The AEL hosts two online series each year and a number of in-person events for students to participate in Minecraft challenges.
Participants will be encouraged to collaborate, experiment, and think critically as they navigate the challenges presented to them within the game.
The online competition features three pools for years 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
As a note as part of the Minecraft Do’s and Dont’s we are required to state this is an independent event and is neither affiliated with, nor authorized, sponsored, or approved by, Mojang.
ENGAGE STUDENTS
The partnership aims to empower students to showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork abilities in this exciting Minecraft Education competition series promoting:
• Student Engagement
• Enhanced Learning Outcomes
• Talent Showcase
• Participation and Inclusivity
• Collaboration and Teamwork
Key Information
Format:
Open to students in teams of 2-4
The competition is spread over four stages:
- Designing & planning
- Building
- Presentations
- External judging
Game Info:
Where to get game: Minecraft Education Edition
Platform: PC, PS, XBOX, IOS, Android & Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Mojang
Handbook:
For more details please read the AEL High School Minecraft Competition Handbook.
Competition Handbook
Competition Themes:
- Years 4-6: Australia’s Dreaming
In 2025, students will explore and interpret a story from the Dreaming (or Dreamtime) in Minecraft: Education Edition. They are tasked with creating an authentic representation of the chosen story’s characters, setting, and significance. Each team must also use present their learning process, demonstrating cultural respect and a clear understanding of the story’s themes and importance.
- Years 7-9: Global Marvels
Students will embark on a journey to recreate through Minecraft: Education Edition a significant man-made monument from the wonders of the ancient world to modern marvels. In doing so they must highlight through their presentation the monument’s historical context, cultural importance, architectural details, engineering accomplishments and its lasting impact on human history.
- Years 10-12: Tomorrow’s Workforce
Students will explore potential future pathways by selecting a career field that inspires them—be it in STEM, the creative industries, healthcare, trades, entrepreneurship, or beyond. Using Minecraft: Education Edition, they will design a realistic or visionary environment that showcases the key tasks, tools, and challenges associated with their chosen profession.
In addition to building a detailed Minecraft scene that demonstrates the role’s practical or futuristic possibilities, students must present their research on the educational requirements, skill sets, and societal impact of the career. The presentation should illustrate their understanding of how technology, training, and personal interests align to open doors in that field, and how careers continue to evolve in our changing world.
Prizes
Competing students will be vying for awesome prizes in Series 1:
Each student in the 1st place team receives an AOC Monitor, HyperX Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset, and HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wired Mouse, plus certificates, medallions, and a trophy for your school.
There are also prizes for 2nd and 3rd place including terrific gaming gear, merit awards, medallions for placing in the top three and feature on a national leader board published by the AEL!
Registration
There is a Participation Fee of $25 +GST per student to complete registration with the recommended team size being between 2- 4 students.
There is no limit to the number of teams in competition, schools are encouraged to register multiple teams to foster strong internal competition.
Each team must make one submission with the AEL for the External Judging process.
Click this link: https://form.jotform.com/243330618935862 or the button below to register your students!
FAQ
Can home-schooled students compete?
To compete, Home Education students will be required to provide additional information to confirm their current education arrangements, such as providing documentation that shows that the parent/guardian is registered with their state government home education program, as well as age identifying documents for the student.
Home Education students will be marked separately to their in-school counterparts.
Home Education students may compete as a team of one or should you have multiple children at home wishing to form a team they must compete at the level of the oldest student. (ex. if you have a child in year 8 and a child in year 6 wishing to form a team they will need to adhere to the “years 7-9 theme”)
Please contact us at [email protected] for more information!
If students were judged to go to the next stage is there any location they may need to attend?
The competition is fully online at this point so no need to organize any school excursions.
Can my school run this as a lunchtime Minecraft club event?
It is up to the discretion of each teacher when they allow their students to work on their builds.
Extra Resources
Unlock more ways to teach and learn with Minecraft Education for your classroom.
Discover
Explore the basics of Minecraft Education and how a game can support learning. In the game, players can explore, gather resources, craft items, and build structures in a block-based virtual world.
Learn MoreGet Started
Learn how to download and use Minecraft Education in your home, school, or organization and how to to download a free trial, purchase licenses, and access trainings and tutorials.
Learn MoreResources
Learn to teach with Minecraft and join a global community. Explore how a game can support learning with 500+ lessons, immersive worlds, challenges, activities to engage your students, and curriculum.
Learn MoreUpdates
Calling all high schools! Registrations for Term 2 of the Australian Esports League’s High School Cup close Sunday, 5th May! Don’t miss the opportunity to get your students involved in…
Get ready to celebrate! The dust has settled on an absolutely thrilling AEL High School Term 1 for 2025, and what a season it was! We witnessed incredible displays of…
Welcome to the AEL Minecraft Challenge Series 1, an exciting hands-on program designed to complement classroom learning and boost students’ research, communication, and presentation skills. Registrations close on the 28th…
Empowering Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication Esports is taking the world by storm and schools are no exception. Competitive gaming has evolved into a dynamic platform that brings students together in…
For the first time ever, the winners of a Minecraft tournament took centre court on Rod Laver Arena during the final day of the 2025 Australian Open. After making their…
Imaginative Visions of the Future Shine in the 2024 Australian Open Schools and All In Block Buster Tennis Challenge. Students from across Australia have demonstrated extraordinary creativity and innovation in…
The AEL is proudly supported by
Contact us
Make sure to follow our network across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn!
Join the AEL discord and participate in our esports and gaming community!
The team at the Australian Esports League would love to hear from you
Whether you are wanting to run an esports event, are a teacher wanting more information of how to get your school involved or a parent wanting to learn more, we are here to help you in your Esports journey
For general enquiries, simply write to us at [email protected] and one of team will be in touch
For Primary, High School and Home-Schooling Esports, you can contact us at: [email protected]