The Oz Schools Instrumental Championships (OSIC) is an annual series of state championships, leading to a national final event for the top instrumental students from across Australia. The competition celebrates the talents of piano, strings, drums and guitar students from prep to year 12.

Any student attending school in Australia is eligible for the event! Students can audition, receive a nomination or place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in an Australian eisteddfod (between August 2024 and August 2025) to qualify. Students who continue in the competition to place 1st or 2nd in an OSIC State Final qualify for the OSIC National Final.

OSIC 2025 qualifying is now open! Students have until their state's specific cut-off date to audition, receive a nomination, or claim an eisteddfod entry. 2025 OSIC State Finals will run across 10 weeks: Saturday August 23rd - Sunday August 24th: New South Wales (Sydney) Saturday August 30th - Sunday August 31st: Queensland (Brisbane) Saturday September 20th - Sunday September 21st: Western Australia (Perth) Saturday September 27th - Sunday September 28th: South Australia (Adelaide) Saturday October 18th - Sunday October 26th: Victoria (Melbourne) The 2025 OSIC National Final will take place on: Saturday November 29th - Sunday November 30th: National Final (Melbourne) For a detailed timeline of each state's event, including a competition schedule, click the 'schedule' tab on the OSIC website and follow the prompts.

OSIC 2025 has 4 instrument categories. Students who play more than one instrument are welcome to audition/compete in multiple categories. Categories are as follows: Piano (piano and keyboard) Strings (violin, viola, cello, erhu and double bass) Drums (drum kit and electric drum kit) Guitar (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar, bass guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, ruan and liuqin)

Yes! Over $50,000 worth of prizes and trophies will be awarded throughout the event. Prizes and trophies are given to placing students in each instrument and age category across all state and national finals.

Students can be selected for OSIC via 3 pathways: Audition (top ranking auditions scored by the OSIC judging panel) Nomination (accepted nominations as determined by the OSIC judging panel) Eisteddfod result (direct entry by obtaining an eligible eisteddfod result - selection from the OSIC judging panel not required)

Yes! Whilst we do not have an OSIC State Final event in each of these 3 states, TAS, ACT and NT students are permitted to audition for any state final in Australia! When submitting an audition or nomination, simply select the state championship you wish to compete in, and if successful you will be invited to compete in your selected state championship!

Yes! Any registered homeschool student in Australia can participate in OSIC.

Yes! We do not have a seperate category for pre-school students, however children who are not yet of school age can still participate in the youngest age category of OSIC - Primary Junior (Prep - Grade 2).

Students can be selected for OSIC via 3 pathways: Audition (top ranking auditions scored by the OSIC judging panel) Nomination (accepted nominations as determined by the OSIC judging panel) Eisteddfod result (direct entry by obtaining an eligible eisteddfod result - selection from the OSIC judging panel not required)

The OSIC judging panel selects students based on the following criteria: 1. Technical skill. (Proficiency in playing the instrument, including accuracy, control and technique). 2. Musicality. (Expression, phrasing and emotional connection to the music). 3. Interpretation. (Creativity and individuality in interpreting the piece). 4. Stage presence. (Confidence, posture and flow of the performance). 5. Tone and articulation. (Quality and consistency of the notes and passages).

Yes! Students can audition or be nominated for any or all instrument categories.

OSIC State Final selection numbers are as follows (applying to each individual age group and instrument category): New South Wales (Sydney) - Top 20 Queensland (Brisbane) - Top 20 Victoria (Melbourne) - Top 20 Western Australia (Perth) - Top 10 South Australia (Adelaide) - Top 10 The following students will qualify for the OSIC National Final: New South Wales (Sydney) - 1st and 2nd Queensland (Brisbane) - 1st and 2nd Victoria (Melbourne) - 1st and 2nd Western Australia (Perth) - 1st and 2nd South Australia (Adelaide) - 1st and 2nd Students who place 3rd in their OSIC State Final are eligible for a wildcard entry into the OSIC National Championship (where spaces are available).

2025 OSIC Finals will take place at the following venues: New South Wales (Sydney): University of New South Wales (Kensington Campus) Queensland (Brisbane): The State Library of Queensland (South Bank) Western Australia (Perth): Vision Studios (drums and guitar) & Crescendo Music (piano and strings) South Australia (Adelaide): Wizard Tone Studios Victoria (Melbourne): The Australian College of the Arts (Collarts) - Wellington Street Campus The 2025 OSIC National Final will take place at: National Final (Melbourne): The Australian College of the Arts (Collarts) - Wellington Street Campus

A full list of event times can be found by going to the 'schedule' page at www.osic.com.au and following the prompts.

Any piece within the 4 minute time limit can be performed in OSIC. Accompaniment and/or backing tracks are permitted where the competitor's part can still be heard. For questions about a specific piece, contact admin@osic.com.au

Exceeding the time limit in your audition video is no problem! However please note that you will only be assessed on the first 4 minutes of your piece. Exceeding the time limit in an OSIC State or National Final is also no problem but it does affect your score based on the following deductions: *OSIC scores are based out of a possible 100 points Time limit penalties: 0-30 seconds over: No penalty, however no points can be gained during the additional time (assessment is complete at 4:00 minutes) 30-60 seconds over: 10 point deduction 60-90 seconds over: 15 point deduction 90-120 seconds over: 20 point deduction 120-150 seconds over: 25 point deduction 150 seconds over: 50 point deduction

Limited tickets for each event will be available to the public on the day. Pre-sale audience tickets can be purchased by participants when they complete their online registration. A link for available tickets will be available at www.osic.com.au/tickets once registrations have closed.

Programs for each event will be available on the day.

Students who receive an invitation to a OSIC State or National Final can complete their entry by registering online at www.osic.com.au/register

Any student attending school in Australia (prep to year 12) can audition for the event.

Auditions must be submitted via the audition upload link on the OSIC website, or via email to admin@osic.com.au no later than: NSW: Sunday July 27th, 2025 QLD: Sunday August 3rd, 2025 WA: Sunday August 10th, 2025 SA: Sunday August 17th, 2025 VIC: Sunday September 7th, 2025

Auditioning for the OSIC is easy! Simply record your performance (on phone or tablet is best) and upload it to the OSIC website (www.osic.com.au) or email it to admin@osic.com.au. 4 minute time limit - any piece or repertoire is permitted! Showcase as much as you can in the allocated time!

Yes! Accompaniment / backing tracks are permitted in your audition video if the auditioning performer's part can still be heard.

No. You do not need to audition with the same piece that you intend to perform at the competition. You are however welcome to perform the same piece if preferred.

Yes! Past performance videos are welcomed.

There is no limit to how old an audition video can be, as long as the auditioning student is still currently enrolled at an Australian school.

Students can only audition in one state, but it does not need to be their home state. For students who are unable to attend their home final, an exemption can be made to compete in an alternate state. Students seeking an exemption should contact admin@osic.com.au

All questions can be directed to admin@osic.com.au