NSW Schools Constitutional Convention
Year 10 and 11 students in 2026 are invited to apply for the NSW Schools Constitutional Convention in Sydney.
Call for applications
Applications are open for the NSW Schools Constitutional Convention (NSW SCC), in Sydney on Tuesday 3 November 2026.
The NSW SCC is an annual civics and citizenship event. It brings together students from government, Catholic and independent schools across NSW. The convention gives students a chance to deepen their understanding of the Australian Constitution, parliamentary democracy and civic participation.
Students will:
- hear from keynote speaker Professor Emerita Anne Twomey
- engage with constitutional issues
- participate in structured discussions and debates with students from across NSW.
Students will develop critical thinking, communication and leadership skills while exploring contemporary issues related to Australia’s system of government.
The NSW SCC is also the selection event for the NSW delegation to the National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC) in Canberra in 2027. A total of 30 students will be selected to represent NSW at the national convention. The NSCC will be conducted as a school excursion in accordance with the Excursions and variations to routine procedure.
Key dates
- Applications close: 3pm Monday 14 September 2026.
- Outcome: applicants notified via email by Monday 21 September 2026.
- NSW SCC: Tuesday 3 November 2026 in Sydney.
- NSCC: 2027 in Canberra.
Who can apply
Applications are open to students who:
- are enrolled in Year 10 or Year 11 in 2026
- attend a government, Catholic or independent school in NSW
- demonstrate an interest in civics and citizenship, leadership, government, law, public policy or student voice.
Each school may nominate up to 2 students.
Nominations must be submitted by a teacher on behalf of the student and school.
Funding is available to support eligible students from regional, rural and remote areas to attend the convention.
Attendance requirements
The NSW Department of Education hosts the NSW Schools Constitutional Convention and coordinates the application and selection process.
Schools are responsible for:
- completing all relevant excursion and risk management requirements, including any Variation of Routine (VoR) processes required by their school sector
- making appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements, where required, for participating students
- arranging appropriate supervision for participating students during the event and while travelling to and from the event
- providing any information required to support student participation and wellbeing, such as dietary requirements, disability adjustments and medical information.
The NSW Department of Education will provide a risk assessment to support schools in preparing excursion documentation.
How to apply
Complete the following steps to apply.
Step 1 – school selects student nominees
Each school conducts an internal process to nominate up to 2 students to apply for the NSW SCC 2026.
Step 2 – students prepare responses
Students prepare a written response (up to 200 words each) to the following 3 questions:
- Describe how you have engaged in civic life (for example, through student leadership, volunteering, advocacy, community service or student voice initiatives).
- Explain why you would like to attend the 2026 NSW Schools Constitutional Convention.
- Explain why it is important for young Australians to understand our democracy and Constitution.
Step 3 – teachers submit applications
Teachers complete the nomination form and attach each student applicant's written responses by 3pm Monday 14 September 2026.
The NSW SCC selection process
Selection will be based on:
- the quality of the written responses
- demonstrated interest in civics and citizenship, leadership and democratic participation
- representation across school sectors and geographic locations throughout NSW.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome via email by Monday 21 September 2026.
Video – NSW students at the National Schools Constitutional Convention (4:21)
Watch highlights from the NSW delegation that attended the NSCC in Canberra in March 2026.
[Students walking and gathering outside the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) at Old Parliament House]
Geoffrey O’Neill – NSCC Facilitator
The National School's Constitutional Convention commenced in 1995. 120 students from around Australia come every year to Canberra and debate the constitutional issue at hand.
Sofia – Student, James Ruse Agricultural High School
I was motivated to apply because of my personal belief that young people can really make a difference in the world and because of my passion for advocacy.
Emilia – Student, Jindabyne High School
The Convention seemed to me like an opportunity to meet like-minded people and grow as a person.
Cindy – Student, James Ruse Agricultural High School
I have a really big passion for civics. I run my school's politics club, and I really wanted to bring back any insight that I could get on the Constitution.
Pip – Student, Merewether High School
Although I've seen things on TV, being able to watch a debate in real life for Question Time, it really changed my perspective. It also gave me a different connection to those people in parliament.
