Extend your science knowledge!
The Junior Science Olympiad is a staged science enrichment program for highly motivated students in Australian high schools in Years 7 to 10.
The program is designed to inspire and challenge young science enthusiasts. It supports thousands of talented students through national exams, digital training squad and talent development program, intensive residential camps and international competitions. The JSO program aims to enhance student achievement in our Australian Science Olympiad Program.
The program consists of three stages:
- Sitting the Junior Science Olympiad Exam, which covers biology, chemistry, Earth and environmental science, and physics.
- Being invited to attend the Junior Science Olympiad Spring School.
- Being selected to represent Australia at the International Junior Science Olympiad.
To support students who may have limited opportunities due to their geographic location, socio-economic background, or indigenous status we offer additional training components:
- The Junior Science Olympiad Training Squad.
- The Junior Science Olympiad Talent Development Program.
Australian Science Innovations have been coordinating the selection and support of the Australian teams for over thirty-five years, with the Junior Science Olympiad program being added to our suite of programs in 2020. Our staff go above and beyond for the program, supporting our participants during every step of this exhilarating journey. We are proud of the quality of the program and the results achieved.
Take a look at our other great programs, the Australian Science Olympiads program, or the Big Science Competition.
The 2025 JSO Exam Dates
Years 9 & 10 – Wednesday 11 June 2025
Year 7 & 8 – Friday 13 June 2025
New for 2025 – LockDown Browser – more information here
Registrations for the 2025 JSO Exam are open for 2025! Registrations close Thursday 5 June 2025 5pm AEST. Find out how to register your students.
On this page, find information about:
Junior Science Olympiad Exams
The Junior Science Olympiad Exams are challenging but rewarding online exams held once a year, which includes topics in science such as biology, chemistry, Earth and environmental Science, and physics.
- Junior Science Olympiad Exam Years 9 & 10 – Wednesday 11 June 2025
- Junior Science Olympiad Exam Years 7 & 8 – Friday 13 June 2025
The cost is $16.50 (including GST) per student.
All students who wish to be considered for JSO Spring School and selection on the team representing Australia at the International Junior Science Olympiad must sit our JSO Exam.
Exams are two-hours long and are completed wholly online. Students can only sit one exam level – the JSOE Years 7 & 8 or the JSOE Years 9 & 10. All students sitting the same exam must do so at the same time, under normal exam conditions and supervision.
Registrations are open for 2025! Find out how to register here.
New for 2025 - LockDown Browser
This year, we are introducing the LockDown Browser for our online exams to maintain the integrity of the Olympiad Exams. This secure browser restricts certain functions on students’ devices during the exam, helping maintain a fair testing environment and ensuring that every student’s performance reflects their true ability. For further details, please read the 2025 JSO Exam Key Information.
Important Notes
- All Olympiad exams can only be attempted in LockDown Browser environments.
- The LockDown Browser must be installed on all student devices prior to exam day. Installation guides will be emailed to registered teachers and will be available in the ASI Teacher Portal.
JSO Exam FAQs
2025 JSO Exam registrations are open!
Interested but not ready to register? Subscribe to the ASI Program Updates mailing list!
It starts with the JSO Exam...
Meet Jacinta, an ASI alum who found success in multiple ASI programs over the years, including being selected on the first ever Australian team to compete at the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO), and being selected for two International Science Olympiad teams.
Junior Science Olympiad Spring School
Following the completion of the exams, high achieving eligible students may be selected and offered a place at our residential camp, JSO Spring School, held at the Australian National University in September/ October. This part of the program is by invitation-only.
Each year, we invite twenty-four of the top performing eligible students from the Junior Science Olympiad Exam to the Australian National University for ten days of accelerated hands-on learning.
JSO Spring School is a chance for students to further extend themselves in their science endeavours, connect with subject experts, and develop new friendships with like-minded students from across the country.
JSO Spring School students grow so much as individuals, but also take their new-found confidence, leadership and team-building skills and expanded science-repertoire back to the benefit of their schools and peers.
All 24 students who attend are deemed to have the potential, and may be selected, to represent Australia at the International Junior Science Olympiads.
Statistics indicate that students who have attended a Junior Science Olympiad Spring School go on to perform well in one or more Australian Science Olympiad Exams.
International Junior Science Olympiad
A chance to represent Australia at the International Junior Science Olympiad!
Following the intense learning sessions and further exams at the JSO Spring School, six students are selected for the team that represents Australia at the International Junior Science Olympiad. Olympiad medal wins provide recognition for the Australian schools and teachers leading the way in shaping our scientists of the future.
