps (Notary Public stamp, Apostille stamp), national police certificate, passports photos, express post envelopes, etc. In some cases, students must attend an in-person consulate / visa agency appointment, which may incur additional personal expenses for travel such as purchasing flights (Interstate flight or international flight if no representation in your home country), petrol costs, tolls, accommodation, etc.

Canada:
Students must have received their routine childhood vaccinations appropriate for their age. In addition, Canada requires full vaccination against Meningococcal (MenACWY). The Covid-19 vaccine is recommended but not mandatory.

USA:
Students must be up to date with their routine childhood vaccinations for their age group. Additionally, your host school in the USA will require further immunisations to meet national guidelines, such as the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine and a TB test conducted within six months before arrival. While Covid-19 vaccination is recommended, it is not mandatory.

Other Countries:
Students must be up to date with their standard childhood vaccinations. While the Covid-19 vaccine is recommended, it is not compulsory.

The budget allocated for flights to Australia is NZ$1,500 of the program price listed below. We may need to charge a flight surcharge if we cannot obtain a flight within this budget. For more information, please see our Flight Surcharge Policy on our Money Matters page.

Classic Program Prices for Australia

LengthArriveDepartProgram
fee NZD
Application deadline
Academic SemesterJul 2025Apr 2025$10,450Feb 28, 2025
Academic YearJul 2025Jun 2026$11,950Feb 28, 2025
3 MonthsJul 2025Sept 2025$9,450Apr 5, 2025
Academic SemesterFeb 2026Jun 2026$10,450Sept 30, 2025
Academic YearFeb 2026Nov 2026$11,950Sept 30, 2025

Each destination has a budget for flights included in the fee. If flight costs are above this budgeted amount, a Flight Surcharge may apply. Please see our Money Matters page for program inclusions, the flight surcharge policy and other important pricing information.

Program start dates are indicative arrivals in the destination & students attending the Soft Landing Camp (if available) will depart earlier. Program start dates serve as approximate arrival dates at the destination and subject to change. We will notify you of your confirmed program dates ahead of time to prevent any confusion or inconvenience.

Scholarship & Early Bird Discount Application Deadlines
October 31, 2024: classic programs departing between April 2025 – September 2025
March 31, 2025: classic programs departing between October 2025 – March 2026
Find out more about Scholarships and Early Bird Discounts.

Soft Landing Camp

Included in the program fee
Available for students on Academic Semester & Academic Year programs arriving in February & July

Students from New Zealand on Academic Semester & Year programs in Australia will join fellow exchange students from around the world to start your adventure in with a Soft Landing Camp for 2 nights in Sydney! Students on a Short 3 Month program will meet their host family on arrival, rather than attend the camp. An example agenda is as follows:

Day 1:
Airport Meet & Greet
Transfer to accommodation
Check in to rooms/luggage/shower/relax
Gather together for orientation chat
(support, rules, culture shock, host families, school, My Exchange platform)
Dinner at hostel & free time

Day 2:
Breakfast & chat about today’s plan
Travel to the Botanical Gardens, Opera House, explore Circular Quay until 1 pm – lunch included
Ferry to Manly
Free time in Manly, then return to the accommodation venue
Dinner, predeparture information, packing & free time

Day 3:
Travel to Domestic Airport
Flights to/Meeting Host Families

LIVE Online sessions

If you would like to find out more information on our programs, please attend one of our free LIVE Online Information Sessions to:

  • Meet our staff
  • Hear comprehensive information on all aspects of exchange
  • Ask questions
  • See questions asked by other students and parents

Information evenings run for about an hour.
They are friendly, free and are the best way for us to address your specific questions in person.

Mother and teenage daughter online

Still considering where to go on exchange?

High School Student Exchange Destinations

Unlock the World of Student Exchange

France
USA
Canada
Italy
Argentina
Denmark
Finland
Germany
Ireland
Netherlands
Australia
Norway
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
Japan

Worldwide High School Online Brochure

For an overview of our programs, our team will send you our Worldwide High School Online Brochure.

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Classic High School Programs

Traditional exchange programs in all destinations

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High School Choice Programs

Tailor your high school exchange in the USA or Canada

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