INFORMATION AND RULES - 2025

Please be advised that the section you enter is determined by the competitors enrolled year level. Younger dancers may participate in older sections for example a student in year 8 may compete in Senior Secondary Sections (year 10 to 12). In dance, it is normal to dance up a level as long as the total team does not have a dancer who is in a higher school grade than specified. For example, a year 10 student cannot enter a junior secondary (year 7-9) section. 

For student choreography sections the choreographer must also be in the same age category as what is entered. For example a Junior Secondary student choreography team must be choreographed by a year 7-9 student/s only. Whereas the Senior Secondary student choreography team should be choreographed by a year 10-12 student/s.

Team entries are $49 per item.

Duo/Trio entries are $30 per item. 

Solos are $30 per item. 

Professional Experience Auditions are $25 per entry.

Changes to entries and/or late entries will occur a $20 fee per dance.

ALL ENTRIES OPEN: 20 JANUARY 2026

DATES FOR 2026 FOR ENTRIES

Queensland Events:

Gold Coast Regional: 6/7June held at Broadbeach Cultural Centre, Mermaid Waters

QLD Online Regional - 19 June

Cairns Regional - TBC held at St Andrew's Catholic College, Redlynch

Bundaberg Regional - TBC held at Shalom College

North Brisbane Regional - TBC held at Albany Creek State High School

South Brisbane Regional - 8/9 August held at Moreton Bay College, Manly West

Sunshine Coast Regional - 15/16 August held at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Buderim

QLD State Finals - 10-12 October held at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Buderim and The Events Centre, Caloundra

NSW Events:

Northern NSW Regional - TBC

Central Coast NSW Regional - TBC

NSW Online Regional - 23 September

Sydney Regional - 24 September held at Marana Auditorium, Hurstville

Important information:

Closing dates for sections at live regional events are subject to change if capacity is met earlier than expected.

All entrants must represent your school institution. Please ensure all teams and individual entries have sought approval/permission from key personnel such as the curriculum dance teacher, head of department or principal at your school before entering.

Late entries will be accepted for one week however a late-fee will be applied.

To avoid errors, only entries made online will be accepted. After entries close we will ensure you have all information as quickly as possible as we understand the need for you to organise this through your school's procedure. For this reason, please enter sooner rather than waiting until the last minute.

Groups are a minimum of 4 dancers and a maximum of 35  dancers per group. A maximum time limit of 4 minutes per team is also required.

SECTION 1: Primary Jazz Teams

SECTION 2: Primary Lyrical/Contemporary Teams

SECTION 3: Primary Hip Hop Teams

SECTION 4: Primary Any Other Style Teams

SECTION 5: Primary Junior Teams (Prep-3 only, any style) 

SECTION 6: Primary Solos (Years 4-6, any style)

SECTION 7: Primary Duo/Trios (Years 4-6, any style)

SECTION 8: Primary All Abilities Solo/Duo/Trio/Teams (any style)

SECTION 9: Primary Professional Experience Audition (Years 4-6, any style)

SECTION 10: Junior Secondary Jazz Teams (Years 7-9)

SECTION 11: Junior Secondary Hip Hop Teams (Years 7-9)

SECTION 12: Junior Secondary Lyrical Teams (Years 7-9)

SECTION 13: Junior Secondary Contemporary Teams (Years 7-9)

SECTION 14: Junior Secondary Any Other Style Teams (Years 7-9)

SECTION 15: Junior Secondary Student Choreography Teams (Years 7-9, any style)

SECTION 16: Junior Secondary Jazz Professional Experience Audition (Years 7-9)

SECTION 17: Junior Secondary Contemp/Lyrical Professional Experience Audition (Years 7-9)

SECTION 18: Junior Secondary Hip Hop Professional Experience Audition (Years 7-9)

SECTION 19: Junior Secondary Duo/Trios (Years 7-9, any style)

SECTION 20: Junior Secondary Solos Student Choreography (Years 7-9, any style)

SECTION 21: Junior Secondary Solos Teacher Taught (Years 7-9, any style)

SECTION 22: Junior Secondary All Abilities Solo/Duo/Trio/Teams (Years 7-9, any style) 

SECTION 23: Senior Secondary Jazz Teams (Years 10-12)

SECTION 24: Senior Secondary Hip Hop Teams (Years 10-12)

SECTION 25: Senior Secondary Lyrical Teams (Years 10-12)

SECTION 26: Senior Secondary Contemporary Teams (Years 10-12)

SECTION 27: Senior Secondary Any Other Style Teams (Years 10-12)

SECTION 28: Senior Secondary Student Choreography Teams (Years 10-12, any style) 

