Program Summary:
- Program: Classic program, Classic with Regional/City Choice (long programs only)
- Program length: Short and Long programs
- Vaccinations: Yes
- Discounts and Scholarship: Yes
- Language criteria: Yes
- Language course: Available for August programs
- Welcome Camp: Yes
High school exchange – Classic Program
Age and eligibility
- Students from 15 – 17 may apply.
- An academic average of C grades over the last two years are required.
Language criteria
Intermediate German reading & listening. We encourage students to become familiar with the German language so they can read it well, understand quite a lot of what is being said, and attempt to speak it as much as they can, prior to going on exchange.
An Online Language Course is available for August Academic Semester & Year programs.
Program length
Classic Academic Semester & Academic Year programs, Short 2 & 3 month programs available.
Regional & City Choice options are available on request for Academic Semester & Year Programs.
Schools
Germany’s secondary education system is comprised of different types of schools and students are assessed based on their grades to determine which school type is most appropriate for them. Each state has varying start and end dates.
German schools offer core subjects like math, German, foreign languages, science, history, and physical education, as well as elective courses in IT, music, photography. School days begin early and end around midday. The system is well-structured and produces high-performing results, enabling students to pursue university education regardless of their financial background.
Important things you should know: School uniforms are not required and all lessons are taught in German allowing you to fully immerse in the language and culture.
Visa
Students travelling on an AU/NZ passport do not need a Visa before entering Germany. They can enter the country with just their passport on a tourist visa which is valid for 90 days.
Within the first 90 days the student needs to go to his/ her local foreigners office in Germany and apply for a resident’s permit.
The necessary documents will be sent to the student’s host family. Moreover, the appointment should be set up as soon as possible after having arrived in Germany because waiting periods can be quite long. The residents permit can cost the student up to 100€. Further guidance will be provided.
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.
Australia: Department of Home Affairs, Finnish Embassy, Canberra, ACT
Australia: Foreign Embassies & Consulates
New Zealand: Foreign Embassies & Consulates
Departures January – April 2026
We may need to charge a flight surcharge if we cannot obtain a flight within the budget below:
Europe / UK: AU$3,000
USA: AU$3,200
Canada: AU$3,500
Australia: AU$1,500
South America: AU$3,200
Japan: AU$2,500
For more information, please see our Flight Surcharge Policy on our Money Matters page.
Departures July 2026 onwards
Due to a stabilisation in air flight price volatility, we are happy to announce that we will no longer be applying the flight surcharge for departures after and including July 2026. This is great news for our travellers, who can now be assured there will be no unexpected costs to consider in their total travel costs.
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 as program dates are dependent upon the district that you are placed in. We will notify you of your confirmed program dates ahead of time to prevent any confusion or inconvenience.
If a student arrives on a date other than the suggested arrival dates, an additional fee will be applied. If a student departs earlier or later than the program’s schedule and requires assistance for transfers, an extra charge will be incurred. In cases where a student is travelling as an unaccompanied minor and needs special assistance at the airport, additional fees will apply. The specific costs will be determined based on the program, arrival and departure details, and any additional services required, such as meet and greet, pick-up service, or private transfers.
Please click here to learn more about the Scholarships & Discounts available.
Classic Program Prices for Germany
| Length | Arrive | Depart | Price AUD | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Year | Aug 29, 2026 | Jun 19, 2027 | $12,950 | Mar 15, 2026 |
| Academic Semester | Aug 29, 2026 | Jan 23, 2027 | $11,950 | Mar 15, 2026 |
| 3 Months | Oct 25, 2026 | Jan 18, 2027 | $8,950 | Jun 27, 2026 |
| 2 Months | Nov 29, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | $8,450 | Jul 31, 2026 |
| Academic Year | Jan 16, 2027 | Nov 20, 2027 | $12,950 | Sep 1, 2026 |
| Academic Semester | Jan 16, 2027 | Jun 19, 2027 | $11,950 | Sep 1, 2026 |
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 as program dates are dependent upon the district that you are placed in. We will notify you of your confirmed program dates ahead of time to prevent any confusion or inconvenience.
