New Zealand Exchange Program Prices
Your guide to our programs and pricing information
The cost of your exchange program in New Zealand will depend on the duration of your exchange.
Explore our programs and prices. Then contact the high school exchange experts to answer all your questions and prepare a detailed quote to match your budget and goals. We have expert staff in both Australia and New Zealand to help make your exchange a success.
Programs available in New Zealand: Classic High School.
New Zealand Classic High School
The Classic High School program is the ideal choice for the flexible student. You will be matched with a host family on either the North or the South Island and attend a local high school.
New Zealand Classic High School Prices
| Classic Program Length | Price AUD | 2025/26 Program Dates | 2025/26 Program Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Year | $9,450 | Jan 29, 2026 – Nov 28, 2026 | NO MORE SPOTS |
| Academic Semester | $8,400 | Jan 29, 2026 – Jun 27, 2026 | NO MORE SPOTS |
| Short 3 Months | $7,400 | Jan 24, 2026 – Apr 18, 2026 | NO MORE SPOTS |
| Classic Program Length | Price AUD | 2026/27 Program Dates | 2026/27 Program Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Year | $9,450 | Jul 9, 2026 – Apr 24, 2027 | Jan 31, 2026 |
| Academic Semester | $8,400 | Jul 9, 2026 – Nov 28, 2026 | Jan 31, 2026 |
| Short 3 Months | $7,400 | Jul 4, 2026 – Sept 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2026 |
| Academic Year | $9,450 | Jan 28 – Nov 27, 2027 | Sept 30, 2026 |
| Academic Semester | $8,400 | Jan 28 – Jun 26, 2027 | Sept 30, 2026 |
| Short 3 Months | $7,400 | Jan 23 – Apr 17, 2027 | Sept 30, 2026 |
Apply Early: Application deadlines may change due to limited capacity. Apply early to secure your preferred program.
Flight Inclusions & Surcharges: Program fees include a flight budget. If actual costs exceed this budget for departures before July 2026, a Flight Surcharge may apply. See Flight Surcharges for details.
Program Dates: Start dates indicate approximate arrival times. Confirmed dates will be shared in advance to avoid confusion.
Flight Changes: Flights must align with partner-set schedules. A $300 fee (plus airline costs) applies for early departures or personal travel changes, due to the coordination required with travel agents, overseas partners, and natural parents/guardians.
The New Zealand Classic High School program includes:
- Return economy airfares from your nearest capital city with a reputable carrier. Please note that a flight surcharge may be applied to all applications. We reserve the right to increase the flight surcharge if, at the time of making flight bookings, airlines are charging a higher amount for flight prices. If there is no increase made to flight prices, then we will not charge a flight surcharge.
- Travel to and from your host community at the beginning and the end of the program – this may be a domestic flight, bus or rail transfer. **
- Full comprehensive medical, hospital, health, accident, baggage, cancellation, personal liability & travel insurance. Please be aware that full medical insurance is provided for all COVID pandemic related medical costs whilst on program but any other COVID specific related expenses including but not limited to early return or quarantine fees are not covered by this insurance policy. The policy can be viewed in full on the insurance page on our website.
- Your own Southern Cross Cultural Exchange Program Coordinator to support you throughout your time away as necessary and required.
- Application Support.
- Online Pre-Departure Orientation.
- Arrival Orientation meeting in your host country (may be in your host community). Welcome Camp included.
- Full board in a carefully selected host family.
- Enrolment at your host school. In most destinations, students are not required to wear a school uniform. Additional costs will apply where required for uniforms, school cafeteria/canteen meals/books/materials/transport and excursions etc.
- Southern Cross Cultural Exchange admin costs.
- 24/7 emergency phone support.
- Organisation & Local Coordinator in your host country.
- Certificate of Completion.
** Southern Cross Cultural Exchange is required to book flights for students to arrive and depart at set times, as stipulated by the overseas partner. A further fee of $300 is required to make any additional changes to the flights for a requested earlier departure or for personal travel at the end of the program. This will be in addition to the airline cost to make any change to the flights.
Not included in New Zealand Classic High School program price:
| Personal spending money | AU$400-500 per month |
| Vaccinations & Visa Applications | Personal expense |
| School expenses | Books, school materials, transport to/from school/school trips |
| Soft Landing Camp | Included in program fee for Academic Semester & Year programs |
| Flight surcharge (for departures before July 2026) | Budgeted flight cost is AU$1,200 and the surcharge is the amount beyond this at the time of booking flights. |
| Additional luggage fees | As charged by the airlines |
| Optional excursions and tours | May be arranged by your host school or Local Coordinator once on program at an additional cost. |