Australian Geography Competition

It is open to students studying geography, or an integrated social science that includes geography, in all years of secondary school. Initially held in 1995, the Competition has a wide appeal to students, their families and teachers. In 2016 it attracted entries from approximately 66,000 students. The Competition is held each year in late March. It consists of multiple-choice questions testing geographical knowledge and skills. The answer sheets are centrally marked and all the participants receive certificates. Students are graded at three levels depending on their age – junior for students 13 and under; intermediate for students 14 and 15 years old; senior for students 16 and over. Australia's teams to the International Geography Olympiad and the National Geographic World Championship are chosen from students who excel in this competition, the former via Geography's Big Week Out. Geography's Big Week Out and Australia's participation in the International Geography Olympiads are supported by the Australian Government. At the 2016 Olympiad in Beijing, China, the Australian team took out the top spot ahead of other 44 teams.