Recent Changes

Changes for 2026

  1. All entries continue to be submitted online via the National History Challenge submission portal. There have been some minor adjustments to the portal, which may not be noticed depending on your submission.
    Please follow all instructions carefully!
  2. New Special Category for 2026 – Ancient Societies
  3. New state coordinators, please check details here.
  4. New theme – “Voices”
The theme for the 2026 NHC is Voices

Changes for 2025

I. All entries to be submitted online via the National History Challenge submission portal.

2. All entries from Primary 2 – Year 5-6 and above require a reflection, maximum 150 words. 

  • why the topic was chosen,
  • how the research was conducted,
  • what was learned.

3. 3D Models;

  • Can only be submitted online
  • You need to take photographs or make a video of your model that can be uploaded together with the bibliography and other files that may be required to judge the entry.
  • The judges need to be able to see the entry as a whole as well as the different components.
  • If text was integrated into the model, please provide a close-up image of the text or add the text files separately.
  • Please contact your state coordinator for any further guidance.
  • Museum Exhibits – There is no Special Category prize for Museum Exhibits. They are presentation formats that can be entered in any Entry Level and Special Categories where accepted.

4. Museum Exhibits

There is no Special Category prize for Museum Exhibits. They are presentation formats that can be entered in any Entry Level and Special Categories where accepted.

5. Museum Exhibits

  • State and Nation prize money increased
  • Schools of Young Historian to receive a trophy recognising the achievement of their students

6. Presentation formats expanded to

  • Individual Research Essay
  • Website
  • Documentary-style Video
  • Virtual Musuem
  • 3D Model
  • Other Formats

7. New Special Category for 2025, History of Place see website for details.

Changes for 2024

1. Essay length – refer to table below for 2024 details.

Changes for 2024 table

2. 3D Models – criteria amended to 2024 version below 

You may have up to 1,000 words of student composed written material and less than 3 minutes of recorded information if AV devices are built into the model. A hard copy of this material must be submitted with the entry. This limit DOES NOT INCLUDE primary sources on the model.

3. Groups – A group entry can consist of a maximum of three (3) students.

4. An individual may enter the competion once in any calendar year. They can only submit one individual entry. They can be in a group as well as submitting an individual entry.

5. Students from year 1 to 4 are ineligible for Special Categories.

6. Entries classed as “Other Formats” , that is not essays or 3D Models must comply with word limits and citation guidelines as per individual research essays