The Australian Science Olympiads are a staged science enrichment program for highly motivated students in Australian high schools.
The ultimate goal of the Australian Science Olympiads is to select the team to represent Australia at the International Science Olympiads.
We have been coordinating the selection of the international team for over thirty-five years.
Registrations for the Australian Science Olympiads have closed for 2023. We will open registration again in early 2024.
01. The Australian Science
Olympiad Exams
The Australian Science Olympiad Exams are challenging but rewarding online exams held once a year the following disciplines:
This year we are splitting the Junior Science Olympiad exam across two dates to allow more participants. The Junior Science Olympiad is recommended for students in years 7 – 10.
- Junior Science Olympiad
- Year 9 & 10 Wednesday 12 June 2024
- Years 7 & 8 Friday 14 June 2024
- Physics – Monday 29 July 2024
- Biology – Tuesday 30 July 2024
- Earth and Environmental Science – Wednesday 31 July 2024
- Chemistry – Thursday 1 August 2024
All students who wish to be considered for stage two and three of the program must sit the exam. Students may sit more than one exam.
Registrations are currently closed. Teachers who are administering the exams can find support and information here.
02. Pathway Programs
Following the completion of the exams, students may be offered a place in our pathway programs. All programs are by invitation-only.
Following the completion of the exams, students may be offered a place in our pathway programs. All programs are by invitation-only.
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- The Junior Science Olympiad Program
- The Australian Science Olympiad Program
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth and Environmental Science
- Physics
Each of these programs is a chance for students to further extend themselves in their discipline, connect with subject experts, and develop new friendships with like-minded students from across the country.
03. Represent Australia on the world stage
We select students to represent Australia at the International Science Olympiads.
Only students who attend the Australian Science Olympiad April Training Camp or the Junior Science Olympiad Spring School are eligible to be selected for the official Olympiad team.
The official delegation will travel to a the host country to compete on an international stage.
Register
FAQs
Exams are held on the following dates:
- Junior Science Olympiad Year 9 & 10 Wednesday 12 June 2024
- Junior Science Olympiad Years 7 & 8 Friday 14 June 2024
If you are a teacher and you are unable to sit the exams on these dates, please click here to submit an alternative sitting date.
All students must sit the same exam at the same time to maintain the integrity of the competition.
The exams are held online and are 2 hours long.
All students must sit the same exam at the same time to maintain the integrity of the competition.
The Junior Science Olympiad Exam covers the four disciplines up to a Year 10-level.
Review the syllabus of the discipline-specific exams here:
While the Junior Science Olympiad Exams only accepts students from Year 7 – 10, we accept capable students from all year levels for the discipline-specific exams.
We acknowledge that teachers are best placed to understand the capabilities of each student, and support their judgement when registering students to sit the Australian Science Olympiad Exams.
We encourage all students to take advantage of our collection of past papers available for free here. Please note as the Junior Science Olympiad program began in 2020, we have fewer past papers available.
Students can also register for Olympiads Online, which contains over 500 additional questions across the discipline-specific exams.
The cost is $15 +GST per exam, per student.
This year, the Earth and Environmental Exam is free.
We allow students to sit more than one exam.
We accept registrations through schools and will provide an invoice for payment. We do not accept student payments directly.
Students in Year 7-10 may sit the Junior Science Olympiad exams.
We accept capable students from all year levels for the discipline-specific exam (Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science and Physics).
We acknowledge that teachers are best placed to understand the capabilities of each student, and support their judgement when registering students to sit the Australian Science Olympiad Exams.
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.
Other eligibility criteria apply for the pathway programs.
No, we only accept registrations via schools, registered homeschools 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 general supervision.
Absolutely. We ask that students are supervised by a member of staff, and require two hours to sit the competition.
Students must sit the each exam together, on the nominated day.
- Year 9 & 10 Wednesday 12 June 2024
- Years 7 & 8 Friday 14 June 2024
If you are a teacher and you are unable to sit the exams on these dates, please click here to submit an alternative sitting date.
The top eligible students are selected for the pathway programs. 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 via Olympiads Online and past papers.
Yes! You can download the promotional material here.
- Printable Australian Science Olympiads Exams A4 Flyer
- Social Media – Love a Challenge? Register
- Social Media – Free Earth Science
- Social Media – Chemistry Tile
- Social Media – Biology Tile
- Social Media – Earth and Environmental Science
- Social Media – Physics
Entry into the pathway programs is by invitation only. You must first sit one of the Australian Science Olympiad exams and receive an exemplary result.
To attend the Junior Science Olympiad Spring School and Australian Science Olympiad Summer School you must be an Australian citizen and meet the age requirements.
See below for further information on the eligibility requirements for each program.