Competition Details 

To participate in the Australian Space and Astronomy Olympiad, students must meet the following criteria:

• Enrolment: Students must be currently enrolled and attending a registered Australian high school.

• Junior Team Age Limit: To be eligible for selection for the Junior International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA Junior), students must have been born after July 1, 2010.

• Senior Team Age Limit: To participate in the IOAA students should be no more than 20 years of age before the 1st of July in the year of the competition and hsould not have completed tehir high school education before the 1st of January in the year of the competition.

• How to Register: All registrations must be submitted by a teacher or school administrator on behalf of their students. We do not accept registrations directly from students. Please speak with your science teacher to get involved. Instructions for schools to register their students will be coming soon.

• Registration Fee: The total cost of registration is $22 AUD per student (including a $0.50 booking fee and GST).

• Registration Date: Registration has been extended to the 14th of February 2026. If registration has not been completed by this date please contact Lachlan McGinness directly at lachlan.mcginness@asi.edu.au to organise late registration.

• For registration, you only need to know the number of students, not their  names or year levels. 

• Registration Link: https://www.trybooking.com/DHPYZ

Citizenship for International Competition: While non-citizens are welcome to sit the exam, only Australian citizens are eligible for selection to represent Australia at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA).

For a student to be considered for selection for the Australian international team, their completed exam paper must be returned by mail.

Mailing Deadline: Papers must be received by March 6, 2026.

Mailing Address: Lachlan McGinness, Building 38, Science Road, Australian National University, ACT, 2600

To ensure a fair and equitable examination environment for all, only the following equipment is allowed in the exam:

Allowed in the Exam:

• Calculators (scientific only)

• Rulers

• Pencils, pens, and erasers

Strictly Prohibited:

• Mobile phones

• Smartwatches

• Any other electronic device capable of accessing the internet