2026 Information for Participants

What are the dates for the 2026 NYSF Year 12 Program?

The 2026 NYSF Year 12 Program will run two sessions:
 

• Session A, Canberra: Tuesday 6 – Wednesday 14 January 2026
• Session B, Brisbane: Tuesday 13 – Wednesday 21 January 2026

How does the NYSF communicate with students and families?

All critical information related to the NYSF Year 12 Program will be sent via email to you and your parent/guardian if you are under 18. Please do not rely on NYSF social media or any other communication platform as your only source of information.

Where will I stay in January?

You will stay at a university college residence at either the Australian National University (Session A) or the University of Queensland (Session B).

What is the accommodation like?

You will stay in a single room. Each room has a bed, wardrobe, desk, sink, and chair. On each floor, there are communal toilets and showers. Floors and bathrooms are not split according to gender, as this reflects the reality of living in university colleges. Occasionally, students require specific bathroom access for health and medical reasons. In these instances, we will work with our accommodation hosts to provide other options.

How am I allocated to a session?

You can select your preferred session during the application process. We endeavour to offer all successful students a place in their preferred sessions; however, due to capacity constraints, this is not always possible.

How do I contact the NYSF prior to January?

Please email nysf@nysf.edu.au if you have any enquiries about the upcoming program.

How do I contact the NYSF during the NYSF Year 12 Program?

For non-emergencies, you can email programs@nysf.edu.au

If you need to contact us urgently or it is an emergency, you can contact the NYSF Duty Phone. Contact details will be provided via our regular communications and the NYSF event app closer to January.

Where can I find the NYSF Code of Conduct/Policies?

To make the NYSF a safe, inclusive community for all participants, staff, and volunteers, it is essential that you adhere to the NYSF Code of Conduct, policies, and procedures while participating in NYSF events. Click the link to access the full document.

As part of your attendance at the NYSF Year 12 Program, we also ask specifically that you:

• Do not order food deliveries or groceries. All meals are provided during your stay; you will not need to order extra food or groceries. If there is a dietary problem, please speak to NYSF staff.
• Do not leave the college grounds without express permission from an NYSF corporate staff member (not including volunteers) as we have a duty of care for all participants.
• Ensure you pack everything you need for the duration of your stay, including a reusable water bottle, as there are limited opportunities to shop.
• Adhere to the ‘own room’ policy at nighttime from 10.30 pm unless otherwise advised.

 
Failure to adhere to the Code of Conduct, specific NYSF instructions or repeated breaches may result in you being removed from the program and sent home.

What do I need to do before January and when?

• Check your email – we regularly send out emails to keep you up to date with important information related to the NYSF Year 12 Program. If you are under 18, we will include your parents/guardians in any email communications as well.
• Keep your contact details, health and dietary information up to date, informing NYSF of any changes by emailing nysf@nysf.edu.au.
• From May to October 2025 - If you are not self-funding your attendance, agree on payment of fees with a Rotary Club or other sponsors. Invoices are sent directly to your family. You and your family are responsible for obtaining reimbursement from a Rotary Club or other sponsors.

Can I meet NYSFers before January?

In some areas of Australia, there are often NYSF-related events and receptions hosted by Rotarians and/or State/Territory governors/administrators. The NYSF will email you more information about relevant events in your area.

Should I purchase travel insurance?

NYSF highly recommends that families consider taking out a personal travel insurance policy before paying the program fee and booking any required travel. Travel insurance policies may cover your costs should you have to withdraw from the program, depart from the program early due to illness or injury, or need to change your travel plans. Please note, the NYSF is unable to provide any recommendations or advice on travel insurance.

What is the last date I can withdraw and get a refund?

Monday, 10 November 2025. Refunds are generally not available for withdrawals from the program after this date, and again, we strongly encourage participant families to organise travel insurance. Please refer to your Participant and Parent/Guardian Agreement for withdrawal terms and conditions.

If something unforeseen happens, please contact the NYSF immediately to discuss the matter. Be sure to also consult with your Rotary Club or other funding organisations if they are contributing to your program fee. If you are supported by a Rotary Club, and you choose to withdraw from the NYSF, your Rotary Club may expect its contribution returned.

I’ve been offered a place in another program. What should I do?

You may have been selected for other programs, such as the Australian Science Olympiad Summer School or the National Mathematics Summer School. Some of these programs may overlap with the NYSF Year 12 Program, and you may need to make a decision about which program you wish to attend. Due to the number of students attending the NYSF Year 12 Program, we are unable to make individual arrangements for varied attendance.

What is the program schedule?

The NYSF Year 12 Program is incredibly diverse and exciting! We include many new speakers and events to keep the program highly valuable and rewarding. Once it becomes available, you can find the full program schedule on the Whova app. Each day is split into morning, afternoon and evening sessions. 

What does a typical day look like?

Each day is full of exciting activities and opportunities to connect with others. You will start with an early breakfast, then head off to a morning activity – sometimes you’ll need to catch an early bus, depending on the schedule. Around midday, you will return to the accommodation for lunch and a short break before heading back out for afternoon activities. Dinner is served at the accommodation shortly after your return. In the evening, there is usually an activity planned – this could be something STEM-focused or a chance to unwind and have fun. To wrap up the day, you will meet with your floor group to reflect and share stories with your fellow participants. It’s a busy, fun and memorable experience from start to finish!

How do I travel to and from my allocated session?

Travel to and from the NYSF Year 12 Program is the responsibility of participants and families. The NYSF will provide shuttle buses from Brisbane Domestic and Canberra Airports, major trains and bus stations to your accommodation. If you choose to drive to your session, please note that there is no public parking at the accommodation, and any payment required for parking will be your responsibility.

