The journey that began in schools and state finals across Australia now reaches its pinnacle: the 2025 OSIC National Final, held at the Australian College of the Arts (Collarts) in Melbourne on November 29–30.

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Across two incredible days, the nation’s top young musicians will represent their states on the national stage, competing for trophies, prizes, and the coveted National Championship title.

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This ultimate showcase of student achievement will put talent, hard work, and dedication to the test. The 2025 OSIC National Final is an opportunity for the best of the best, with recognition at the highest level.

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EVENT DETAILS

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Venue: The Australian College of the Arts (Collarts), Wellington Street Campus (Collingwood, Melbourne VIC)

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SCHEDULE

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Saturday, November 29 - Drums (morning) & Guitar (afternoon)

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Sunday, November 30 - Piano (morning) & Strings (afternoon)

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*see schedule below for specific times

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Arrival: All students must arrive at least 30 minutes before their session. Multiple warm-up rooms will be available.

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Event Guide: A full guide including maps, parking, and public transport details will be emailed to registered students once registrations close.
 

QUALIFICATION

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The National Final is open to the top placing students from the 2025 OSIC State Finals

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​NSW: 1st and 2nd
 

QLD: 1st and 2nd

 

WA: 1st and 2nd

 

VIC/SA: 1st, 2nd and 3rd

 

WILD CARD: Selected by our judges from 3rd-place students across all states​
 

If spaces remain unclaimed, additional wild card spaces will be offered to 3rd-place students.

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REGISTRATION

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Deadline: Registration deadlines for the national final vary depending on your state. Please refer to your invitation to locate your specific registration deadline.
 

Cost: $100 (inc. GST) – same as State Finals
 

How to Register: Students must complete the official National Final Registration Form (available via the link above).
 

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

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Categories: Same age groups and instruments as State Finals
 

Time Limit: 4 minutes + 30 second grace period (no penalties or bonus marks within this time)
 

Repertoire: Students may repeat the same piece from their audition/state final, or select a new work if preferred

 

Judging Criteria: Same as State Finals, with panels announced in the Event Guide
 

ACCOMPANIMENT

 

All instruments: Live accompaniment is permitted for all students (please list details of your live accompaniment under 'stage requirements' during registration).

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Drums and guitar: Backing tracks permitted. Please submit your backing track here: submit backing track. Backing tracks must be submitted by Sunday November 16th.

 

Strings students: Caleb Salizzo will be the official piano accompanist for all strings categories. 

 

If you would like to be accompanied by Caleb on the day, please email your sheet music and any accompanist notes to caleb.salizzo@gmail.com no later than Friday, November 7th. Students wishing to arrange a rehearsal before the event should contact Caleb directly via email. For travelling students, rehearsals can be arranged on the day prior to the event (Saturday November 29th).

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On-the-day accompaniment is free of charge to all competitors. Rehearsals prior to the event are at the student’s own cost, and arranged directly with Caleb. 

 

Private accompaniment is also permitted.
 

PRIZES & AWARDS

 

Placings: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honourable Mention awarded in each age category
 

Prizes: Same prize values as State Finals, with exciting new additions exclusive to the National Final
 

Trophies: Special National Final trophies will be awarded to placing students
 

AUDIENCE TICKETS

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Cost: Same as State Finals
 

Access: Valid for the full day – ticket holders may attend all sessions on that day
 

Competing Students: Do not require an audience ticket
 

Booking: Strongly advised to pre-purchase tickets during registration. Any remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the venue on the day.

 

Additional audience tickets can be purchased here: book tickets
 

MEDIA & PROGRAMS

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Recording: The event will not be livestreamed, but a full competition recording will be published afterwards (for students who provide consent).
 

Photography: An official photographer will be present. Families may take photos and videos of their own student’s performance.
 

Programs: Provided free of charge on the day.

 

REHEARSAL SPACES FOR TRAVELLING STUDENTS

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Practice spaces will be available at Collarts 30 minutes prior to your event. Please note that, as Collarts is a busy university during the week, these rooms cannot be accessed in the days leading up to the event. If you’re planning to arrive early, there are several excellent rehearsal venues across Melbourne. Details for these spaces are as follows:

 

Piano/strings: Kidko Music School in Albert Park is home to a number of piano rooms which are available for public hire. Information, including a contact for bookings in this space, can be found on their website: https://www.kidko.com.au/studiohire​

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Drums: Three Phase Rehearsal Studios in Brunswick offers great spaces for drum rehearsals! Rooms are available on weekdays from 9am-6pm. For $30 per hour, students can book a private studio room with a 5-piece kit, kick, stool and cymbals all set up and ready to go. Information regarding this space can be found on their website: https://threephasemusic.com/rates/. To book a drum room, email rehearsals@threephasemusic.com

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Guitar: Three Phase Rehearsal Studios in Brunswick offers private studio rooms for $12 per hour on weekdays from 9am-6pm. Additional gear including amps are also available. Information regarding this space can be found on their website: https://threephasemusic.com/rates/. To book a room, email rehearsals@threephasemusic.com​

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PARENT INFORMATION

 

​Arrival: Students should arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled session and are encouraged to use the warm-up spaces provided.

 

Support: OSIC staff and professional support are available throughout the weekend – younger students will be well cared for even if their teacher is not present.
 

Food: A range of food options are available within short walking distance of the venue.
 

Travel & Accommodation: Families are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation.

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For additional information on travelling with an instrument, visit:

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https://www.austa.asn.au/instruments-on-airlines/

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GEAR

 

Piano: All performances will take place on the competition Kawai (baby grand) piano. Students are permitted to adjust the stool according to their requirements. A pedal extender will be provided for students upon request.

 

Strings: Stools, chairs and music stands are provided. Accompanists will have access to the competition Kawai (baby grand) piano. Tuning assistance will be available for all students.

 

Drums: Students will perform on the competition 5 piece acoustic kit. Hi-hat, 2x crash, splash, ride and china cymbals will be provided. A Pearl Demon Direct Drive double kick pedal will be available to all students. Permitted swaps to the kit include the use of your own kick pedal, snare and/or ride cymbal. Students can re-position the kit to any format prior to their performance.

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Over-ear Vic Firth monitor headphones will be provided. Students are permitted to use their own in-ear or over-ear (wired) headphones if preferred.

 

Guitar: Amps, mics, DIs and leads will be available for all students. Use of your own amp, pedals and/or pedal boards is welcomed.

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