This policy sets out how teams take part in VEX Robotics competitions through Global Robotics and Science Foundation in Australia during the 2026–2027 season. It keeps the existing participation structure in place while clarifying the team composition expectations for the season. The priority throughout remains student-centered learning: VEX Robotics competitions exist to build STEM skills alongside creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience, with learning valued ahead of winning. It is written for coaches, Event Partners, school administrators, and community team organisers in Australia.
Definitions of the terms used here are maintained in the central glossary.
Guiding Principles
This policy is grounded in a few core beliefs:
- STEM should be within reach of every student, whatever their background or access to resources.
- Competitions should reward learning first, building creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience rather than results alone.
- Schools and educators shape the student experience, and supporting them is a central focus.
- Community teams that share these values help reach students in underserved or non-traditional settings.
Requirements for School Teams
A school team is one that represents an accredited, full-time academic institution, including public, private, and charter schools. To take part in Global Robotics-sanctioned activities, a school team must meet the expectations below.
Team Composition
- Enrolment — Everyone listed on the team is a current student at the school or organisation named on the registration.
- Where work happens — The team does all or most of its building and programming on campus or at facilities the school sanctions.
Coaching and Supervision
- Primary Coach — A current faculty member or employee of the registered school or organisation serves as the team's Primary Coach.
- Secondary Coach — Where one is named, the Secondary Coach may be additional school faculty or staff, or a representative the school has approved.
- Approved representatives — An approved representative may mentor the team and provide technical and program support, but works under the Primary Coach's oversight and within all student-centered participation and conduct requirements.
School Confirmation
At the Program Support Manager's discretion, a school may be asked to confirm in writing that:
- the team meets the enrolment and work-location expectations above, and
- the school approves its Secondary Coach to support or supervise the team at external events.
Participation for Community-Based Teams
Not every student can reach robotics through a school, so Global Robotics continues to allow community-based teams that meet the criteria below, keeping access open where school programs are not an option.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible to apply, a community-based team must be organised as one of the following:
- Registered Training Organisation (RTO) — Universities, TAFE institutions, and similar bodies running formal education programs.
- Not-for-profit or registered charity — Organisations with a track record of student-centered education and a formal governance structure and board behind them.
- Private home-schooling team — Teams of registered home-school students, formed where no school-based VEX Robotics program is available locally.
- Corporate-sponsored team — Teams run in partnership with a school or not-for-profit, with no commercial intent.
How to Apply
A prospective community team must:
- Apply to the Program Support Manager (Australia/New Zealand).
- Supply documentation of the organisation's type and educational mission.
- Describe how the team supports student-centered learning, accessibility, and inclusion.
- Explain why the students' school will not support a VEX team.
- Complete the review and approval process.
Each application is considered individually, with decisions guided by the Global Robotics mission and values.