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Engage your workforce in meaningful volunteering experiences that inspire the next generation of innovators.

Employee Engagement Opportunities

Connect your workforce with FIRST Australia in 2026

FIRST Australia provides meaningful employee engagement opportunities that connect professionals with the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers and leaders. Throughout the year, industry partners can volunteer at regional competitions and national championships across Australia. Whether your employees are engineers, educators, business professionals or simply passionate about making a difference, there is a place for them to get involved. No robotics experience is required, just a willingness to inspire, encourage and support young people.

FIRST LEGO League National Championship (Sydney)

The FIRST LEGO League National Championship Sydney brings together leading teams from across New South Wales that have advanced through local qualifying competitions held across the state. As one of four National Championships held across Australia, the event gives teams the opportunity to showcase their robot designs, innovative solutions and teamwork, while competing for advancement to the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas, and other international competitions.

Saturday 12 December, 2026

1 Central Courtyard (1CC) Macquarie University, Macquarie Park NSW 2113 

42 teams; 420 students; 100 Educators

9:00am - 5pm (Times will vary depending on day) 

Season theme will be BIOCORE

70 - 80 Volunteers will be in attendance 

Judges play a central role in celebrating and recognising team accomplishments by interviewing and observing teams, evaluating them against official award criteria, and participating in collaborative deliberations to determine award recipients. Working in panels, Judges serve as role models and mentors, providing constructive feedback while upholding the values of fairness, equity, and the FIRST Core Values. Judges engage with teams in a variety of settings—judging rooms, pits, and fields—and help write award scripts and assist with award presentations. This role is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with youth, value teamwork, and bring strong communication, critical thinking, and assessment skills. 

  • Volunteers Required: 5 - 24 

  • Recommended Minimum Age: 18 years old 

  • Commitment: One full event day, including a morning briefing, team judging sessions, deliberations and the awards ceremony.

  • Experience: No FIRST or related field experience required

  • Training: Pre-event training will be provided

​

  • Key skills: Communication, active listening, curiosity, teamwork, fairness and confidence engaging with young people.

  • ​What is provided: Meals, refreshments, volunteer shirt, parking information and event materials, where applicable.

  • Registration deadline: Friday 20 October, 2026

Role Details / Responsibilities:

​

  • Interview and observe teams in judging rooms, pits, and/or on the field 

  • Evaluate teams using program-specific guidelines and award criteria 

  • Participate in award deliberations and selection 

  • Write award scripts and assist with ceremonies 

  • Serve as a role model and provide encouragement  

  • Maintain confidentiality and follow FIRST standards for bias-free judging 

  • Sign and comply with Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement if applicable 

  • Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook

  • Reports to: Judge Advisor

FIRST LEGO League National Championship (Melbourne)

The FIRST LEGO League National Championship Melbourne brings together leading teams from across Victoria that have advanced through local qualifying competitions held across the state. As one of four National Championships held across Australia, the event gives teams the opportunity to showcase their robot designs, innovative solutions and teamwork, while competing for advancement to the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas, and other international competitions.

Sunday 6 December, 2026

Monash University Campus, Victoria 

42 teams; 420 students; 100 Educators

9:00am - 5pm (Times will vary depending on day) 

Season theme will be BIOCORE

70 - 80 Volunteers will be in attendance

Judges play a central role in celebrating and recognising team accomplishments by interviewing and observing teams, evaluating them against official award criteria, and participating in collaborative deliberations to determine award recipients. Working in panels, Judges serve as role models and mentors, providing constructive feedback while upholding the values of fairness, equity, and the FIRST Core Values. Judges engage with teams in a variety of settings—judging rooms, pits, and fields—and help write award scripts and assist with award presentations. This role is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with youth, value teamwork, and bring strong communication, critical thinking, and assessment skills. 

  • Volunteers Required: 5 - 24 

  • Recommended Minimum Age: 18 years old 

  • Commitment: One full event day, including a morning briefing, team judging sessions, deliberations and the awards ceremony.

  • Experience: No FIRST or related field experience required

  • Training: Pre-event training will be provided

​

  • Key skills: Communication, active listening, curiosity, teamwork, fairness and confidence engaging with young people.

  • ​What is provided: Meals, refreshments, volunteer shirt, parking information and event materials, where applicable.

