The Abbott government is weighing up a plan to allow schools to work with universities and the corporate sector to boost jobs in the science and technology sector.
But the move comes as the government slashes funding to key science bodies including the CSIRO.
Mr Abbott on Wednesday ended a two-day visit to New York at a school touted by US President Barack Obama in last year's State of the Union speech.
Pathways in Technology Early College High School operates within the Paul Robeson High School for Business and Technology in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York.
It operates in partnership with computer giant IBM and a university.
Students graduate with a high school diploma and an associate's degree, earning it the nickname of America's first "hollege" (high school and two years of college).
Unlike other US colleges, the associate degree comes at no financial cost to the student.
"I believe this is an innovative and valuable education model for us to consider in Australia," Mr Abbott said.
After four years at P-TECH, students may finish their undergraduate studies at City Tech or another institution, or they may be able to move directly into a career in IT.
Mr Abbott told reporters after the visit these type of schools were being examined as part of the government's "competitiveness statement" to be released next month.
"We do need to strengthen our effort in science and technology," he said.
"Science is at the heart of a country's competitiveness."
He said if it was rolled out in Australian schools then the government's new deregulated university and TAFE fee system would not apply.
However if it was based on universities or TAFE colleges then fees would apply.
"I am not being prescriptive here," he said.
Asked how he could cut funding to bodies such as the CSIRO while pushing a science agenda, Mr Abbott said the budget savings were "modest" and the government planned to set up a $20 billion medical research fund.
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