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The 2026 Maths Talent Quest is complete. Congratulations to every student who took part, and thank you to the teachers and judges who made it possible. Registrations for MTQ 2027 Stage 1 and Stage 2 will open in Term 2.
Stage 1 resources are available year round.
First held in 1982, the Maths Talent Quest (MTQ) is an annual activity open to all primary and secondary students. Students choose their own investigation topic based on their interests and apply mathematics in context.
They discover how mathematics is used and found in the world around them, in a positive experience that reduces barriers to learning and often reduces maths anxiety.
Why take part?
- Promotes interest in, and awareness of, mathematics in real life
- Builds students' learning capability
- Integrates learning outcomes across mathematics and other areas of the Victorian Curriculum
- Develops communication, collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking
- Encourages students to verify and justify the results of an investigation
- Creates avenues for extension for more able students
- Rewards all students for growth
- Caters for mixed-ability teaching and a variety of learning styles
- Fosters positive attitudes towards mathematics among students, teachers and parents
How it works
Stage 1: Free
Register your school's interest and get year-round access to all MTQ resources through our portal, so you can run the project with our full support. You don't need to submit entries or take part in judging.
Your Stage 1 pack includes
- Teacher information and tip sheet for running MTQ
- Key dates
- A student tip sheet and online resources
- Topic inspiration
- A guide to working mathematically
- Checklists for students and teachers
- A rubric for evaluation and assessment
- Examples of past student work
Stage 2: Submit for judging
Found some wonderful projects? Submit them to MAV for judging (all online). Teachers also take part in judging other entries, and students receive awards at the MTQ Awards Ceremony.
| MAV membersPer entry, inc. GST | $52 |
| Non-membersPer entry, inc. GST | $65 |
To join MTQ or update your school, teacher and entry details, use the MTQ access page. You'll need your MAV username and password. If you don't have one, call the MAV office on (03) 9380 2399.
More information
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Key dates for 2026From registration to the awards ceremony
Register your school for Stage 1Students can start investigations any time. All resources open once you register. Anytime Stage 2 registrations open 12 April Stage 2 registrations closeLast day to upload investigations to the registration portal 31 July Online state judging 9–20 August MAV State Awards CeremonyUniversity of Melbourne 26 October -
RubricHow Stage 2 entries are judged
Investigations submitted to Stage 2 are judged at least twice against this rubric. We encourage you to use it at school level to help select your top entries.
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Awards and student workRecognising excellence, achievement and growth
Students are recognised for academic excellence, achievement and growth through a range of award categories.
State-level certificates
- National Representatives
- High Distinction in Achievement
- Distinction in Achievement
- Credit for Growth
- Recognition of Growth
Special awards
- Jim Trotter Award (upper primary excellence in mathematics)
- Sponsored Special Topic Awards
- Outstanding Schools Awards
A Certificate of Participation template will be available on the MAV website for schools to present to students who complete the MTQ at school level. The 2026 awards celebration will be held on 26 October at the University of Melbourne.
Examples of student work
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Information webinarAn introduction to running the MTQ
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For studentsResources to inspire, plan and complete your investigation
Welcome, students! These resources will help you get inspired, plan and complete your MTQ investigation.
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For teachersEntries, registration, judging and FAQs
Who can enter?
All students from Foundation to Year 12. Entries are submitted by a school, unless the student is home-schooled. A maximum of 6 entries per category, per year level, per campus will be accepted for state judging. Entries can come from individual students, groups of up to 6 students, or whole classes.
What can be entered?
We welcome a diverse range of creative presentations of students' mathematical investigations. Each investigation must be:
- Communicated so a judge can interpret it in no more than 30 minutes (for example, reading a written report and checking calculations)
- Uploaded to the registration platform as one file (PDF or PowerPoint preferred), no larger than 35 MB. Embed large media in web-based documents such as Google Docs, Google Slides, student-made websites or YouTube.
How do I register entries for Stage 2?
- Watch the step-by-step video guide in the online course portal (free when you register for Stage 1)
- Judge entries at school level to select your top entries
- Submit them through online registration between 12 April and 31 July 2026
- Complete the student growth field for each entry: an area where the student has shown learning growth (30-word limit)
- Nominate your judge(s) online. Judging is compulsory: schools judge two entries for every entry they submit
- Complete payment online to confirm your entries. Refunds are available before registrations close, less 50% of the entry fee
How does judging work?
- A step-by-step judging video is provided in your free Stage 1 online course
- Online judging runs from 9 to 20 August 2026. MAV will contact you to organise access and send judging information beforehand
- Judges choose when they judge
- Schools are notified of results. MAV's decision is final
Frequently asked questions
Can students from different year levels enter together?
Yes. Register the investigation at the higher year level. For example, a group of two Year 6 and three Year 5 students enters Year 6.What if my group has 8 students?
Enter it as a class entry.My students have created a video. How can I enter it?
Upload it to a student-friendly platform such as YouTube Kids and include the link in a file such as a PDF.My students' investigation would take a judge three hours to read. Can I still enter it?
You can, but judges have a 30-minute guideline per investigation. Part of the skill is communicating an investigation effectively within these parameters.Can I start registering entries while other students finish their work?
Yes. Stage 2 registrations are open from 12 April to 31 July 2026, and you can add or change registrations during that time.We've submitted 7 entries and have 3 judges. How does that work?
We share the investigations equally between your judges.Why do I need to comment on students' learning growth?
To value every student's effort and growth, not just academic excellence. Valuing growth is a great way to reduce anxiety towards mathematics. For example: “Dean has shown growth in his understanding of graphs and choosing the best graph style to present the most efficient way to save energy in his home.” -
Pathways to the National MTQInterstate competitions
The National Mathematics Talent Quest accepts one top entry per category from each state and territory. Schools in states without a local competition are welcome to enter through MAV's competition.
- New South Wales: Mathematical Association of NSW, Investigating with Mathematics
- Queensland: Science Teachers' Association of Queensland, Queensland Science Contest (Mathematics category)
- Western Australia: Mathematical Association of WA, Maths Talent Quest
- South Australia: Mathematical Association of SA, Enrichment Project
- Tasmania: enter through MAV's competition
Teacher and judge version (PDF)
Student version (PDF)
Foundation individual
Year 1 individual
Year 2 individual
Year 3 individual
Year 4 individual
Year 5 group
Year 6 individual
Year 7 individual
Year 8 group
Year 9 individual
Student tip sheet
100 inspiring titles
Primary checklist
Secondary checklistInterested in sponsoring the MTQ? Contact Jen Bowden at jbowden@mav.vic.edu.au.
Questions about the MTQ?
Email MTQ@mav.vic.edu.au, including for National MTQ enquiries.
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