  • Registration deadline: Friday 20 October, 2026

Role Details / Responsibilities:

​

  • Interview and observe teams in judging rooms, pits, and/or on the field 

  • Evaluate teams using program-specific guidelines and award criteria 

  • Participate in award deliberations and selection 

  • Write award scripts and assist with ceremonies 

  • Serve as a role model and provide encouragement  

  • Maintain confidentiality and follow FIRST standards for bias-free judging 

  • Sign and comply with Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement if applicable 

  • Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook

  • Reports to: Judge Advisor

FIRST LEGO League National Championship (Perth)

The FIRST LEGO League National Championship Perth brings together leading teams from across Western Australia that have advanced through local qualifying competitions held across the state. As one of four National Championships held across Australia, the event gives teams the opportunity to showcase their robot designs, innovative solutions and teamwork, while competing for advancement to the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas, and other international competitions.

Saturday 12 December, 2026

Curtin University, Western Australia

42 teams; 420 students; 100 Educators

9:00am - 5pm (Times will vary depending on day) 

Season theme will be BIOCORE

70 - 80 Volunteers will be in attendance

Judges play a central role in celebrating and recognising team accomplishments by interviewing and observing teams, evaluating them against official award criteria, and participating in collaborative deliberations to determine award recipients. Working in panels, Judges serve as role models and mentors, providing constructive feedback while upholding the values of fairness, equity, and the FIRST Core Values. Judges engage with teams in a variety of settings—judging rooms, pits, and fields—and help write award scripts and assist with award presentations. This role is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with youth, value teamwork, and bring strong communication, critical thinking, and assessment skills. 

  • Volunteers Required: 5 - 24 

  • Recommended Minimum Age: 18 years old 

  • Commitment: One full event day, including a morning briefing, team judging sessions, deliberations and the awards ceremony.

  • Experience: No FIRST or related field experience required

  • Training: Pre-event training will be provided

​

  • Key skills: Communication, active listening, curiosity, teamwork, fairness and confidence engaging with young people.

  • ​What is provided: Meals, refreshments, volunteer shirt, parking information and event materials, where applicable.

  • Registration deadline: Friday 20 October, 2026

Role Details / Responsibilities:

​

  • Interview and observe teams in judging rooms, pits, and/or on the field 

  • Evaluate teams using program-specific guidelines and award criteria 

  • Participate in award deliberations and selection 

  • Write award scripts and assist with ceremonies 

  • Serve as a role model and provide encouragement  

  • Maintain confidentiality and follow FIRST standards for bias-free judging 

  • Sign and comply with Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement if applicable 

  • Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook

  • Reports to: Judge Advisor

FIRST LEGO League National Championship (Brisbane)

The FIRST LEGO League National Championship Brisbane brings together leading teams from across Queensland that have advanced through local qualifying competitions held across the state. As one of four National Championships held across Australia, the event gives teams the opportunity to showcase their robot designs, innovative solutions and teamwork, while competing for advancement to the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas, and other international competitions.

Sunday 13 December, 2026

TBC

42 teams; 420 students; 100 Educators

9:00am - 5pm (Times will vary depending on day) 

Season theme will be BIOCORE

70 - 80 Volunteers will be in attendance 

Judges play a central role in celebrating and recognising team accomplishments by interviewing and observing teams, evaluating them against official award criteria, and participating in collaborative deliberations to determine award recipients. Working in panels, Judges serve as role models and mentors, providing constructive feedback while upholding the values of fairness, equity, and the FIRST Core Values. Judges engage with teams in a variety of settings—judging rooms, pits, and fields—and help write award scripts and assist with award presentations. This role is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with youth, value teamwork, and bring strong communication, critical thinking, and assessment skills. 

  • Volunteers Required: 5 - 24 

  • Recommended Minimum Age: 18 years old 

  • Commitment: One full event day, including a morning briefing, team judging sessions, deliberations and the awards ceremony.

  • Experience: No FIRST or related field experience required

  • Training: Pre-event training will be provided

​

  • Key skills: Communication, active listening, curiosity, teamwork, fairness and confidence engaging with young people.

  • ​What is provided: Meals, refreshments, volunteer shirt, parking information and event materials, where applicable.

  • Registration deadline: Friday 20 October, 2026

Role Details / Responsibilities:

​

  • Interview and observe teams in judging rooms, pits, and/or on the field 

  • Evaluate teams using program-specific guidelines and award criteria 

  • Participate in award deliberations and selection 

  • Write award scripts and assist with ceremonies 

  • Serve as a role model and provide encouragement  

  • Maintain confidentiality and follow FIRST standards for bias-free judging 

  • Sign and comply with Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement if applicable 

  • Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook

  • Reports to: Judge Advisor

FIRST Tech Challenge National Championship (Sydney)

The FIRST Tech Challenge National Championship brings together leading teams from across Australia for the culmination of the national FTC season. Teams compete in high-energy robot matches, demonstrate their engineering and design process, and showcase their innovation, teamwork and problem-solving to judges. The event provides teams with the opportunity to compete for national honours and advancement to the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas, and other international competitions.

