What is the National Youth STEM Summit?
The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is proud to deliver the National Youth STEM Summit for the third year, taking place in Melbourne, Victoria, from 19 to 21 July 2025.
The STEM Summit is an exclusive three-day conference-style event specifically designed to help you discover your professional identity and take real steps toward your dream STEM career.
The program boasts a diverse range of sessions, including:
- Keynote presentations from Australia’s top leaders in science and technology
- Panel discussions exploring diverse pathways and big ideas
- Workshops that build your study, career, and networking skills
- Networking opportunities to connect with like-minded peers and key government, industry and academic professionals
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Dates: Saturday 19 – Monday 21 July 2025
Program
Keynote speakers
- Dr Doug Hilton AO, Chief Executive of CSIRO
- Professor Alan Duffy, astronomer, science communicator and Pro Vice Chancellor Flagship Initiatives at Swinburne University of Technology
- and more to be announced!
Workshops
Empowering your messaging for future career progression
Expert guidance from recruiters in STEM to develop a strong CV, helping to open the door to interview.
Future-Proofing Your STEM Career – Building Resilience for Success
Explore practical strategies to build career resilience and thrive in STEM fields.
- Lucinda Mathieson, STEM Careers and Programs Coordinator for the Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne
Communicating with Confidence
Everyone says, “just tell a story”, but how do we do that?
- Dr Catriona Nguyen-Robertson, science communicator at the University of Melbourne
Panels
Melbourne: A City of Possibility
Hear leaders across the Victorian STEM sector explore what drives Melbourne’s dynamic spirit and how the city is shaping the future.
Thriving in the Workplace: Skills for Success
Discover the essential non-subject matter skills that help you in the modern STEM workplace.
- Dr Angeline Achariya FTSE FAIRST GAICD, global leader in commercialising innovations in agribusiness industries and CEO of Innovation GameChangers.
- Dr Andrew Peele FAIP FTSE, Group Executive for ANSTO Nuclear Science and Technology
Building a Career in STEM
Find your passion, overcome challenges, and make a lasting impact – hear from STEM professionals from diverse fields share their real-world experiences, career journeys, and the pivotal moments that shaped their paths.
- Associate Professor Phoebe Toups Dugas, Human Centred Computing at Monash University
- Laura Shakespeare, Data Scientist at Google
Networking
STEM Study and Career Expo
Network, connect, and seek opportunities at the National Youth STEM Summit Study and Careers Expo
Atlassian Proudly Presents: The 2025 National Youth STEM Summit Welcoming Networking Event
Pricing
Early Bird Equity Registration (till 31 May): $170
Equity Registration: $250
Equity Registration is available to delegates who are full time students, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, from remote or regional areas, have a disability or long-term health/medical condition, or are experiencing financial hardship.
Early Bird Standard Registration (till 31 May): $395
Standard Registration: $495
Who can attend the STEM Summit?
The STEM Summit is designed for people aged 18+ who are currently pursuing tertiary studies and training or are in the early stages of their careers. However, we also welcome individuals outside this scope to attend if they feel the conference may benefit them.
Access and Equity support is available
Thanks to generous support from a range of sponsor organisations, we can offer Equity pricing alongside Standard registration. Additional support may become available through Access and Equity Scholarships.
In 2024, 21 delegates received Access and Equity Scholarships thanks to these sponsor organisations and individual donors.
In 2025, the National Youth Science Forum is committed to continuing to support those who need it to attend the STEM Summit and to enable participation from a diverse cohort of emerging STEM professionals. If you meet any of the criteria listed below and require support to attend, we encourage you to fill out this form.
- full time student,
- from remote or regional areas,
- from a low socio-economic background,
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander,
- LGBTQIA+,
- disability or long-term health/medical condition,
- from any other backgrounds that might need support.
Access and Equity Scholarships vary each year, and support is not guaranteed.
Why should I attend the STEM Summit?
Wondering why you should attend the STEM Summit? Dive into some of our 2024 delegate testimonials below.
“I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) STEM Summit, where I connected with amazing delegates from across Australia, all passionate about various STEM fields. My highlight of the program was undoubtedly Dr. Cathy Foley’s keynote lecture, where she spoke about Australia’s future in STEM and the critical steps we need to take to address global challenges like climate change. It was truly inspiring. I was also honoured to meet Dr. Foley in person at the NYSF’s 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Parliament House. A truly unforgettable experience!” – Zeb, 2024 National Youth STEM Summit delegate.
“I made so many connections with absolutely incredible and inspiring people over the course of the Summit that, by the end of the Summit, connecting with other people had become my favourite part.” – Julia, 2024 National Youth STEM Summit delegate.
“So fortunate to have been a part of this incredible experience both as a young Indigenous Woman and as an aspiring academic. A jam packed weekend of inspiring panels and equally fantastic peers. I most certainly would recommend and hope to return in future.” – Stacey, 2024 National Youth STEM Summit delegate.
“It was such an amazing opportunity to engage with other youth exploring STEM degrees and hear about potential career paths in STEM. As a law and science student, I’ve often wondered what a career path that utilised both degrees would look like for me, and having the ability to talk to employers and companies about what it could look like for me has fuelled my passion for both my degrees.” – Leah-Cherie, 2024 National Youth STEM Summit delegate.
Sign me up!
To register for the 2025 National Youth STEM Summit, please click here.
I’m interested in sponsoring the 2025 National Youth STEM Summit
If you’re a government, industry, or academic organisation that is interested in hearing more about sponsorship opportunities at the 2025 National Youth STEM Summit, please contact us at partnerships@nysf.edu.au.