Hard Quiz Kids is officially back for Season 3 in 2026, and if you’ve got a smart, confident, slightly cheeky kid in Years 5–7, this might be the opportunity of a lifetime.

ABC’s hit quiz show — hosted by the brilliantly deadpan Tom Gleeson — is rolling out another kids edition featuring the brightest, boldest young experts Australia has to offer. And this year, the casting team is hunting for NSW’s most passionate mini-experts who aren’t afraid of a little banter.

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As someone who has worked across Australian reality TV, children’s casting, and unscripted production, I’m going to walk you through:

  • How to apply for Hard Quiz Kids
  • Eligibility and key dates
  • What the application form really asks for
  • What producers look for in the video audition
  • How to choose the perfect expert topic
  • Insider secrets from a casting and production point of view
  • How kids can prepare for auditions and the quiz

By the end of this guide, you’ll be fully prepared to submit a standout application.

How to Apply for Hard Quiz Season 11 (2026) – Full Audition Guide

What Is Hard Quiz Kids? (And Why It’s So Popular)

Hard Quiz Kids is a kids-only spin-off of ABC’s award-winning game show Hard Quiz. It takes the classic format — expert topics, Tom Gleeson’s legendary roasts, high-pressure banter — and transforms it into a high-energy, kid-friendly competition featuring Australia’s smartest young minds.

In previous seasons, kids blew the audience away with niche, unexpected topics like:

  • Cassowaries
  • Fungi
  • The Solar System
  • Ned Kelly
  • Orangutans
  • Cleopatra
  • The Listies

The charm of the show comes from the kids’ authentic passion, combined with Tom’s dry humour — and the kids’ surprisingly fearless responses.

Season 3 promises even more chaos and brilliance, and if your child has a subject they know inside-out, this is the perfect platform for them.

Key Dates, Locations & Eligibility

Before diving into the application, here are the essentials:

Audition Location

📍 Sydney, New South Wales
🗓 March 2026

Filming Location

📍 Melbourne, Victoria
🗓 August–September 2026

The producer covers flights + 1 night of accommodation for the selected child and one parent.

Application Deadline

⏳ Midnight, 8 March 2026 (AEDT)

Eligibility

Your child must:

✔️ Be in Year 5, 6, or 7 in 2026
✔️ Live in New South Wales (NSW residents only)
✔️ Have parental/guardian approval — the adult must complete the form
✔️ Be comfortable on camera and willing to be filmed
✔️ Have a unique “expert topic” NOT used in previous seasons

How to Apply for Hard Quiz Kids: Step-by-Step Application Guide

The application is hosted on MyCastingNet, the most commonly used casting portal for Australian reality shows. It’s the same system used for programs like The Voice, AGT, and ABC educational content.

Here’s exactly what the form includes — based on the full internal application you provided.

STEP 1 — Parent/Guardian Contact Details (Adult Section)

This page is strictly for the parent/guardian, not the child.

You will need to enter:

  • Child’s First & Last Name
  • Adult’s First & Last Name
  • Primary Email + Confirmation
  • Adult’s Phone & Mobile
  • Home Address (NSW only)
  • City + Postcode
  • Child’s Date of Birth
  • Child’s Gender
  • Child’s School
  • Child’s School Year in 2026 (only 5, 6, or 7 allowed)
  • Optional: Second adult mobile number

You must also tick:

✔️ I have read and agree to the Terms & Conditions
✔️ I have read and understand the Privacy Policy

This consent is extremely important because the production may conduct:

  • Background checks
  • Character checks
  • Police checks (for adults)
  • Identity verification

Tip from a producer:
Use the same email and mobile number throughout the process — casting teams rely heavily on fast communication. Missed calls = missed opportunities.

STEP 2 — Select Your Child’s Expert Topic (Child Section)

This page must be completed by the child (as per the application rules). Parents can guide typing, but the answers must be the child’s own thoughts.

Questions include:

  • What topic do you know a lot about?
  • How did you become interested in this topic?
  • Why do you like this topic?
  • Any backup topic you know a lot about?
  • Why do you want to go on Hard Quiz Kids?
  • How would you handle Tom Gleeson’s cheekiness?
  • Do you have hobbies or special interests?
  • Tell us a funny or interesting story about you.

Producer Insight:

This is where the casting team evaluates:

✔️ Personality
✔️ Authenticity
✔️ Passion
✔️ Storytelling ability
✔️ Sense of humour

Kids who give short, one-word answers rarely stand out. Encourage your child to be descriptive, enthusiastic, and genuine.

STEP 3 — The Hard Quiz Kids Mini-Quiz (Child Only)

This is a 10-question, multiple-choice quiz, with a 5-minute timer.

Key details:

  • Kids must do it alone
  • It’s NOT about getting full marks
  • It helps producers match similar skill levels for the actual show
  • Difficulty varies intentionally

Producer Insight:

Casting directors do not expect perfection here. They want to see how kids handle pressure and unfamiliar questions. Confidence matters more than accuracy.

STEP 4 — Upload Photos & Video Audition

You will need to upload:

✔️ One clear recent photo of the child
(Optional: Add a second photo)

✔️ A video (up to 2 minutes)
Where the child explains:

  • Why they want to be on Hard Quiz Kids
  • Why they love their chosen topic

Video can be recorded on a smartphone.

🎥 How to Nail the Video Audition

(Expert Producer Tips)

As someone who has sat through thousands of casting tapes, here’s how your child can stand out:

✔️ Tip 1: Use natural lighting

Face a window. Avoid overhead lights.

✔️ Tip 2: Shoot in landscape mode

TV-friendly framing.

✔️ Tip 3: Show energy

Tom Gleeson loves cheeky, confident kids. The video needs spark.

✔️ Tip 4: Don’t memorise a script

Producers can tell instantly. Natural > perfect.

✔️ Tip 5: Include a “wow” moment

A surprising fact or mini-demonstration about their topic makes the tape pop.

✔️ Tip 6: Smile and enjoy it

If your child looks like they’re having fun, casting will too.

How to Pick the Perfect Expert Topic (Most Important Part of the Application)

Your child’s topic is the heart of their audition. This is what they’ll defend on national television — so it must be:

✔️ Specific
✔️ Unique
✔️ Not used in past seasons
✔️ Something they can talk about endlessly

Examples of strong topics:

  • Minecraft Redstone
  • Volcanic eruptions
  • Kangaroos
  • Great Barrier Reef sharks
  • Olympian Cathy Freeman
  • BTS
  • Formula One cars
  • LEGO Minifigures
  • Ancient Egyptian Gods
  • Taylor Swift albums

Avoid broad topics like “Science” or “Animals.” Producers need depth, not general knowledge.

What Casting Directors Look For (Insider Secrets)

Here’s what really matters behind the scenes:

🎯 1. Personality

Kids don’t need to be loud, but they must show:

  • Curiosity
  • Confidence
  • Enthusiasm
  • Some cheekiness

🎯 2. Storytelling

Can they explain their topic simply and entertainingly?

🎯 3. Banter ability

Tom Gleeson will try to outsmart them.
Casting directors check:

  • Can they clap back playfully?
  • Can they stay composed?

🎯 4. Memorability

A child who says “I like dinosaurs” won’t stand out.
A child who says:

“I know 47 species of dinosaurs and I can imitate 5 of them”
will.

🎯 5. Strong video presence

Clear voice, big smile, camera confidence.

🎯 6. Parents who respect boundaries

This is important. Over-coached kids are easy to spot.
Producers want child-led enthusiasm.

Your Child’s Monologue (A Casting Expert’s Recommended Script)

Here’s a template that works beautifully:

🎤 60–90 Second Monologue Structure

1. Introduction
“Hi, I’m Ava, I’m 11 years old, and I’m going into Year 6 in 2026.”

2. Expert topic
“My expert topic is LEGO Minifigures.”

3. Why you love it
“I started collecting them after my dad bought me a Space Minifigure when I was 5.”

4. Show your depth
“I can tell you the difference between every LEGO series from 2010 to 2023.”

5. A surprising fact
“There’s a Minifigure worth over $10,000 — and I’ve actually seen it in person!”

6. Show cheekiness
“I don’t think Tom will be able to trick me — but I’ll let him try.”

7. Confident ending
“I’d love to be on Hard Quiz Kids because I want to prove that LEGO knowledge is real knowledge!”

This structure is fun, confident, and producer-approved.

What Happens After You Apply? (The Backstage Reality)

If shortlisted, producers will:

  • Call or email the parent
  • Ask clarifying questions
  • Possibly schedule additional Zoom or in-person auditions
  • Invite you to Sydney auditions (March 2026)

Kids must be accompanied by a parent at all times.

If selected for the show:

  • Producers cover flights to Melbourne
  • Provide 1 night’s accommodation
  • Give full instructions for filming day
  • Conduct rehearsals, warmups, and show briefings

Parents will sign final legal release forms.

How to Prepare Your Child for Audition Day

✔️ Teach them their “fun facts”

Have them know 5–10 brilliant facts about their topic.

✔️ Practice cheeky one-liners

Nothing rude, but playful confidence is rewarded.

✔️ Encourage natural reactions

Producers love authenticity.

✔️ Remind them: It’s okay to be nervous

Every child is.

✔️ Practice clear speaking

Pace, volume, clarity.

1. What makes a “good” expert topic for Hard Quiz Kids?

A strong topic is:
Very specific (e.g., “Minecraft Redstone” instead of “Minecraft”)
Something your child genuinely loves (producers can always tell)
Not repeated from previous seasons
Deep enough that your child can answer advanced questions
Unique — avoid extremely common topics like “Dogs,” “Harry Potter,” “Cars”
👉 Tip: If your child can’t talk about the topic for 3–4 minutes without running out of facts, it’s not strong enough.

2. How long should the video audition be?

Up to 2 minutes, but 90 seconds is the sweet spot. If the child goes beyond 2 minutes, the system may reject it — and casting directors will stop watching after the first minute anyway.

3. Can my child apply if they’re shy or introverted?

YES — shyness is not a deal-breaker.
Casting directors love:
1. thoughtful kids
2. quietly confident kids
3. kids with unique niche passions
4. kids who show spark when talking about their topic
Your child does not need to be loud or overly dramatic — they just need to be engaged and expressive when discussing their topic.

4. What kind of “cheekiness” is appropriate for Tom Gleeson?

Cheeky ≠ rude.
Ideal cheekiness includes:
1. playful comebacks
2.funny facts
3.confident one-liners
4.quick reactions
Example:
Tom: “Do you really know this topic better than me?”
Kid: “Yes. Sorry Tom.”
(Delivered with a smile.)

5. Is the mini-quiz important for selection?

Not really. The quiz is used to:
pair contestants with similar abilities, balance episodes, understand your child’s general knowledge level. It is not a pass/fail component.
A brilliant topic + confident answers + strong video matter far more.

Final Application Checklist

Before hitting submit, check:

✔️ NSW resident
✔️ Child is in Year 5, 6, or 7 in 2026
✔️ Unique expert topic chosen
✔️ All child sections answered
✔️ 2-minute video uploaded
✔️ Clear photo uploaded
✔️ Mini-quiz completed
✔️ T&Cs accepted

If all boxes are ticked — you’re ready to go.

Final Thoughts: Your Child Could Be Australia’s Next Hard Quiz Champion

Hard Quiz Kids is one of the most joyful casting experiences in the industry. It celebrates intelligence, curiosity, passion, and confidence — qualities that shine through on screen.

If your child has a quirky niche interest, a strong personality, and the guts to take on Tom Gleeson, don’t miss this chance.

This is their moment to show Australia what they’re made of.

Applications close 8 March 2026.
NSW kids only.
Apply ASAP — casting fills fast.