Ricky – Student, The King’s School
I thought it'd be an amazing opportunity to not only see the law in practice, but also extend on my own knowledge.
Chloe – Student, Sylvania High School
I was motivated to apply by my amazing SRC coordinator and also my participation and interest in advocating change.
Samantha – Student, Loreto Normanhurst
I believe all young students should have an ability to give back to the community.
Melissa – Student, Penrith Anglican College
It's really important that young people are interested in democracy and seek to find change and do what's best for the country as they get older.
Sudeep – Student, St Luke’s Catholic College
I think the NSCC is a great example of showing the capacity young people have for inspiring change.
Neve – Student, Grafton High School
Coming from a regional town, there's not much opportunity to learn about our Constitution and our democracy. So being able to fully immerse myself into this experience and visit Parliament House for the first time has been really wonderful.
Bianca – Student, St George Girls High School
When I was thinking about government and parliament before I was thinking more of the MPs and the politicians, but now I can see how central the Constitution was.
Grace – Student, Davidson High School
Acknowledging the impact that the Constitution has, both on our everyday activities and life, but also on a really large extent, on the whole operation of our democratic system in Australia.
Erin – Student, Ambarvale High School
It helped me understand that the Constitution isn't just a document, but it's a major part of Australia's history and has really shaped the present and future.
Rianna – Student, Illawarra Sports High School
Seeing politics happen in real life and how politics can influence normal Australian people such as myself.
[Students voting in the referenda process with representatives from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)]
Al – Student, Peel High School
This experience has allowed me to deepen my critical thinking skills.
Liam – Student, Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School
To be able to listen and appreciate different perspectives from people from all different parts of life, different communities across Australia.
Alyssa – Student, Brigidine College St Ives
I've been enabled to be more confident in my speaking abilities, but also in networking.
Krisha – Student, The Ponds High School
This experience has been great. I was able to interact with other people and realise what it's like to be in an actual parliament.
Sommer – Student, Rutherford Technology High School
It has taught me to translate textbook understanding into real world conversations.
Grace
I've definitely developed an understanding of the political system and what roles are available in that area.
Rianna
I'm very interested to potentially pursue a career in constitutional law after seeing how constitutional law affects our everyday life.
Anna – Student, Marian Catholic College Griffith
This encouraged me to pursue my career in law and politics, becoming a prosecutor or a criminal defence lawyer, and potentially a politician later in my life.
Erin – Student, St Mary Star of the Sea College
As somebody who's always been interested in public life and in the law, it's really been an eye opener for me in seeing what those potential careers could look like and the skills that are needed for the environments that you work in.
Rhea – Student, Cherrybrook Technology High School
Opportunities like these allow people who are interested to get a taste of what they can do in a democracy and what they bring to the table. Because we're all stakeholders here, we all have something to say, and I feel like opportunities like these really help young Australians know what they're getting into and know how they can actually raise their voice.
Emilia
For teachers, I think it's most important for them to understand how achievable this is and how critical it is for our education.
Pip
It's been truly eye-opening.
Grace
Insightful.
Erin
Enlightening.
Krisha
Thrilling.
Sofia
Inspiring.
[Students gathering to pose for group photo holding certificates]
Sudeep
Passionate.
Liam
Incredible.
Sommer
Innovative.
Rhea
Wholesome.
Ricky
Transformative.
Melissa
Honourable.
Chloe
Critical.
Al
Mind-opening.
Neve
Amazing.
Bianca
Superb.
Anna
Empowering.
Brooke
Inspiring. A hundred percent. Inspiring.
[End of transcript]
Selection for the National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC)
Students who participate in the NSW SCC may be selected to represent NSW at the NSCC in Canberra in 2027.
Thirty students will be selected from the NSW convention to form the NSW delegation.
Selection will consider:
- the quality of participation and engagement during the convention
- demonstrated interest in civics and citizenship
- representation across school sectors and geographic locations.
Further information about the selection process will be shared with participating students and schools at the convention.
Further information
For enquiries, contact the Secondary Teaching and Learning team at secondaryteachingandlearning@det.nsw.edu.au
Note: do not send applications to this email address.