Welcome to Young ICT Explorers!
Registrations for 2025 are now open.
Young ICT Explorers (YICTE) is a non-profit competition founded by SAP and supported by The Smith Family, and industry and university partners across Australia. The competition encourages primary and high school students in Years 3–12 to solve real-world problems or express their creativity using technology.
From developing better recycling solutions to supporting people with disabilities, creating virtual reality worlds, or designing advanced robots and operating systems, students are encouraged to use their imagination and explore how technology can address challenges and improve lives.
A key focus of YICTE is ensuring equal opportunities for all students. Through the YICTE Accelerator program, delivered in partnership with The Smith Family (TSF), we provide dedicated funding to help disadvantaged youth participate and engage in the competition.
YICTE started as a face-to-face technology and innovation event, similar to a science fair but focused on digital solutions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program moved online, allowing teachers and students to stay involved. This change has made it possible for many students in regional and remote areas across Australia to take part. Our goal is to inspire students of all skill levels to use creativity and innovation to explore what today’s technology can do. By joining, students gain a better understanding of future study and career opportunities in technology while solving real-world problems.
Projects can be created during class or as extracurricular activities and align with the school Digital Technologies curriculum, making almost any technology-based project eligible for entry. Students can work individually or in teams of up to four, with collaboration encouraged. To date, nearly 10,000 students from approximately 900 schools across Australia and New Zealand have participated in YICTE.
To assist with planning, teachers and parents should submit an Expression of Interest by clicking here or on the ‘2025 Registrations Now Open’ button above and create User Account. Individual project submissions can be uploaded later.
Each submitted project must include a project report, even if the project is still in development. The report should outline what was created, why it was created, and the technologies used. Reports are reviewed by and Zoom judging times are scheduled for teams to present their projects to volunteer judges. Students unable to attend Zoom sessions can submit an 8-minute video explaining and showcasing their project for review.
The deadline for all project submissions is 31 July 2025. Visit the website for more details, including how the competition works and to download the information pack.
Projects are judged on four criteria:
- Creativity and Innovation
- Project Difficulty
- Quality and Completeness
- Presentation and Documentation
Judging panels include industry experts and university academics from the digital technology sector. Each team receives written feedback, participation certificates, and certificates for each recipient with a cash prize given to first, second, or third placeholders. Each year, approximately $30,000 in prizes is awarded to students across Australia.
Find a Young ICT Explorers event near you
Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia
Date/Location: Virtual Judging – August – October