If a student arrives on a date other than the suggested arrival dates, an additional fee will be applied. If a student departs earlier or later than the program’s schedule and requires assistance for transfers, an extra charge will be incurred. In cases where a student is travelling as an unaccompanied minor and needs special assistance at the airport, additional fees will apply. The specific costs will be determined based on the program, arrival and departure details, and any additional services required, such as meet and greet, pick-up service, or private transfers.
Please click here to learn more about the Scholarships & Discounts available.
Welcome Camp in Berlin
Additional AU$1,190 per student, August Academic Semester & Year only
Your exchange program in Germany will commence with an exciting journey at the Welcome Camp, situated in the captivating city of Berlin, Germany. During this three-day program, you will have the opportunity to connect with fellow students from Student Exchange Australia New Zealand who are also embarking on their exchange programs in Germany. Not only will you explore the capital of Germany, but you will also engage in workshops and sightseeing activities to ensure you are well-prepared for your exchange experience.
Our German partners conducted an evaluation with their host families, and noticed that the students who participated in the Welcome Camps were better with responding to challenges and dealing with them. They also observed that the students who met at the Welcome Camp visited each other, which meant that they were able to see more of Germany.
Welcome Camp is an optional extra exclusively available for long-term exchange programs, Academic Semester & Academic Year.
Online language course
Additional AU$1,990 per student, August Academic Semester & Year
We will be offering a unique opportunity – learning German online while maintaining an intercultural communication atmosphere, just like a real classroom. This course runs while the students are on exchange, which helps if they are struggling with the German curriculum, and provides additional tutoring to support their education.
The course will run from mid-September 15 to mid-November, for students who are on August Academic Semester or Year programs. This will include 4 German units (45 mins per week) and 45 mins of individual learning. This course is compulsory for students with a German level lower than B1, or optional for those with a higher German level than B1.
Many students have already started adapting to ‘Online Life’ and our language course is designed for improving their German skills, making friends, and having fun. The advantages of virtual group teaching:
- Participation in the language course at any location as long as internet access is possible.
- Students will learn in small international groups of max. 20 students.
- Quick learning success achievable through native speakers as teachers.
- All lessons are recorded and can be repeated to ensure learning progress In the interactive lessons, the specially trained native language teachers motivates the students to speak actively in the foreign language. The course takes place via a live webinar where students can interact with the teacher and other students who are also there to learn german in an interactive environment.
Germany Regional and City Choices
| Classic Program + additional fee | Price AUD |
|---|---|
| Region Choice – Northern Germany | $1,395 |
| Region Choice – Southern Germany | $1,395 |
| Region Choice – Eastern Germany | $1,395 |
| Region Choice – Western Germany | $1,395 |
| City Choice – Berlin | $8,750 |
| City Choice – Hamburg | $6,595 |
| City Choice – Munich | $6,595 |
| City Choice – Cologne | $6,595 |
Choose an upgrade to our Classic program for Semester or Academic Year students in Germany. Select your preferred region for your exchange and if you are placed in one of your preferred regions, an additional location fee applies. Selection is first come, first served and subject to availability. Limited spots available, so secure your spot soon to improve your chances of getting your preferred region.
Learn more at a LIVE Online Information Session
Information evenings run for about an hour. This is a great way to hear all about our exchange programs, destinations, latest offers and more.
They are friendly, free and are the best way for us to address your specific questions in person. We look forward to seeing you online!
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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Book a chat with our team
Once you complete the booking form below, we will send an email with the link to book in a time to chat with our team.
Please call our office if the application deadline is fast approaching & you need to get started quickly.
Education & Training Directorate, ACT Government
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NSW Department of Education
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Northern Territory Department of Education
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Queensland Department of Education & Training
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South Australia Department for Education
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Tasmanian Assessment, Standards & Certification
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Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
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Western Australia Department of Education
Learn moreStudent Exchange Australia New Zealand Ltd is a fully registered not-for-profit student exchange organisation in all Australian states and territories, ensuring compliance with both state legislation and national student exchange guidelines.