SECTION 29: Senior Secondary Jazz Professional Experience Audition (Years 10-12)

SECTION 30: Senior Secondary Contemp/Lyrical Professional Experience Audition (Years 10-12)

SECTION 31: Senior Secondary Hip Hop Professional Experience Audition (Years 10-12)

SECTION 32: Senior Secondary Duo/Trios (Years 10-12, any style)

SECTION 33: Senior Secondary Solos Student Choreography (Years 10-12, any style)

SECTION 34: Senior Secondary Solos Teacher Taught (Years 10-12, any style)

SECTION 35: Senior Secondary All Abilities Solo/Duo/Trio/Teams (Years 10-12, any style) 

Note: Any section is subject for combining/splitting pending entry numbers.

‘Any Other Style’ may include genres such as musical theatre, acrobatics, novelty and/or ANY dance style will be acceptable.

'Professional Experience Audition' is an individual entry. Students will spend 30 mins with an industry choreographer learning a short sequence in their entered style. They will then perform the sequence in groups in an 'audition style' format. It’s a great experience to learn on demand from other artists whilst gaining an authentic insight of auditions.  

'Student Choreography' must be choreographed by a currently enrolled student that is also in the same age group as what the piece is entered for. Therefore the choreographer must be in the same age bracket as the performers. For example a Junior Secondary student choreography team must be choreographed by a year 7-9 student/s only. Whereas the Senior Secondary student choreography team should be choreographed by a year 10-12 student/s.

'All Abilities' is a section designed for dancers with support needs or additional needs. Entrants here can be a solo, duo/trio or team performing in any style/genre of dance they desire. 

A digital program will be emailed to the email address on your entry form as it becomes available. A printed copy will be available to purchase ($10) and pick up at the venue on the day of competition if you prefer a hard-copy.

Competitors Pass: $11 per student

Schools must purchase a compulsory dancers pass for every competing dancer. These will be purchased at the time of entering. Teachers will be provided with wristbands for competing students and all dancers are required to wear this as it gives them access to backstage as well as dressing room space. These wristbands will also allow some access to the auditorium however should the theatre become full or there is a sold-out session, we would ask that students vacate the auditorium to allow for guests only.

Students who enter the online regional events do not need a competitors pass for these events. 

Two (2) teachers passes per entering school are available from the administration on arrival on the day of the competition.

www.comps-online.com.au At the time of checkout and payment you need to print & have a copy of your Comps-Online invoice as proof of payment. Should this not be generated then the payment did not go through but can be easily rectified through Comps-Online. We regret that entries/invoices not paid for in full via Comps-Online by the closing date will not be included in the competition or the program. Please ensure the Comps-Online entry includes the contact email address and phone number for the teacher in charge of your dance department.

All lost property will be left at the associated venue for a maximum of 2 weeks. If not collected it will be binned. Please email dancexschools@gmail.com for further enquiries.

1. ENTRANTS - Dancers/Schools enter and participate in this competition according to all rules and guidelines listed. Lack of knowledge will not be accepted as a reason for the infringement of any rule. 

2. EVENT - This competition open to amateurs only who have not or are not receiving income derived from the particular class for which they entered. 

3. SUITABILITY - This is a family-oriented dance competition; therefore costumes, routines and lyrics must be suitable. Any entrant not following this guideline could face deductions or disqualification at the directors' discretion.

4. COPYRIGHT - Dance Exchange is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or royalty by performers or those associated with the performances. Copied music and choreography is used at their own risk. We assume that all schools hold the relevant licenses. 

5. THE ADJUDICATORS DECISION WILL BE FINAL - Our adjudicators are qualified industry professionals, and their decisions are based on their expert judgement. Discussion or debate about results with the Adjudicator is not permitted under any circumstances. Competitors, teachers, and audience members must not approach or communicate with the Adjudicator during the event. Any questions or requests must be directed to the Stage Manager or in writing.

6. ALTERATIONS/CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM OR ADJUDICATOR - Dance Exchange reserves the right to make any alterations or additions to the program when they become necessary and to appoint a substitute Adjudicator at any time without notice. Competitors dance in all sections at their own risk and in the order according to the scheduled program.

7. NO PUBLIC DISPUTES ARE PERMITTED – Any concerns or formal disputes must be submitted in writing to the Stage Manager within 30 minutes of the issue arising. All submissions will be reviewed by the Dance Exchange Directors, whose decision will be final.

8. TIME LIMITS - Time limits will be strictly adhered to otherwise deductions will apply. Maximum time for a group routine is 4 minutes.

