The Australian Mathematics Trust is a non-profit organisation under the Trusteeship of the University of Canberra. It conducts a number of mathematics enrichment activities, all via schools. Most schools take part in some of these activities, and if you are a parent and wish your child to be involved, the best person to see is the maths teacher or head of mathematics at your school. Also, questions about student results should be directed to your school.

The object of this page is to inform parents about the various events associated with the Trust, which ones are generally available, the benefits and how to enter.

The Trust administers activities in Mathematics, Science and Informatics as described below.

For invitational events, invitations are issued by either state directors or the national director of training in the case of mathematics, or by the national director of training in the case of informatics.

In order to be considered for an invitation in mathematics, it is necessary to have records of outstanding results in the

• Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) and the
• Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO) (see below).

Note that in order to receive an invitation for the Mathematics Olympiad Program it is highly desirable that a student has recorded a number of consistent results in both the AMC and the Challenge and Enrichment Programs leading to AIMO over a number of the lower secondary years. In order to be selected in the Australian IMO team it is normal for a student to have passed through more than one cycle of programs, so commencement in the above activities at least though years 8 to 10 is recommended. The AMC and Challenge are available in upper primary and participation at this level is definitely helpful.

To be considered for an invitation in informatics it is required to have an adequate result in the Australian Informatics Olympiad (AIO).

The major events open to the public have links provided below. Whereas the events are described in more detail in the linked pages it could be stated that the major advantage in formal entry and participation in all three of the major, large activities, i.e.

• Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC),
• Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians. ,
  • Challenge Stage
  • Enrichment Stage
  • Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad (AIMO).

is that all students receive formal recognition of their work by an appropriate certificate from the Trust, all activities are conducted Australia wide, and all are activities carefully written and moderated by experienced teachers and academics working as volunteers.

The Trust regards the certification process as a vital outcome. Those students who participate and submit assessment in events such as the Challenge and Enrichment programs will receive a certificate issued by the Trust, reflecting the wider level of achievement reached by the student. This certification, which is nationally recognised and understood, will prove invaluable in student folios and enhancing student academic profiles, and is the only certificate a student can present to prove their involvement and level of achievement in these events.

As a non-profit organisation the Trust keeps fees to a minimum, but further, the Challenge activities receive external support, including the support of the Australian Government, via DIISR, and so these entry fees are in effect subsidised. Those who participate in the Enrichment Stage receive the text book, which otherwise would cost more than the whole entry fee for participating in the program. These books contain valuable enrichment mathematics which students can keep as reference in their later study.

The AIMO, open to students up to Year 10, is the highest open event and the best way of identifying students to be invited to take part in activities of the Australian Mathematics Olympiad Program . Students who wish to be identified for this program are strongly advised to ensure that they write the AIMO before they have completed Year 10. To write the AIMO there is no formal prerequisite, but participation in the Noether Enrichment Program is most advised. In fact participation in any of the Challenge or Enrichment Programs in earlier years will clearly be of advantage.

Generally, about 100 students, up to Year 12 level, nationwide, are selected by AMOC State Directors, particularly on the basis of AIMO results, but also Australian Mathematics Competition results, to write the AMOC Senior Contest (held in August) and/or the Australian Mathematical Olympiad (held in February). Of these the top 25 approximately will be invited to attend training camps, where advanced instruction is given and teams are selected to represent Australia in the International Mathematics Olympiad.

Students and parents who wish to discuss eligibilty for participation in these events are welcome to contact their State Directors, whose names are to be found at the AMOC web site. If necessary, contact details for AMOC State Directors can be obtained from the Trust's office at (02) 6201 5136.

Open Events

Invitational Events