Who can enter?

Anyone within the age limits can enter. The minimum age for Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards is 14, 15 and 16 respectively, and entrants must finish before their 25th birthday.

How does an Award help me?

An Award is an international award for achievement recognised internationally. It helps you in 3 ways: It helps you discover interests and talents you never knew you had. It gives you a certificate and badge as a record of your talents and ability to meet challenges. It is recognised by Government and industry in much the same way as an educational qualification is recognised, so it helps to put you ahead of the crowd.

What is it in a nutshell?

Non-competitive - a personal challenge, not a competition.

Available to all - anyone can do it!

Voluntary - it's up to you what you do - it's your leisure time.

Flexible - your programme is designed by you.

Balanced - it will stretch you in all directions.

Progressive - you improve at your own pace.

Achievement focused - you can't fail!

Marathon not a sprint - it takes more than short bursts of enthusiasm.

Process not a prize - it's taking part that matters, getting an Award is the icing on the cake!

Enjoyable - it's about getting out there and having fun!

What does it cost?

The Scheme is quite inexpensive. Initial registration fee is $50.00. This includes your Record Book, public liability and personal accident insurance. To continue on to each next level of the Award, an annual fee of $50.00 applies. Your Record Book does for all 3 levels. The only other costs are any expenses incurred through your activities, such as bus fares, evening classes or special equipment. There may also be a membership fee if you join through a group.

How long does it take?

You proceed at your own pace, and you can take as long as you like provided you finish before your 25th birthday. This limit can be extended in case of accident, illness or other unavoidable circumstance. The minimum permissable times for completing the Award are 6 months for Bronze, 12 months for Silver and 18 months for Gold. However most entrants prefer to take about twice as long because this reduces their weekly load. Apart from an occasional weekend and possibly an evening class or two, most entrants spend between 1 and 2 hours a week on the Award, depending on the activity (skills take the longest) and their initial proficiency.

How difficult is it?

The three Awards are within the reach of all. The Scheme is completely voluntary and non-competitive - the only person you need to impress is yourself. Of course, the Award can be quite demanding (like life, it wasn't meant to be easy) but it is very rewarding.

Do school or work activities count?

No. Award activities must be done in your spare time. Time spent on activities done during school or work hours, or before you received your Record Book, cannot be counted towards an Award.

What if I am disabled?

No problems. You can still benefit from the Award because the conditions can be modified to accommodate your disability. However there is no lowering of standards and no soft options - the modifications accommodate your disability and no more. Thus you can take part on equal terms with everyone else.

Do lower Awards count towards higher ones?

Yes. Thus an entrant with a Bronze Award could get a Silver Award in a minimum of 6 months instead of 12. In fact, most entrants prefer to work up through the Awards rather than go for a higher Award direct, since this takes no more time, introduces them to the demands gradually, and guarantees them a Bronze Award even if they have to withdraw from the higher Awards.

Must I belong to a group?

Yes. How can I find a group? The Scheme operates through many local organisations, schools, employers and the defence forces. There is almost certainly a group near you. Please contact us at the Award office for details.

How is the Award organised?

The Award is organised by a committee in each State according to an overall policy set by the International Secretariat in London. Each committee consists of volunteer members of the community and has an office base with part-time staff. Adult volunteers liase between the office and groups of entrants.

What activities are available in Tasmania?

There is an almost endless range of possible activities that you may undertake as part of the Award. See the activities page for a list of suggestions in each category.

How does it work?

You follow your activities in your spare time at your own pace under the guidance of your instructors. An instructor can be any experienced person but is usually an existing instructor at an institution or club. The time required varies, but is typically an hour or two a week for a year or so. When you have finished, an assessor verifies that you have reached the standard specified in the Award Handbook. You then receive you Award. Step by step, what you do is this:

Select your activities. Fill out the registration form, and return it with the registration fee of $44. We send you your Record Book. Find an instructor for each of your chosen activities and work out a schedule. Your Award Co-ordinator (group leader) will help you find instructors. Begin your activities and record your progress in your Record Book. Assessors will usually be appointed automatically by your instructors. When you have finished your programme to the standards specified, make sure your Record Book is complete and signed by your assessors. Send in your completed Record Book to your Award Co-ordinator (group leader) for approval. You will then be notified as to when you will receive your badge and certificate.

What do I do now?

Print out the registration form and send it along with your registration fee to the Award office at: GPO Box 439 Hobart TAS 7001 For more information feel free to contact us by email, telephone, fax or mail.

"The Duke of Edinburgh's Award has given me many great experiences that I would have never imagined I could achieve. I even met the Duke himself when I completed my Gold Award"