What shall I bring to my session?

Here’s a packing list for your reference:
 
Clothes:
 

• Shorts & t-shirts
• Underwear/socks
• Smarter attire for Opening Event
• Hat with good sun protection
• Umbrella
• Jumper
• Long pants (may be required for lab visits)
• Sleep wear
• Neat shoes (for any formal occasions)
• Casual shoes, sneakers or runners (closed in shoes for lab visits)
• Clothes for disco event

 
Toiletries:
 

• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Soap, shampoo and conditioner
• Medications
• Sanitary items
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen/lip balm
• Tissues
• Bag for items needing to be washed
• Towel for showering

 
Other items:
 

• Water bottle
• Mobile phone and charger
• Travel tickets
• Medicare card or number
• ATM card
• Photo ID (Driver's licence of Student ID)
• Chargers for any other electronics
• Notepad/pen
• Musical instrument/sheet music (optional)
• Cash (optional, no more than $200)

 

You will be given an NYSF t-shirt and backpack on arrival

If you play a musical instrument, please bring it along, regardless of your ability. Towards the end of the session, we hold a performance evening, and all participants are invited to perform, so think about bringing along anything you need to participate. If you bring a musical instrument that will not fit into your baggage, like a tuba or a cello, then ask the travel company for their advice prior to departure.

Should I bring a laptop?

Some visits may require a device; however, we will let you know ahead of your stay if this is required. We recommend that you do not carry more cash or valuables than you need to. Any items you bring to in-person events are your responsibility.

Can I go to the shops during my session?

Access to shops is limited during the program and NYSF staff may not be able to provide items you have forgotten including medication. Please pack everything you need and check it.

Can I provide dietary requirements?

Yes. If you have any dietary requirements, please make sure they are listed on your NYSF registration details so we can inform the catering teams. Your accommodation will have plenty of meal choices, and the catering team will cater for all dietary requirements.

Our STEM hosts do sometimes provide morning or afternoon tea, and we will ensure that your dietary requirements are passed on to them.

Who can I speak to regarding health & medical needs?

If you need to take medication/s during the day, please make sure you bring them.

You will have the chance to speak with the NYSF staff or volunteers when you arrive at your session if you need to discuss anything further relating to your medication or dietary requirements.

What NYSF staff will be present in January?

The NYSF will have NYSF corporate staff, NYSF Session Coordinators (Casual Staff trained specifically to support the program), and volunteers at residential sessions.

Our volunteers include Rotary and Student Staff (NYSF alumni), who ensure visits run according to the schedule, that everyone gets to where they need to go and is safe.

There are many opportunities to socialise during your session. NYSF Student Staff are there to ensure you get the most out of the NYSF Year 12 Program.

All NYSF staff and volunteers hold valid Working with Children Checks (WWCC), first aid & CPR and have undergone national police checks.

If at any time you have any non-urgent questions about the NYSF Year 12 Program in general, your schedule or anything else relating to January, please feel free to contact us in the first instance at programs@nysf.edu.au.

Is there an event app?

The NYSF Year 12 Program will have a dedicated app that you can install to give you access to the schedule and save your individual visits. The NYSF mobile app helps keep participants and staff up to date on the schedule for each day of the program and chat with fellow NYSFers ahead of the program commencing. You will be advised how you can access the app closer to the end of the year.

Can I help promote the NYSF after the program?

Certainly! Your experience at the NYSF is not only valuable to you – it is also valuable to everyone who helped get you to the NYSF, as well as anyone who attends the NYSF Year 12 Program after you! To share your experiences, we encourage you to visit local schools and Rotary Clubs to tell others about your experience and encourage future applicants.

Local Rotary Clubs would love to have you visit them as long-term supporters of the NYSF. The ideal way to reach out to these clubs would be to offer to be a guest speaker at one of their regular meetings.

We also encourage you to speak at schools in your local area – certainly your own school, and other schools nearby.

At the end of January, we will provide you with some promotional material you can use to tell people about your time at the NYSF Year 12 Program.

Can I request that my friend is my NYSF Buddy or joins my floor group?

Participants who live in proximity on session will be assigned to the same floor group, for which you will have one student staff volunteer throughout the program, leading the floor group discussion at the end of each day.

You will be assigned a buddy, who will be another participant in the same NYSF Year 12 Program session. The purpose of the buddy system is so you can get to know someone with a similar passion for STEM before the NYSF program starts. Your buddy will not necessarily identify as the same gender as you.

How is my Constellation Group chosen?

Constellation Groups are assigned differently from your Floor Group and are only allocated once all students have been offered a place in the program and have confirmed they will attend. Constellation Groups are the groups you will attend STEM visits and events in.

Constellation groups cycle through all the areas of STEM so all groups receive the same types of visits.

How are my visits allocated?

NYSF is about broadening your horizons and helping you meet real STEM professionals and visiting a wide array of science and technology organisations. Because of this, visits are allocated based on recognised areas of STEM. Every Constellation Group is assigned to a ‘STEM Cluster’ and will rotate through 5 individual STEM visits (1 for each ‘STEM Cluster’) across the week, in addition to participating in other STEM events, including Specialist Lectures, Careers Day, STEM Speed-Meet, Science Communication and The Great Debate.

Visits are not allocated according to STEM preference, even though we collect this as part of your application process to understand how the program impacts participants decisions and futures down the track.

Can I swap STEM visits?

Due to the number of participants in each session, we typically do not permit participants to switch STEM visits. If there are any reasons, e.g., medical, why you cannot attend certain visits, please speak with an NYSF staff member as early as possible.