Saturday 5 - Sunday 6 December, 2026

1 Central Courtyard (1CC) Macquarie University, Macquarie Park NSW 2113 

42 teams; 550 students; 100 Educators

9:00am - 5pm (Times will vary depending on day) 

Season theme will be BIOBUZZ

70 - 80 Volunteers will be in attendace

Judges play a central role in celebrating and recognising team accomplishments by interviewing and observing teams, evaluating them against official award criteria, and participating in collaborative deliberations to determine award recipients. Working in panels, Judges serve as role models and mentors, providing constructive feedback while upholding the values of fairness, equity, and the FIRST Core Values. Judges engage with teams in a variety of settings—judging rooms, pits, and fields—and help write award scripts and assist with award presentations. This role is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with youth, value teamwork, and bring strong communication, critical thinking, and assessment skills. 

  • Volunteers Required: 5 - 24 

  • Recommended Minimum Age: 18 years old 

  • Commitment: One full event day, including a morning briefing, team judging sessions, deliberations and the awards ceremony.

  • Experience: No FIRST or related field experience required

  • Training: Pre-event training will be provided

​

  • Key skills: Communication, active listening, curiosity, teamwork, fairness and confidence engaging with young people.

  • ​What is provided: Meals, refreshments, volunteer shirt, parking information and event materials, where applicable.

  • Registration deadline: Friday 20 October, 2026

Role Details / Responsibilities:

​

  • Interview and observe teams in judging rooms, pits, and/or on the field 

  • Evaluate teams using program-specific guidelines and award criteria 

  • Participate in award deliberations and selection 

  • Write award scripts and assist with ceremonies 

  • Serve as a role model and provide encouragement  

  • Maintain confidentiality and follow FIRST standards for bias-free judging 

  • Sign and comply with Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement if applicable 

  • Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook

  • Reports to: Judge Advisor

FIRST Robotics Competition Southern Cross Regional 2027 (Sydney)

The FIRST Robotics Competition Southern Cross Regional brings together leading high school robotics teams from across Australia and overseas for one of the country’s premier robotics events. Teams compete in fast-paced alliance matches, showcase the robots they have designed, built and programmed, and demonstrate their engineering, teamwork and problem-solving to judges. The event provides teams with the opportunity to compete for regional honours and advancement to the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas.

March 2027

TBC

45 teams; 700 students; 200 Educators

9:00am - 5pm (Times will vary depending on day) 

Season theme will be BIOCORE

80 - 90 Volunteers will be in attendance 

Judges play a central role in celebrating and recognising team accomplishments by interviewing and observing teams, evaluating them against official award criteria, and participating in collaborative deliberations to determine award recipients. Working in panels, Judges serve as role models and mentors, providing constructive feedback while upholding the values of fairness, equity, and the FIRST Core Values. Judges engage with teams in a variety of settings—judging rooms, pits, and fields—and help write award scripts and assist with award presentations. This role is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with youth, value teamwork, and bring strong communication, critical thinking, and assessment skills. 

  • Volunteers Required: 5 - 24 

  • Recommended Minimum Age: 18 years old 

  • Commitment: One full event day, including a morning briefing, team judging sessions, deliberations and the awards ceremony.

  • Experience: No FIRST or related field experience required

  • Training: Pre-event training will be provided

​

  • Key skills: Communication, active listening, curiosity, teamwork, fairness and confidence engaging with young people.

  • ​What is provided: Meals, refreshments, volunteer shirt, parking information and event materials, where applicable.

  • Registration deadline: Friday 20 October, 2026

Role Details / Responsibilities:

​

  • Interview and observe teams in judging rooms, pits, and/or on the field 

  • Evaluate teams using program-specific guidelines and award criteria 

  • Participate in award deliberations and selection 

  • Write award scripts and assist with ceremonies 

  • Serve as a role model and provide encouragement  

  • Maintain confidentiality and follow FIRST standards for bias-free judging 

  • Sign and comply with Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Statement if applicable 

  • Must read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook

  • Reports to: Judge Advisor

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