You can review the syllabus and exam formats of the disciplines here:

• ASOE Biology
• ASOE Chemistry
• ASOE Earth and Environmental Science
• ASOE Physics

You can also get insight into the content from our collection of ASO Past Exam Papers, available for free.

We accept Australian high school students, ideally from Years 9 – 12. These are challenging exams and we recommend trying an ASO Past Exam and Olympiads Online prior to taking part. 

We acknowledge that teachers are best placed to understand the capabilities of each student, and support their judgement when registering students to sit one or more Australian Science Olympiad Exam.

Students must be 15 years or above at 1 January in the same year of the Australian Science Olympiad Summer School; and students must not yet have completed year 12 at the time of attendance at the Australian Science Olympiad Summer School.

Please note the eligibility criteria for the next stages of the program for students selected for ASO Summer School and International Science Olympiads, detailed on this webpage.

Registrations must come via schools, registered home schools or distance education facilities. We do not accept direct student registrations; all interested students should contact their science teacher or facilitator to discuss taking part.

Your school will require a member of staff to supervise the students during the two hours of the competition.

All students sitting the same exam must do so at the same time, under normal exam conditions and supervision.

For further details, please refer to the 2025 ASO Exam Technology Profile and the ASO Exam Administration & Troubleshooting Guide, when they become available.

We encourage all students to take advantage of our collection of Past Exam Papers available for free.

Students can also register for Australian Science Olympiads Online, which contains over 500 additional questions across the discipline-specific exams.

Not at this stage. The Australian Science Olympiad Exams are open to students enrolled in an Australian school or accredited home school.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept Australian citizens who attend a school overseas, or registrations from international schools. We encourage international schools to explore Olympiad opportunities within their own home country.

You may like to consider if the Big Science Competition, our international online science competition, is suitable to your international school.

No, we only accept registrations via schools, registered home schools and distance education facilities. This is to maintain the integrity of the competition.

We cannot accept registrations from tutoring centers.

We encourage all students to discuss options to sit the competition with their teacher. Students need a quiet space with a computer where they can sit the test under normal exam conditions and supervision.

Stay tuned for the 2025 posters!

Students receive a certificate indicating their performance.

Teachers and facilitators can access and download the reports and certificates via the ASI Teacher Portal.

Further opportunities may be extended to high achieving students after the ASO Exam. We will contact successful students directly via phone and email, to offer them a place at the ASO Summer School.

You can find information about the ASO Summer School and International Science Olympiads Team further down this webpage.

Entry into the ASO Summer School program is by invitation only, offered to selected students. You must first sit one of the Australian Science Olympiad Exams and receive an exemplary result. However, a certain mark or level of result is not a guarantee that an invitation will be extended.

Please note, a student who scores around 40% in one or more past papers is in a good position to achieve a good result in an ASO exam.

A passable mark is not set for the exams as this varies based on the year and the exam.

We encourage students to try their best and prepare for the exams by studying using the Australian Science Olympiads Online and Past Exam Papers.

Please refer to the 2025 ASO Exam Technology Profile and the ASO Exam Administration & Troubleshooting Guide, when they become available.

You can find more information in our Competition and Exam Support webpage.

The Australian Science Innovations (ASI) office will be open from 7 am to 6 pm AEST, Monday to Friday during the exam period.

Please contact us on 02 6125 6228, or email us on asi@asi.edu.au

Early in the new year, 96 students travel to Canberra for over 2 weeks of intense science programs at the Australian National University. Students are selected to participate in one of the disciplines only, and will actually complete one university-level subject of either Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, or Physics.

Students will be exposed to science like never before and will be challenged to learn, adapt and extend themselves in hands-on practicals, challenging theory examinations and in-the-field research. It is an opportunity to use world-class science facilities and meet world-renowned experts in their fields.

This is a highly structured and intensive residential school. The students are fortunate to be guided by program directors and deputy directors, dedicated to sharing their skills, knowledge, and experience. They are mentored and supported by program staff who have experienced ASO Summer School themselves. A team of support staff are available to ensure their experience is safe, fulfilling and enjoyable.

Being selected to attend ASO Summer School is not only a great opportunity to delve further into science, but the students undertake examinations and testing whilst here to be selected to represent Australia at the International Science Olympiads.

Staying on-campus in Australian National University accommodation is also an amazing experience, and it’s a great opportunity to gain first-hand insight into ‘university life’. A highlight is meeting other like-minded individuals who share a passion for science.

ASO Summer School is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, available for selected high achieving students chosen after sitting the ASO Exams.

To be eligible to accept the Australian Science Olympiads Summer School invitation, students must:

• Have sat one of the discipline specific Australian Science Olympiad Exams
• Hold current Australian citizenship at the time a Summer School offer is made
• Reside in Australia
• Students must be 15 years or above at 1 January in the same year of the Australian Science Olympiad Summer School; and students must not yet have completed year 12 at the time of attendance at the Australian Science Olympiad Summer School.

Entry into the ASO Summer School program is by invitation only. Successful students will be contacted via phone and email to offer them a place.

Whilst you cannot apply directly to attend ASO Summer School, you can contact your science teacher or school admin about participating in the ASO Exam at your school.

In 2024, the cost was $3,000, which covers all travel, meals, accommodation, tutoring and equipment. Financial assistance is available where students can show financial need.

Alumni are former ASI students who have attended an ASO Summer School, JSO Spring School or have represented Australia at the International Science Olympiad or International Junior Science Olympiad. They proudly advocate and network on our behalf, volunteer and work as program staff, and tell their stories. Find out more about our Alumni Program here.

If you are an Alumni from the above ASI programs or teams, who would like to register for our Alumni program, or update your details, please email alumni@asi.edu.au

The details of the International Science Olympiads in 2025 are as follows (to be confirmed):

Asian Physics Olympiad: 4 to 12 May, Saudi Arabia

International Chemistry Olympiad: 5 to 14 July, United Arab Emirates

International Physics Olympiad: 17 to 25 July, France

International Biology Olympiad: 20 to 27 July, Philippines

International Earth Science Olympiad: 7 to 17 August, China

Please note that travel plans for Australian teams are to be determined. We prioritise student and staff safety and will only travel to locations DFAT advise to be safe and, as part of the planning process, we monitor the advice issued by them for all locations. While usually minimal, there is always a risk that things may change and we cannot travel. However, we continue with normal training and select a team. In the very worst case of not being able to travel, we will look to find an alternate option.

To be eligible to be selected for the team representing Australia at the International Science Olympiads, students must:

• Have qualified through the ASO Exam
• Be an Australian Citizen travelling on an Australian Passport
• Not have commenced University
• Age restrictions may also apply

Attendance at the International Science Olympiads is by selection only. Successful students will be contacted via phone and email.

Please note, the process to select the national team takes twelve months; therefore, students who sit the exams in July 2024 may be considered for the team attending the 2025 International Science Olympiads.

Whilst you cannot apply directly to the ISO Australian Team, you can contact your science teacher or school admin about participating in the ASO Exam at your school.

In 2024, the cost was $3,000 per student to attend an international event. Financial assistance is available where students can show financial need.

Alumni are former ASI students who have attended an ASO Summer School, JSO Spring School or have represented Australia at the International Science Olympiad or International Junior Science Olympiad. They proudly advocate and network on our behalf, volunteer and work as program staff, and tell their stories. Find out more about our Alumni Program here.

If you are an Alumni from the above ASI programs or teams, who would like to register for our Alumni program, or update your details, please email alumni@asi.edu.au