From the classroom to the world stage!
The Australian Science Olympiads (ASO) is a staged science enrichment program for highly motivated senior students in Australian high schools. The program covers four separate disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, and Physics.
The program allows schools to test student abilities against the national cohort; provides opportunities for teachers to challenge and extend their very best students; and allows students to build their skills, experience, knowledge and connections.
The program consists of three stages:
- Competing in one or more Australian Science Olympiad Exam; offered in biology, chemistry, Earth and environmental science, and physics.
- Being invited to attend the Australian Science Olympiad Summer School in one of the four disciplines.
- Being selected to represent Australia at an International Science Olympiad.
While only a select few will go on to make the international teams, participation in the ASO Exam and Summer School is a prestigious and valuable experience for schools and students alike.
Australian Science Innovations have been coordinating the selection and support of the Australian teams for over thirty-five years, with staff who go above and beyond for the program. Our dedicated participants are supported 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 Junior Science Olympiad program for Year 7 to 10 students, or the Big Science Competition.
Important Updates for 2025 – more information here
Registrations for the 2025 ASO Exams are open. Registrations close Wednesday 2 July 2025 5pm AEST. Find out how to register.
On this page, find information about:
Australian Science Olympiad Exams
The Australian Science Olympiad Exams are challenging but rewarding online exams held once a year in the following disciplines:
- Physics – Monday 4 August 2025 (pen-and-paper format)
- Biology – Tuesday 5 August 2025
- Earth and Environmental Science – Wednesday 6 August 2025
- Chemistry – Thursday 7 August 2025
Students may sit the exam for one or more disciplines. Exams are two-hours long.
The cost is $16.50 (including GST) per student, per exam. In 2025, the Earth and Environmental Science Exam is free. You do not need a promo code – unlimited free registrations are available on the registration form.
All students sitting the same exam must do so at the same time, under normal exam conditions and supervision.
All students who wish to be considered for ASO Summer School and selection on the team representing Australia at the International Science Olympiads in the following year must sit our ASO Exam.
Registrations for the 2025 ASO Exams are open.
Registrations close Wednesday 2 July 2025 5pm AEST. Find out how to register.
Important Updates for 2025
Based on valuable feedback from both teachers and students, we have decided to revert the Physics Olympiad paper to a pen-and-paper format this year. This change comes in response to requests for a more traditional assessment experience that better supports students’ problem-solving and working styles. Teachers will receive the paper exams by registered mail ahead of the Physics exam.
The ASO Biology, Chemistry and Earth & Environmental Science Exams will continue to be conducted on devices, with enhanced security and integrity ensured through the use of LockDown Browser. This added measure is also being utilised for the 2025 JSO Exam.
- 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.
For further details, please read the 2025 ASO Exam Key Information. Administration and installation guides will be emailed to registered teachers, and available in the ASI Teacher Portal. Please contact our team on asi@asi.edu.au if you have any queries.
ASO Exams FAQs
You can review the syllabus and exam formats of the disciplines here:
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.
Important Updates for 2025
The ASO Biology, Chemistry and Earth & Environmental Science Exams will require the use of LockDown Browser on student devices to ensure enhanced security and integrity.
- 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.
Note: the Physics Olympiad exam will be a pen-and-paper format this year, therefore LockDown Browser does not apply to ASO Physics Exam.
These measures help maintain a fair testing environment and ensuring that every student’s performance reflects their true ability. Thank you for your understanding and efforts to help us deliver a secure and well administered exam.
For further details, please read the 2025 ASO Exam Key Information. Administration and installation guides will be emailed to registered teachers, and available in the ASI Teacher Portal.
We encourage all students to take advantage of our collection of ASO 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.
Download, print and display the 2025 ASO Exam poster here.
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.
For further details, please read the 2025 ASO Exam Key Information. Administration and installation guides will be emailed to registered teachers, and available in the ASI Teacher Portal.
You can find more information in our Competition and Exam Support webpage.
The Australian Science Innovations (ASI) office will be open from 7am to 6pm AEST, Monday to Friday during the exam period.
Please contact us on 02 6125 6228, or email us on asi@asi.edu.au
Registrations for the 2025 ASO Exams are open!
Interested but not ready to register? Subscribe to the ASI Program Updates mailing list!
It starts with the ASO Exam....
In 2020, Olivia sat the ASO Exam from her school, Darwin High School in the Northern Territory. Olivia’s dedication, exceptional abilities and outstanding performance in subsequent qualifying exams earned her a spot on the team to represent Australia at the 2021 IESO.
Australian Science Olympiads Summer School
Following the completion of the exams, high achieving students may be selected and offered a place at our residential camp, ASO Summer School, held at the Australian National University in January. This part of the program is by invitation-only.
Each year, we invite twenty-four of the top performing eligible students from each of the Australian Science Olympiad Exams (Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, and Physics) to the Australian National University for two-weeks of accelerated hands-on learning. Students are selected to participate in one discipline only.
ASO Summer School 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.
The 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 96 students who attend the ASO Summer School are deemed to have the potential, and may be selected, to represent Australia at the International Science Olympiads.
The ASO Summer School has been a staple of the Australian Science Olympiads experience for over thirty years!
ASO Summer School FAQS
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
Lily's Summer of Chemistry
“At Summer School, our tutors’ passion was clear and shone through in their dedication to every student. Being in an environment where curiosity was encouraged definitely confirmed for a number of us that STEM is the right pathway for us.”
International Science Olympiads
A chance to represent Australia at the International Science Olympiads!
Following the intense learning sessions and further exams at the ASO Summer School, the teams are selected to represent Australia at one of the International Science Olympiads. Four students are selected in Biology, Chemistry and Earth and Environmental Science. Five are selected in Physics.
Olympiad medal wins provide recognition for the Australian schools and teachers leading the way in shaping our scientists of the future.
Making an Australian Science Olympiad Team involves:
- A further residential training program – in April for Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and in July for Earth and Environmental Science.
- For physics only, eight students are selected to attend the Asian Physics Olympiad in May.
- An official Australian Olympiad Teams Announcement at Parliament House in June – affectionately known as the Blazer Ceremony, students receive their team uniform with the official Australian Coat of Arms. Immediate family, teachers and principals are invited to attend.
- Travel to the host country in July or August 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 Science Olympiads Australian Team FAQS
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
Elizabeth's new perspective
After outperforming other students through tough rounds of selection, Liz competed at the 2000 International Chemistry Olympiad in Copenhagen, Denmark. This experience opened her eyes up to how much bigger science is than what you learn at high school.
Try Past Exam Papers with Answers!
Are you thinking about sitting the Australian Science Olympiad Exams this year? Check out the past ASO Exam Papers with Answers. Such a great tool to help your students!
Study with Olympiads Online
Australian Science Olympiads Online will help you get in shape for the Australian Science Olympiad Exams – the first step to becoming a Science Olympian.
Exam Support for Teachers & Facilitators
The Competition and Exam Support page supports teachers and facilitators to administer our exams with helpful troubleshooting options and support documents.