RoboCup Junior Australia gives students a practical, creative and accessible pathway into robotics, coding, engineering, design and teamwork.
Through local, regional, state and national events, students design, build and program autonomous robots to complete real-world inspired challenges. Along the way, they develop technical skills, confidence, creativity, resilience and the ability to work as part of a team.
RoboCup Junior is part of RoboCup, a global initiative reaching 100,000+ students in 50+ countries, and has supported Australian students since 1999.
Across all RoboCup Junior Australia events, 2022 to 2026.
4,967
students, up 86% from 2,665
2,501
teams, more than double 1,176
294
schools, up from 170
State championships are the heart of the season. In 2026, 3,142 students competed across six state championships, up 16% on 2025, with the strongest growth in the ACT (up 59%) and Queensland (up 27%).
The season ran 31 events in every state and territory, and peaked at the Australian Open National Championships in Canberra, where 748 students in 280 teams competed, supported by 140+ volunteers.
Relive the 2026 Australian Open National Championships in Canberra.
Schools don’t need the latest robot, or a new kit every year. Schools can run RoboCup with what they already have in the classroom, attend local, regional and state events, or host their own events in their local area.
Students are encouraged to test, fail, improve and try again. They learn that engineering is not just about the final robot. It is about iteration, communication, documentation, problem solving and teamwork.
A primary student might begin with a simple classroom robot and, by graduation, progress to a custom-built robot with sensors, electronics, mechanical design, computer vision and advanced programming.
RoboCup Junior Australia brings together students, teachers, parents, volunteers, mentors and robotics educators from across the country. With demand for STEM-skilled workers continuing to grow, programs like RoboCup Junior help students build the interest, confidence and capability to join that workforce.
Engage directly with teachers, parents and students at events in every state and territory.
Connect with students who are already designing, coding and problem solving, and help them see a career in your field.
Position your organisation alongside one of Australia’s most accessible and trusted robotics education programs.
RoboCup Junior is 100% volunteer run, and many of the people running it are former competitors who are now engineers and engineering students. These are the people your support helps create.
RoboCup got me into where I am today. I wouldn’t have considered robotics as a career until I participated in the state championships and met amazing people and chose engineering as a career.
Katrina Lo Surdo, RoboCup Junior Queensland Chair 2017–2018, now Senior Electrical Engineer at CSIRO Data61
“It was a really good opportunity for me to explore different areas of engineering, and that’s what showed me what I was interested in. I went on to study electronics engineering, and I work as an electronics engineer today. I wouldn’t have known that was something I’d be interested in otherwise.”
Ethan, University of Queensland Engineering Graduate and RoboCup Junior alumnus
“RoboCup offered me a phenomenal opportunity to get much more hands-on, real-world experience in engineering than I could have had through the classroom alone, and that’s what ultimately encouraged me to study engineering at university. I’m loving every minute of it.”
Dario, University of Queensland Engineering student and RoboCup Junior alumnus
“RoboCup was a great opportunity for me to cut my teeth, learn the basics, and work under pressure from a young age. I still work in electronics today, with an electrical engineering degree, and I love coming back each year to see the full cycle again.”
Tynan, University of Queensland Engineering Graduate and RoboCup Junior alumnus
Modern Teaching Aids supported RoboCup Junior Australia again in 2026 as a National Sponsor. Thanks to MTA, a workshop set of LEGO SPIKE Prime kits travels to events and workshops across Australia, so teachers get hands-on time with an instructor before buying for their classroom.
In 2026, 1,052 students and teachers joined RoboCup Junior workshops, run by classroom teachers, former competitors and experienced mentors.
“The RoboCup Junior teacher training reminded me that what we teach our kids can and should be fun. I was able to learn the basics with no experience in robotics or coding, and I had a great time doing it. The Modern Teaching Aids kits [SPIKE Prime kits] were easy to use and fun to play with.”