Making an Junior Science Olympiad Team involves:
- Further training days
- An official Australian Olympiad Teams Announcement – affectionately known as the Blazer Ceremony, students receive their team uniform. Immediate family, teachers and principals are invited to attend.
- Travel to the host country in December to compete on an international stage, and to engage in exciting cultural activities.
This competition encourages students to develop their talents and provides an environment for students to connect with people from unique backgrounds from across the world and experience different cultures. They have worked so hard to be selected and to prepare for the international competition, their achievements thus far are inspiring. The many medals and awards that our teams have won are well deserved, as you can see on our Honour Roll!
International Junior Science Olympiads Australian Team FAQS
Science extension programs provide enrichment and opportunities...
“My first Olympiad experience was attending an Junior Science Olympiad extension program, which really kickstarted my passion for science and also my participation in other Olympiad exams.”
Carolyn Wang participated in many ASI programs and exams before representing Australia at the International Earth Science Olympiads in 2024, where she won gold. Now she is studying medicine at university…
Junior Science Olympiad Training Squad
The JSO Training Squad is an acceleration program for younger students in regional, remote, and low socioeconomic schools.
We identify and invite 50 participants from the Junior Science Olympiad exam and the Big Science Competition who show promise and help them enhance their science knowledge and skills over a nine-month period.
JSO Training Squad students receive:
- Online resources curated by JSO staff in collaboration with Stile Education.
- Individual support and feedback from JSO staff.
- Online masterclass lessons on key topics to help stay motivated and engaged.
- Access to simulated practical exercises via a subscription to Pivot Interactives.
The student/s will also be exposed to a community of other students who love science and have opportunities to broaden their networks. We will provide schools with a summary of student results at the conclusion of each course to assist with overseeing their progress.
The cost $100 per student. Includes all learning tools and subscription fees.
The Training Squad program runs for nine months, commencing Term 4 each year. Selection to the Training Squad is by invitation, based on the performance in the Junior Science Olympiad Exam and/or Big Science Competition and meeting eligibility requirements.
Participation in the JSO Training Squad aims to student enhance performance in the Junior Science Olympiad Exam and the Australian Science Olympiad Exams but does not guarantee a place at any residential training school or International Olympiad.
JSO Training Squad FAQS
JSO Talent Development Program
The JSO TD Program is a national invitation-only online Program, offered to high-performing students under 16.
The aims of the TD Program are to provide a diverse group of students across Australia with the opportunity to follow their interest in science, make new friends, and support them to perform well in future Australian Science Olympiads.
The JSO TD Program runs for 20 weeks during Terms 3 and 4 in 2025 (Semester 1) and 20 weeks in Terms 1 and 2 in 2026 (Semester 2).
The format of JSO TD Program involves:
1. A 4 week ‘taster’ Program in July. Cost $50
- Students are invited to an initial 4 week ‘taster’ course involving 4 zoom lessons (one for each of the sciences) and consolidation work for each subject.
- Based on students’ engagement with and successful completion of the ‘taster’ Program, invitations will be sent for the Semester 2 Talent Development Program in early August 2025.
2. Semester 2 2025. Cost $300
- Four courses taught by subject experts, covering advanced Year 10 and some Year 11 content. Each course will involve a fortnightly 1-hour Zoom lesson combined with approximately 2 hours of homework in the alternate week.
- Two courses run for ten weeks – Biology and Earth Science in Term 3 and, Chemistry and Physics in Term 4.
- Each course concludes with an exam.
- The student/s will also be exposed to a community of teachers and other students who love science and have opportunities to broaden their networks. We will provide schools with a summary of student results at the conclusion of each course to assist with overseeing their progress.
3. Semester 1 2026. Cost $250
Based on students’ engagement with and successful completion of Semester 2 2025, invitations will be made in December for the 2026 Semester 1 Program, which will run in Terms 1 and 2 next year.
Costs include all learning tools and subscription fees. Financial assistance may be available.
Selection to the JSO TD Program is by invitation. Participation in the JSO TD Program aims to enhance performance by students from underrepresented areas in the Junior Science Olympiad Exam and the Australian Science Olympiad Exams but does not guarantee a place at any residential training school or International Olympiad.
JSO Talent Development Program FAQS
Try Past Exam Papers with Answers!
Studying for the Junior Science Olympiad Exams? Check out the past JSO Exam Papers with Answers. A great way to practice and learn!
Get Competition and Exam Support
The Competition and Exam Support page supports teachers to administer our programs with helpful troubleshooting options and support documents.
Curious about the Alumni Program?
Former ASI students who attended an ASO Summer School, JSO Spring School or on the team for International Science Olympiads or International Junior Science Olympiad.