Australia · Years 1 to 6 · Checked at each organiser

Coding competitions for primary kids

Australian primary students can take part in more coding and computational thinking competitions than most parents expect, and several need no coding at all. Some are a single sitting at school; others run over a term as a team project or a robot build. This page brings them together by year level, with every detail checked at the organiser, and links to our fuller guide for each one. It also includes a short unplugged puzzle in the style these competitions use, which children can try at the kitchen table with four cards. We are independent of every organiser named here.

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Checked at each organiser on 7 October 2026 · Independent of all of them · Several need no coding

In short

Australian primary students can enter Bebras from Year 3, the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking competition and the free Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge from Year 5, and ICAS Digital Technologies from Year 2. Team options include RoboCup Junior, FIRST LEGO League from Year 1 and Young ICT Explorers from Year 3. Bebras and the CAT need no coding experience, according to the Australian Maths Trust.

Where to start

Three courses for young competitors

Thinking skills first, then code. Every competition on this page rewards both.

Problem Solving and Computational Thinking for Kids course thumbnail

CPK / 01

Computational thinking

Puzzles, patterns and logic, the exact ground Bebras and the CAT test.

Open the syllabus →
Scratch Coding for Kids course thumbnail

CPK / 02

Scratch for kids

Block coding that suits the Novice and Explorer coding challenge divisions.

Open the syllabus →
Python and AI for Kids course thumbnail

CPK / 03

Python and AI for kids

For upper primary students ready for text code and the Navigator division.

Open the syllabus →

By year level

Which competitions a primary student can enter

Year levels are as each organiser publishes them. Most entries go through a school; each linked guide explains how that competition works.

Coding, computational thinking and robotics competitions open to Australian primary students
CompetitionPrimary yearsTypeOur guide
FIRST LEGO League ExploreYears 1 to 4 (ages 6 to 10)Team model build, no matchesFIRST LEGO League
ICAS Digital TechnologiesYears 2 to 6 (and Year 7)Individual paper, 30 to 35 questionsICAS Digital Technologies
BebrasYears 3 to 6 (and secondary)Puzzles, alone or in teams of up to fourAMT competitions
Young ICT ExplorersYears 3-4 and 5-6 categoriesProject, alone or in teams of up to fourYoung ICT Explorers
GPN Junior (workshops)Years 3 to 6, SydneyFree coding program, not a contestGPN next steps
FIRST LEGO League ChallengeFrom Year 4 (age 9)Team robot season with 2:30 matchesFIRST LEGO League
Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT)Years 5 and 6 (and secondary)Individual paper, 60 minutesAMT competitions
Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding ChallengeYears 5 and 6 (and secondary)Free, 45 minutes, divisions by skillThis page, below
RoboCup Junior AustraliaPrimary divisions and entry levelsTeam robots: OnStage, Rescue, SoccerRoboCup Junior

For a month-by-month view of the same competitions, including the secondary ones, see our Australian competitions calendar. Entry fees, where they exist, are set by each organiser and are not shown on this page.

The three AMT contests

Bebras, the CAT and the coding challenge in detail

The Australian Maths Trust runs three of the most accessible options for primary students. The details below come from its 2026 pages.

Australian Maths Trust computing competitions for primary students, 2026
BebrasCATRaspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge
Primary eligibilityMiddle Primary (Years 3 and 4), Upper Primary (Years 5 and 6)Upper Primary (Years 5 and 6)From Year 5
Time60 minutes for Middle Primary, 45 for others60 minutes45 minutes
Questions15, mixing multiple choice, integer and interactiveThree-stage tasks on test data of growing size10 tasks in two sections
Coding needed?NoNoYes, in blocks or text, by chosen division
2026 datesMonday 9 February to Sunday 8 March19 to 21 May16 to 18 June
Also worth knowingTeams of up to four allowedFree CAT Coding long-form challengeFree to enter

Bebras is an international computational thinking challenge; the AMT says it involves over 2.9 million students from 60 countries. Bebras Australia began in 2014, was delivered by CSIRO until 2023, and has been run by the AMT since 2024. A follow-up event is held in Term 4 for international Bebras week.

The CAT, according to the AMT, uses unique three-stage tasks that encourage students to develop informal algorithms and apply them to test data of increasing size or complexity. It needs no programming experience and suits any maths class.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge was previously delivered as the Coding Challenge and the Oxford University Computing Challenge. Its four divisions are chosen by skill, not age: Novice and Explorer for block-based programmers, Navigator and Trailblazer for text-based programmers.

In the coding challenge, questions 1 to 7 are worth 4 marks each and questions 8 to 10 worth 8 marks each. The AMT points to the UK Bebras website for practice challenges.

Sources: AMT Bebras; AMT CAT; AMT Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge; AMT 2026 key dates. Read 7 October 2026. Entry prices printed there are not shown.

Puzzle to try

A sorting network with four cards

Computational thinking competitions love puzzles about putting things in order with simple, fixed steps. This one is ours, and needs only four numbered cards and a pencil.

The rule

Lay four cards face up in positions 1 to 4. A "comparator" looks at two positions and swaps the cards if the left one is bigger. Nothing else is allowed.

