Back to Exam Calendar
Computer Science / AIO
Australian Informatics Olympiad 2026 Dates, Format and Preparation Guide
The Australian Informatics Olympiad is suited to students with real programming fluency who are ready for algorithmic problem solving in code.
What is this exam?
Australian Informatics Olympiad
The Australian Informatics Olympiad is suited to students with real programming fluency who are ready for algorithmic problem solving in code.
Use this page to turn exam information into a clear preparation decision for your child.
Exam date
27 August 2026
Registration
Entries close 21 August 2026.
Year levels
Years 7-12
Official institute
Australian Maths Trust
Key date timeline
Now
Read the official guide
Check whether the exam is appropriate for the student.
Next
Download the free sheet
Use it as a parent-friendly preparation checklist.
Then
Choose one preparation focus
Foundation, advanced question types or mock exam readiness.
Content map
What do students need to know for the Australian Informatics Olympiad?
Core focus
Programming in Python, Java, C or C++.Algorithms, cases, constraints and efficiency.Olympiad-style coding under time pressure.
Preparation focus
Be fluent in one programming language before entering.Practise reading constraints and designing algorithms first.Review failed submissions by logic error, implementation error and edge case.
Format and focus
Which questions carry the marks in the AIO?
Focus 1
Programming in Python, Java, C or C++.
Computer Science
Focus 2
Algorithms, cases, constraints and efficiency.
Computer Science
Focus 3
Olympiad-style coding under time pressure.
Computer Science
AceAchievers preparation pathway
How should students prepare for the Australian Informatics Olympiad?
Preparation runs in three stages: build a solid foundation, then learn by topic and question type, then mock exam and targeted practice.
Build a solid foundation
Make sure the core school skills behind this competition are stable before moving into harder questions.
Learn by topic and question type
Practise the topic patterns and question types that appear most often in this competition.
Mock exam and targeted practice
Use timed mocks to find weak areas, then practise those exact topics deliberately.
Who should enter?
AIO suits students who already have programming experience, can write code in Python 3, C, C++ or Java, enjoy algorithmic puzzles, and are comfortable debugging under time pressure.
It is not ideal as a first coding experience. Students should already understand variables, loops, conditionals, arrays or lists, functions and basic input/output.
AIO vs CAT
The Computational and Algorithmic Thinking competition can be attempted without programming experience. AIO is different: students need to code. If the student is new to algorithms, CAT or coding foundations may come first. If the student already codes, AIO is the more serious challenge.
Internal resources
Questions parents ask
FAQ
When is AIO in 2026?
AIO is scheduled for Thursday 27 August 2026.
When do AIO entries close?
Entries close on Friday 21 August 2026.
What languages are allowed?
C, C++, Java and Python 3.
Does AIO require coding experience?
Yes. Students must submit source code.
Is AIO the same as CAT?
No. CAT focuses on computational thinking without requiring coding; AIO is a programming competition.
Sitting it this year? AIO last-week checklist — what to practise in the final days and how to split your time in the paper.
Where to go next
The full AIO path, from no Python at all through to every past-paper pattern.
Foundation
AIO Python Foundation
Lessons
20 lessons
Learning time
20–30 hrs
Difficulty
Year group
Y7–10
Best for
- Complete beginners to programming
- Want real competition Python, not toy snippets
By the end: Able to write and run real competition Python, and read what a problem is asking.
A$199 one-time
Try 3 lessons freeFull curriculum & details →Core
AIO Algorithms
Lessons
30 lessons
Learning time
35–50 hrs
Difficulty
Year group
Y7–12
Best for
- Can already code, stuck on Q2–Q3
- Needs the standard techniques
By the end: Able to recognise which algorithm a problem wants — and code it correctly.
A$399 one-time
Try 3 lessons freeFull curriculum & details →Advanced
AIO Advanced
Lessons
24 past-paper lessons
Learning time
40–55 hrs
Difficulty
Year group
Y9–12
Best for
- Targeting the top of the AIO
- Wants every past-paper pattern drilled
By the end: Steadily scoring Q1–Q4 in the real exam, with every question type drilled.
A$499 one-time
Try 3 lessons freeFull curriculum & details →Not sure which level fits? The free 20-minute diagnostic pinpoints the exact gaps and tells you which course to start with. No sign-up needed.