9. AGE LIMIT - Competitors must be prepared to provide proof of age/year level if required. Please be advised that the section you enter is determined by the oldest Competitor, younger dancers may participate in older sections. e.g. A student in Year 8 but may compete in Senior Secondary Sections Years 10 to 12. In dance it is normal to dance-up as long as the total team does not have a dancer who is in a higher school grade than specified. 

10. GROUPS - A maximum of three groups only per School are permitted to enter in any one section. Group sections are determined by the age of the eldest competitor in the group. The minimum number in any group is 4 dancers; the maximum number is 35 dancers. Competitors are permitted to appear in all groups. The teacher has the responsibility of checking in their groups and seeing they are marshalled ready to dance in turn (in the order of the program). Failure to appear at the marshalling section will not be the responsibility of Dance Exchange and you will forfeit your entry.

11. DANCE ITEMS - No group/solo item can be performed twice. Soloist can only perform once in their section. Duo/trio students can only perform once with the same combination of duo/trio students.

12. STAGE ETIQUETTE & CLEANLINESS – Competitors must respect the stage at all times. No special lighting effects or blackouts are permitted. Rosin, liquids, powders, glitter, feathers, or any substance that creates mess are strictly prohibited unless fully contained. If any part of a costume or prop causes mess on the stage, the team is responsible for cleaning it immediately and completely. Failure to do so may result in deductions. No lit candles or open flames are permitted at any time. Props must never be dragged.

13. EXPECTATIONS/SPORTSMANSHIP - As this is a friendly competition that respects all who wish to take part, bad sportsmanship will not be tolerated. Anyone who distresses a teacher, competitor, or a volunteer will be subject to disciplinary action and face deductions or possible disqualification.

14. MUSIC - Music must be suitable and appropriate for a family-orientated/school focused event. Any entrant not following this guideline could face deductions or disqualification at the directors' discretion.

15. BACKSTAGE SUPPORT - All schools must have a designated coach backstage with their team at all times. To maintain a safe and organised backstage area we ask that all individuals must follow directions given by staff as well as be respectful of the amount of people backstage acting as support. Assistance with props is allowed but only when it is your section and item.

16. PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEOGRAPHY - The recording or photographing of any performance using cameras, video cameras, or mobile devices is strictly prohibited. This requirement aligns with Child Protection Act. Most of our events provide professional photography and videography services, and any recording must only occur with prior consent from the parent/guardian and teacher. Failure to follow this rule may result in disqualification. Audience members using phones or recording devices will be instructed to delete any footage, and continued non-compliance may result in removal from the auditorium.

17. VENUE CONDUCT - In and around the venue as well as shared dressing rooms, all competitors and staff must respect the space, costumes, and personal belongings of others. Each dancer is responsible for maintaining a clean and tidy dressing area. Audience toilets and bathrooms must not be used as change rooms or for hair and make-up. Schools will incur a $200 cleaning fee if their allocated dressing area is left unclean or untidy. We strongly recommend bringing rugs or floor coverings for your dressing space to help prevent make-up marks, spills, and damage.

18. AWARDS/REPORTS - A trophy is awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Certiificates are provided to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th placements. Voice critiques are provided but please allow 1-3 days after event has finished for uploading.

19. THEATRE ETIQUETTE - Patrons are asked to remain seated and avoid entering or exiting the auditorium while a performance is in progress. We welcome positive and supportive cheering, however it must not be excessively loud, or disruptive to the performers on stage. Yelling, screaming, or calling out during routines can distract dancers and may compromise safety, especially during lifts, acrobatic skills, or moments requiring full concentration. Our aim is to create an encouraging atmosphere while maintaining respect for every performance.

20. REFUNDS AND CHANGES TO YOUR INVOICE - Dance Exchange cannot refund any entry fee unless we cancel the event. Changes to your entry due to honest mistakes will happily be rectified up to 7 days after your invoice is generated, please email with your request, dancexschools@gmail.com including all the relevant information, section numbers etc. Administration fees will still apply to any refunds provided within this time frame. Changes after 7 days will incur a $20 fee per dance, so please enter carefully.

21. GENERAL INFORMATION - The doors will open 1 hour before the session starts. It is advisable that all schools are on the premises 1 hour before the start of their first session. There is generally on-site food available for purchase. Please discourage eating in the dressing rooms. 

22. ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE - Every school needs to report to the administration table on arrival for check in purposes as well as on exit to ensure collection of all awards before the end of the day.

23. ONLINE SUBMISSIONS - All online entries must be filmed in one perspective with a complete view of the full stage space for the entirety of the dance work. There are to be no cuts, zooms or editing. Ensure all dancers stay in frame at all times. At the start of recording please state what section and competitor number is about to perform.

24. REGIONALS - Schools can enter online and live regionals but no item can be performed twice.