Kelly Fettes, pre-service teacher, MTeach (Biology and PE)
“In 14 years of teaching, I can count on one hand the PD that was directly beneficial to my students. Your robotics session was one of the best sessions I have attended.”
Mike Barenskie, STEM Manager and Teacher, Woodville High School
Thank you also to our 2026 National Championships sponsors: Major Event Sponsor the University of Canberra, Major Innovation Sponsor CEA Technologies, State Sponsor the ACT Government, and event sponsors Study Canberra, UNSW Canberra, PCBWay, Modern Teaching Aids and ATSE.
“This year was no different, with a calibre of competition and innovation we haven’t witnessed since before COVID, raising the bar for all students and demonstrating why Australia has some of the best STEM students in the world.”
Graham Stock, Vice-President and 2026 Nationals LOC Chair
RoboCup Junior Australia is designed to be accessible, flexible and meaningful for students and educators. That makes it one of the most accessible robotics competitions in Australia.
There is no qualification requirement for national events, so more students experience high-quality competition.
Teams use the platforms they have. Robots just can’t be designed to complete the challenge “off the shelf”.
Lower fees and reusable equipment keep participation affordable for schools.
Each challenge has structured divisions of increasing complexity, from beginner to advanced.
Soccer, Rescue and OnStage connect to real research and industry applications, from engineering to performance.
Hundreds of volunteers across the country run events and support teams.
Teams travel from every corner of Australia, and from overseas. For a small or regional school, getting there at all is the achievement.
“RoboCup Junior gives our students, from a small rural school outside Toowoomba, the chance to be included on the same level as their peers from big schools, and to learn coding and robotics they might not otherwise have access to.”
Tania S., Emu Creek State School
“[Attending RoboCup Junior National Championships in Canberra] has been a wonderful trip for six excited young girls from regional Queensland, some of whom had never been on a plane before. It will definitely not be our last.”
Teacher, Kalkie State School
“My students have had the privilege of regional, state and national success, including representing Australia overseas. Without RoboCup Junior, this would not have been possible for a small regional school like ours.”
Mr A, Lighthouse Christian School
“OnStage was my entry point into robotics and STEM, and I discovered I love STEM, especially as a girl who was afraid to do robotics. I have chosen mechatronics as my degree.”
Year 12 student (OnStage)
“I am definitely doing engineering for a career. Robotics has inspired me so much and I know this is what I want to do. I am just so grateful that I signed up to the school extracurricular three years ago.”
Year 12 student, Brisbane
“It is a great opportunity for rural students to compete against larger and private schools.”
Elizabeth, rural NSW school
“It is really good to be here to compete and see how good the other teams are, so I can learn from them and improve.”
Student, Vietnam
RoboCup Junior Australia stays accessible through two key supports: volunteers and sponsors. Financial or in-kind support helps keep participation affordable, improves event quality and strengthens the long-term sustainability of the program.
At the 2026 Queensland State Championships, Downer’s Thriving Communities Sponsorship Program offset participation costs for regional and interstate teams facing flights, long drives and overnight accommodation. Downer engineers also gave their time to judge students’ technical engineering posters.
“Our small school puts a lot of time, effort and resources into supporting our students and giving them these STEM opportunities. Receiving financial support like this helps massively in ensuring the continuing viability of our program and our ability to inspire our students to learn beyond the classroom.”
Matt H., Technologies Specialist Teacher, Bundaberg East State School
“The fee offset will make a real difference for us. Thank you again for helping create these opportunities for students to participate in RoboCup Junior.”
Liam M., Teacher, Redlynch State College
Our 2026 season in numbers, stories and photos, from classroom workshops to the National Championships in Canberra.
National and state partnership opportunities, the full list of inclusions for each level, and how to get started.
Australia needs young people who are confident with technology, comfortable solving complex problems and excited to contribute to the future. RoboCup Junior Australia gives students a place to start.
With your support, we can reach more students, support more teachers, strengthen more regional events and continue building a national robotics community that is open, accessible and ambitious.
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected].