The Australian Soil Judging Competition

Organised annually by Soil Science Australia, the Australian Soil Judging Competition serves as a vital capacity-building event designed to address the shortage of field-ready soil scientists.

Its primary purpose is to build workforce capability by immersing early-career professionals and students in intensive field-based training to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical land management.

The competition involves competitors getting into soil pits as teams of three to five people, guided by expert mentors and coaches, to identify and describe the characteristics of a soil profile while applying the Australian Soil Classification system.

The three-day event includes two training days followed by a competition day and an awards ceremony with several categories of prizes. The specific venue for the competition day is often kept secret until the last moment to ensure a fair and challenging environment for all participants.

The competition is helping ensure the next generation is equipped to provide high-quality, science-based advice for sustainable agriculture and land restoration, fostering a collaborative network essential for tackling global challenges like food security and climate change within our region.

Since its inception in 2012, the event has evolved from a trial event involving students into a large-scale professional development operation, with the 2025 Armidale event hosting over 220 participants from across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.  

About the 2026 Australian Soil Judging Competition

The 2026 Competition is being held in the south-western region of Western Australia. Moving the competition to a new region each year gives all participants exposure to a variety of soil types and profiles, and to adapt their theoretical knowledge to diverse land-uses (from agriculture to engineering and urban use). Competitors are likely to encounter deep, nutrient-leached sands and ancient, iron-rich gravelly soils, where they must assess water-holding capacity and acidity risks for scenarios ranging from high-value horticulture to sensitive groundwater management.