About the Study Abroad program

Want to study abroad in Australia? Our Study Abroad program offers a wonderful opportunity for high school students to study in a NSW government school, stay with a family in a ‘homestay’ and experience a unique Australian lifestyle. You can choose a school in a coastal, rural or urban setting and study from 3 months to 1 year.

View our Study Abroad video on the right for more information. Also available in Italian and French.

Study Abroad student stories

Discover the transformative experiences of students who have ventured beyond their borders through our Study Abroad program. Their stories highlight the personal growth, cultural exchange, and academic advancement that comes from immersion in a new environment. Dive into their journeys and be inspired to embark on your own adventure!

Study Abroad student stories

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to apply you must:

  • be under 18 at the time of enrolment in your NSW school
  • not be in your final year of schooling
  • meet the English language proficiency, academic and genuine student requirement

For detailed requirements and application instructions, please refer to the Study Abroad application process.

Start dates

Our intake days are at the beginning of each school term.

Junior school

High school applicants for Years 9-10 can enrol from Term 1 to Term 4.

Senior high school

Senior high school applicants for Year 11 can enrol in Term 1, Term 2 or Term 3.

Choosing a school

You can choose from schools located throughout NSW, including Sydney and regional centres.

For more information about the regions of NSW, please visit the Tourism NSW website.

Learn about what is on offer at each of the participating schools from the links to their school profiles below.

Our Study Abroad school finder provides a helpful comparison of the subjects, languages and sports on offer at each of our Study Abroad schools. The Study Abroad matrix can be downloaded here(PDF 1.7MB).

Ballina Coast High School

Barrenjoey High School

Cardiff High School

Cronulla High School

Davidson High School

Endeavour Sports High School

Engadine High School

Hunters Hill High School

Kingscliff High School

Menai High School

Narrabeen Sports High School

NBSC Mackellar Girls Campus

Pittwater High School

Port Hacking High School

South Sydney High School

Sylvania High School

The Forest High School

Warners Bay High School

Accommodation Options

You can request to stay in homestay accommodation with an Australian family. This allows you to experience daily life in Australia, and to practise your English with your homestay family.

Note: Your homestay will provide you with 3 meals a day, including food to make sandwiches to take to school. Single or double placement is not guaranteed. However, students always have their own room. Find out more about our Homestay Standards.

Read more about Accommodation Options >

Visa and immigration requirements

Students must hold a valid student visa in order to enrol in a NSW government school under this program.

After an offer of placement has been accepted by the student and payment of fees received, DE International will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which is used to apply for a student visa.

Genuine Student (GS) requirement

The GS requirement is a visa integrity measure conducted by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for every student visa application to ensure that all applicants for a student visa are a genuine applicant for entry.

Education providers can assess a prospective student’s likelihood of meeting the GS and the GTE requirements.

Find an agent >

Overseas Student Health Cover

As part of the student visa application you will need to demonstrate that you have purchased Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as insurance to cover the duration of your stay in Australia.

OSHC helps cover the cost of medical expenses including doctors, specialists and various hospital services.

Find out more >

Fees

Study Abroad students must pay an application fee when submitting an application. A statement of fees is issued by DE International with a letter of offer, stating fees that must be paid in order to accept the offer and to receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

Find out more >

Responsibilities of international students

As an international student, you must meet student visa requirements, including:

  • maintaining a minimum of 80% attendance of all classes
  • meeting course progress requirements
  • maintaining approved living arrangements
  • abiding by Australian laws.

Further information on these conditions and other processes for requesting leave, requesting a change to living arrangements or making a complaint or appeal can be found in our Information for International Students handout.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the termination of your program.

Support available during your stay

Our schools provide a range of support services to ensure you settle in, are well supported and can achieve your best. These include:

  • a dedicated student support team, consisting of an international student coordinator, year advisor, counsellor and careers counsellor
  • English language support
  • homework centres, offering assistance with homework.

Find out more

Applying for the Study Abroad program

How to apply

Students are encouraged to submit applications through an education agent registered with DE International who can assist with preparing your documents for application and the complex visa application process. Some students may be required by DE International to submit their application through one of these agents.

Application process >

Arrival Guide app

At NSW Government Schools we want each and every student to have a rewarding Australian study experience. We have developed an interactive guide which provides students and parents with important and helpful information. Students can access our Arrival Guide app once they have been issued with a student number. The app provides useful information on:

  • things to bring with you
  • the different areas of Sydney international airport, including a map
  • things to do in NSW
  • how to get the best out of your homestay experience
  • your first week at school.

The Arrival Guide app can be downloaded on the App Store and the Play Store via the QR codes on the right.

The Australian Government is committed to providing international students with a safe, enjoyable and rewarding study experience in Australia.

Learn more about the ESOS framework

We are a proud member of Australian Government Schools International (AGSI), a collaborative association of government schools with international student programs.

Visit the AGSI website for more information