The network

Compare positions 1 and 2, and 3 and 4. Then 1 and 3, and 2 and 4. Finally 2 and 3. That is five comparators in a fixed order, whatever the cards are.

The challenge

Shuffle the cards and run the five comparators. Do they always end up in order? Try several shuffles, then try to explain why it works.

One run of the network, starting from the cards 7, 3, 9, 1
StepCompare positionsCards after the step
Start7, 3, 9, 1
11 and 2 (7 is bigger, swap)3, 7, 9, 1
23 and 4 (9 is bigger, swap)3, 7, 1, 9
31 and 3 (3 is bigger, swap)1, 7, 3, 9
42 and 4 (7 is smaller, no swap)1, 7, 3, 9
52 and 3 (7 is bigger, swap)1, 3, 7, 9

We checked all 24 possible orders of four different cards: this five-step network sorts every one of them. Leave out the last comparator, though, and 16 of the 24 orders finish with the middle two cards the wrong way round, which shows exactly why that step is there. Steps 1 and 2 never touch the same cards, so two children could do them at the same moment, and the same is true of steps 3 and 4. The whole network therefore runs in three rounds of work, where checking every pair one after another, as a simple bubble sort does, takes six comparisons in a row. Doing work at the same time like this is called parallel processing.

Making it a game

Draw four lines on paper, one for each position, and join pairs with short bridges for the comparators. Children walk cards along the lines, swapping at each bridge if needed. With several children as cards, it works in a playground too.

For a harder challenge, ask whether any network with only four comparators can sort four cards every time. Exploring that question is real computer science.

Where it leads

The same thinking underlies how computers sort data with many processors at once. It also prepares children for competition questions that ask them to follow fixed rules exactly, a skill Bebras and the CAT both test.

Once the card version is easy, children can build the network in Scratch: four variables, five "if bigger then swap" blocks, and a check that the result is sorted.

Choosing one

Picking a first competition, and preparing well

The right first competition depends on what a child enjoys and how they like to work. A short, low-pressure one is usually a better start than an ambitious one.

A starting guide for primary students
If your child likesYears 1 and 2Years 3 and 4Years 5 and 6
Puzzles and logicUnplugged puzzles at homeBebrasBebras, the CAT
Building with LEGOFIRST LEGO League ExploreFIRST LEGO League ExploreFIRST LEGO League Challenge, RoboCup Junior
Making apps or gamesScratch projects for funYoung ICT Explorers (Years 3-4)Young ICT Explorers (Years 5-6), the coding challenge
Using computers wellEveryday software skillsICAS Digital TechnologiesICAS Digital Technologies

Our classes teach the thinking these competitions reward: reading instructions carefully, spotting patterns, tracing steps, and building small working programs in Scratch and later Python. Practice uses our own puzzles, never copied competition papers.

For team events, we teach children to program and debug; the team's robot or project stays the team's own work.

We are independent of every organiser on this page and do not enter students, run competitions or handle results. Most entries go through schools, and each organiser explains how families can take part.

We do not promise a score, a certificate level or a place. For a primary child, the main value of a first competition is the experience of thinking hard and enjoying it.

Growing as a young coder

Four rungs through primary school

Children move at their own pace; this is the usual order.

From following steps to designing algorithms
AroundRungThe sign it is secure
Years 1 and 21. Follows exact stepsCarries out a short sequence of instructions without skipping
Years 3 and 42. Spots patternsPredicts what comes next in a sequence or puzzle
Years 4 and 53. Builds working programsMakes a Scratch project that does what was planned
Years 5 and 64. Designs algorithmsWrites a step-by-step method and tests it on new cases

After a first competition

Ask which question was most fun and which was most confusing. Both answers point to what to explore next.

Keep the focus on enjoyment and effort. A primary child's first result says little about later ability.

Maths competitions too

For maths contests at primary level, see our guide to maths competitions for primary kids.

For online coding lessons, see coding classes for kids in Australia.

The catalogue

Nine courses for primary coders

From unplugged thinking to first text code. Each card opens a full syllabus.

I

Thinking

Bebras and the CAT
II

Blocks

Novice and Explorer coders

CPK / BL / 03

Game development for kids

Scratch, Roblox and Minecraft.

Open the syllabus
III

First text code

Upper primary

CPK / TX / 01

Python and AI for kids

A gentle first text language.

Open the syllabus

CPK / TX / 03

Office skills for kids

Everyday software, used well.

Open the syllabus

How lessons run

Short, lively online classes after school

Lessons are taught live by teachers in India. Australia is ahead of India on the clock: Adelaide by four hours in winter and five in summer, Brisbane by four and a half all year. A class after an Australian school day falls in the Indian afternoon, so younger children can learn at a sensible hour.

After school

Puzzles and Scratch for younger children.

Saturday morning

A longer build or a puzzle set.

Before a competition

Practice with our own puzzles in the competition style.

Play first

Young children learn best through puzzles and making things.

Our own puzzles

Competition-style practice written by us, never copied.

Classes

Fifteen to twenty children at a similar level.

One-to-one option

For a child who needs a different pace.

