2026–2027 Season Policy Update - Australia operations only
Supporting Student-Centered STEM Education through VEX Robotics Competitions
The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) in Australia continues its commitment to student-centered learning through VEX Robotics competitions. These competitions are designed to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and to prioritise learning, creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience.
Program Principles: Commitment to Student-Centered STEM Education
Our program is built on the belief that:
- Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed in STEM, regardless of their background or resources.
- Robotics competitions should prioritize learning over winning, fostering creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience.
- Schools and educators play a critical role in shaping the student experience and deserve our focused support.
- Community teams that align with these values can extend opportunities to students in unique or underserved contexts.
To protect these principles and ensure equity for school-based programs, we are maintaining the existing structural approach to team participation while clarifying team composition requirements for the 2026–2027 season.
Team Participation Requirements
Focus on School Teams
A school-based team is defined as a team representing an accredited full-time academic institution. This includes public schools, private schools, and charter schools. Organizational Policy
School Team Obligations
To participate in RECF-sanctioned activities, school teams must satisfy all of the following:
- Student Composition: All team members must be students currently enrolled at the registered school or organisation. This requirement applies to all students listed on the team registration.
- Construction and Programming: Team members must do all or most of the physical construction and programming of robots on the school’s campus or at school-sanctioned facilities (as defined under the Organizational Policy).
- Primary Coach: Each school-based team must designate a Primary Coach who is a current faculty member or employee of the registered school or organisation.
- Secondary Coach: If appointed, a Secondary Coach may include additional school faculty or staff, or an appointed representative approved by the school
- Role Boundaries: Appointed representatives may provide technical guidance, mentoring, and program support but must operate under the oversight of the school-appointed Primary Coach and in accordance with all student-centered participation and conduct requirements.
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School Recognition: At the discretion of the Region Support Manager, schools will be requested to provide a formal confirmation that:
- The team meets requirements 1 and 2.
- The school approves the secondary coach to support/supervise the team at external events.
Pathways for Community-Based Team Participation
RECF recognises that not all students have access to robotics through their school. To support equitable access, community-based teams will continue to be permitted where they meet the criteria listed below.
Eligible Community Team Types
To be eligible to apply for participation, community-based teams must be organized as one of the following:
- A Registered Training Organisation (RTO), which includes universities and TAFE institutions offering formal educational programs.
- A not-for-profit or registered charity with a demonstrated history of delivering student-centered educational programs, supported by a formal governance structure and board.
- A private team composed of students registered in home-schooling programs, formed in areas where school-based VEX Robotics programs are unavailable.
- A corporate-sponsored team that operates in partnership with a school or NFP and demonstrates no commercial intent.
Application & Approval Process
All prospective community teams must:
- Submit a formal application to the RECF Regional Manager (Australia/New Zealand).
- Provide documentation showing their organization’s type and educational mission.
- Explain their commitment to student-centered learning, accessibility, and inclusion.
- Provide details of why the student’s school will not support VEX teams.
- Undergo a review and approval process.
Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with decisions guided by the RECF’s mission and values.
For questions please contact: Australia@recf.org
For questions please contact australia@recf.org.