Study in Australia
The best way to really know Australia, beyond kangaroos, koalas, and “the land down under”, is to experience it firsthand. Participating in a YFU exchange to Australia is a dinky-di (genuine) experience that tourists can’t replicate.
“Being an exchange student was the most influential experience of my high school years. I was placed in a small town in Tasmania, Australia with a very supportive host family. Now that I have returned to America, I have two families – my natural family and my Australian family. I encourage high school students to exchange to experience a new piece of the world through an optimal interactive learning model.”
– Sara
+ More About Australia
The best way to really know Australia, beyond kangaroos, koalas, and the “Crocodile Hunter,” is to see it for yourself! Choosing Australia as your host country will be a “dinky-di” (genuine) adventure!
A lot of the time you spend in Australia will be with your host family. Australians are known for their hospitality and will welcome you with open arms. Your time in Australia will introduce you to a blend of unique cultures from the metropolitans of Melbourne to the indigenous people of the outback. Your fitness may improve during your stay in Australia due to the abundance of light and healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, and fish! You may even get to try vegemite, meat pies, lamingtons, or a good ol’ fashioned Australian barby! The country has an impressive literacy rate of ninety-nine percent, and the quality of Australia’s schooling is rated one of the best in the world by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
In addition to school, there are a variety of activities for you to participate in such as surfing, swimming, fishing, sailing, and tennis. More competitive activities include sports such as rugby, football, and cricket. So come venture down under and experience all that Australia has to offer!
+ Scholarships Available
YFU USA is proud to send over 200 American students on cultural exchange with a full or partial scholarship each year. Financial assistance may be in the form of a merit-based scholarship, needs-based financial aid, or Legacy Grant for students who are previously involved in the YFU Community. Scholarships may vary in deadline, requirements, and eligibility. Please note that the merit-based scholarship applications for 2020 have closed, however, YFU is still accepting applications for our tuition based programs. To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for Australia:
Holcomb & Farnell Foreign Study Fund
YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund
Norbert Hardner Foundation International Exchange Scholarship
+ Programs & Tuition
Spring Year: $19,995
Fall Semester: $16,495
Fall Semester Plus: $17,995
Spring Semester: $17,995
Fall Trimester: $14,195
Summer Trimester: $14,195
Please note that YFU USA is no longer accepting applications for 2020 Summer programs, however we are accepting applications 2020 Academic Year/Semester programs. YFU USA anticipates offering a full slate of Fall, Spring, and Summer exchange programs for 2021. While we don’t yet know what the program tuition will be, we are ready to offer students the opportunity to lock in their 2021 exchange at a price of no more than the current 2020 price plus 10 percent. If you are interested in enrolling in the 2021 program with the 2020 tuition lock, or you’d like to learn more, please contact us at info@yfu.org or begin your application today.
Applications for tuition based programs must be submitted by October 1 for winter/spring departure programs and March 15 for summer and fall. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a case by case basis depending upon availability.
+ Additional Information
Visa Information
Information regarding visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment.
Additional Costs
Textbooks, uniforms if required, special school subject fees, extracurricular activities and excursions, school lunches, and transportation to school are not included in the tuition and vary depending on where students are placed. Students are also responsible for covering any fees related to obtaining a visa. Host families provide the same care and support as they would for their own child but are not responsible for costs related to entertainment, leisure activities, or other personal expenses/ spending money.
Choose Your Program
+ Academic Year Program
Get to know Australia up close through an immersion program! You’ll live with a volunteer host family, attend a local public or private high school and engage in the life of your new community over the course of the year.
School
Exchange students will be placed in public or private high schools in the year level and class schedule determined by their host school. Most students will not be placed in the final year of high school and attendance recognition is solely at the discretion of the school to which you are enrolled. Exchange students are expected to actively participate in school. While schools can vary, they follow a national curriculum that includes the following subjects: Arts, English, Health and Physical Education, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography, History, Languages, Mathematics, Science, and Technologies.
Orientations
All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in early December. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.
After arrival in Australia, students will attend an arrival orientation and re-entry orientation with their local volunteer coordinator. Year students will also be invited to attend with new students arriving mid-way through their program. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Age Requirement
- 2020 Spring Program: Students born July 1, 2002 – February 1, 2005.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Year | Late January | Early December | $18,995 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local Australian high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a local volunteer while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Language
English. Although there will not be a language barrier, you will be able to learn the unique Australian lingo!
Host Family Placement
Placements can be in all states and in urban, suburban, small town or rural areas.
+ Semester Programs
Get to know Australia up close through an immersion program! You’ll live with a volunteer host family, attend a local public or private high school and engage in the life of your new community over the course of the semester.
School
Exchange students will be placed in public or private high schools in the year level and class schedule determined by their host school. Most students will not be placed in the final year of high school and attendance recognition is solely at the discretion of the school to which you are enrolled. Exchange students are expected to actively participate in school. While schools can vary, they follow a national curriculum that includes the following subjects: Arts, English, Health and Physical Education, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography, History, Languages, Mathematics, Science, and Technologies.
Orientations
All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July or early December (for Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students applying for the Fall Semester program will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
After arrival in Australia, students will attend an arrival orientation and re-entry orientation with their local volunteer coordinator. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Age Requirement
- 2020 Fall Program: Students born December 1, 2002 – July 1, 2005.
- 2020 Spring Program: Students born July 1, 2002 – February 1, 2005.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Early July | Early December | $16,495 |
| Fall Semester Plus | Early July | Early April | $17,995 |
| Spring Semester | Late January | Early July | $19,995 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local Australian high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a local volunteer while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Language
English. Although there will not be a language barrier, you will be able to learn the unique Australian lingo!
Host Family Placement
Placements can be in all states and in urban, suburban, small town or rural areas.
+ Trimester Programs
As a trimester exchange student to Australia, you will live with a local host family for 3 months and truly be immersed in the culture.
School
Exchange students will be placed in public or private high schools in the year level and class schedule determined by their host school. Most students will not be placed in the final year of high school and attendance recognition is solely at the discretion of the school to which you are enrolled. Exchange students are expected to actively participate in school. While schools can vary, they follow a national curriculum that includes the following subjects: Arts, English, Health and Physical Education, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography, History, Languages, Mathematics, Science, and Technologies.
Orientations
All students applying for the Fall Trimester will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
After arrival in Australia, all students will attend an arrival orientation and re-entry orientation with their local volunteer coordinator. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Age Requirement
- 2020 Fall Departure: Students born April 1, 2003 – July 1 2005.
- 2020 Summer Departure: Students born January 1, 2003 – April 1, 2005.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Trimester | Mid July | Early October | $14,195 |
| Summer Trimester | Mid April | Early July | $14,195 |
2020 Summer Program
Please note that YFU USA is no longer accepting applications for 2020 Summer programs. YFU USA fully expects that this program will take place in the summer of 2021. While we don’t yet know what the program tuition will be, we are ready to offer students the opportunity to lock in their 2021 exchange at a price of no more than the current 2020 price plus 10 percent. If you are interested in enrolling in the 2021 program with the 2020 tuition lock, or you’d like to learn more, please contact us at info@yfu.org or begin your application today.
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local Australian high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a local volunteer while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Language
English. Although there will not be a language barrier, you will be able to learn the unique Australian lingo!
Host Family Placement
Placements can be in all states and in urban, suburban, small town or rural areas.
CBYX is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by YFU USA.