Team-friendly

We teach the coding; teams keep their own projects.

No result promised

Organisers set and mark every competition.

Student work

Projects our students have made

Made because they wanted to, not for a contest. More in the student labs.

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Misti

A chatbot that answers mathematics and programming questions, built and deployed by a student.

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GuardianX

An assistant that helps a young person recognise unsafe situations online.

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A weather forecasting site with live conditions for any location.

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Fees

Fees

Classes are billed per month in US dollars, our rate for families outside India. There is no sign-up charge and no fixed term. Competition entries, where they cost anything, are paid to the organisers, usually through schools.

Free first class

USD 0

no card required

  • A first class at no charge
  • A short puzzle and coding check
  • No card details
Book it

Group batch

USD 100

a month, billed in US dollars

  • Fifteen to twenty children at one level
  • The same teacher each week
  • Puzzles and projects shared
  • A certificate at the end
Start here

One to one

USD 150

a month, billed in US dollars

  • A teacher for one child
  • A plan matched to the child's pace
  • Times that suit the family
Enquire

What families say

Rated 4.9 across 547 Google reviews

From our Google listing, unedited.

★★★★★

"The one step solution for my son. Modern Age Coders make learning coding so simple that kids love it. The teachers explain complex concepts clearly with practical exercises and interactive content."

Ria Mukherjee

Parent

★★★★★

"Modern Age Coders has been a game-changer for me. I struggled to grasp IT concepts and coding before joining, but their classes transformed everything. I can now confidently write complex programs with ease."

Samriddha Mondal

Student

★★★★★

"One of the most wonderful education centres out there. Education is not limited to school syllabus but focuses on skill development."

Vansh Agarwal

Student

★★★★★

"My child Dhairya is really enjoying the Modern Age Coders classes. This is his first online class and he eagerly looks forward to it. I can already see his improvement, and the teachers are very cooperative."

Sonam Oswal

Parent of Dhairya

★★★★★

"Modern Age Coders have wonderful teachers who teach in a clear, easy and practical way. The teacher boosts students' confidence and inspires them to learn without hesitation."

Sonu Goyal

Parent

★★★★★

"I highly recommend this computer coding class! The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about coding."

Ritu Kedia

Parent

Questions about primary coding competitions

What parents and teachers ask

Is there a coding competition for primary students in Australia?

Yes, several. Bebras from Year 3, the CAT and the Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge from Year 5, ICAS Digital Technologies from Year 2, plus team events such as RoboCup Junior, FIRST LEGO League and Young ICT Explorers.

Which competitions need no coding?

Bebras and the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking competition need no coding experience, according to the Australian Maths Trust. ICAS Digital Technologies includes some programming questions but is mostly about digital skills.

Is any primary coding competition free?

The Raspberry Pi Foundation Coding Challenge, run in Australia through the AMT, is free. GPN Junior workshops in Sydney are free too, though they are a program rather than a competition.

What is a sorting network?

A fixed set of compare-and-swap steps that puts any list of a given length in order. Four items can be sorted by five comparators done in three rounds.

What is Bebras?

An international computational thinking challenge delivered in Australia by the Australian Maths Trust. In 2026 it ran from 9 February to 8 March, with 60 minutes for Years 3 and 4 and 45 minutes for older divisions.

What are the coding challenge divisions?

Novice and Explorer for block-based programmers, Navigator and Trailblazer for text-based programmers. Students choose by skill, not age.

Can Year 1 or 2 children take part in anything?

FIRST LEGO League Explore is for ages 6 to 10 (Years 1 to 4), and ICAS Digital Technologies starts with an Introductory paper for Year 2.

How do children enter?

Usually through their school. Each organiser explains its own entry process, and some team events can be entered through community groups.

Do you prepare children for these competitions?

We teach the thinking and coding skills they reward, with our own practice puzzles. We are independent of every organiser and do not promise any result.

What happens in the free class?

Your child tries a short puzzle and a small Scratch task with a teacher, and you get honest advice on which competition might suit them.

Related pages

More for primary families

Competitions, coding and maths for younger students.

Maths competitions for primary kids

The maths side of the same picture.

Competitions calendar

Every contest by month.

ICAS Digital Technologies

Papers for Years 2 to 7.

Bebras practice

Original puzzles in the Bebras style.

AIO preparation

For older students who want real programming contests.

Coding for 7 and 8 year olds

What lessons look like at that age.

Coding classes for kids

Live online classes explained.

Coding classes in Australia

The national guide.

Start here

Book a free class for your child

Tell us your child's year level and what they enjoy. The free class tries one competition-style puzzle and one small coding task, then suggests a good first competition.

Curious about the courses first? Each syllabus is listed on the course atlas, and how we teach shows a typical class.

WhatsApp us · +91 91233 66161 · connect@modernagecoders.com

We usually reply fastest on WhatsApp. It is an Indian number because our school operates from India; there is no Australian branch.

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A priority demo is a full class of about 45 to 60 minutes. After the class the mentor sends a written skill report and a personal learning roadmap on WhatsApp. If you enrol, the demo fee is adjusted against your first month's fee. Share your demo Order ID with us on WhatsApp and we take it off.

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