General Competition Rules & Conditions of Entry

A. Registration, Fees & Entry Conditions

1. Acceptance of Competition Rules

By submitting a registration, the registering studio, school or individual agrees to comply with the published All In Dance Competition Rules and Conditions of Entry.

All competitors, teachers, parents, guardians, spectators and other attendees are required to comply with the applicable event rules and reasonable directions given by All In Dance Competition and venue staff.

All In Dance Competition reserves the right to take reasonable action to maintain event safety, protect participants and enforce its published conditions.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits any legal rights or obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

2. Registration & Payment

All official competition entries must be submitted through www.comps-online.com.au.

A platform booking fee of $5.50 applies per transaction, regardless of the number of routines included in that transaction.

For example, entering two routines in a single transaction will incur one $5.50 platform booking fee.

Entries will only be confirmed once registration has been completed and payment has been received in full through the nominated registration platform.

Studios, schools and individual competitors are responsible for ensuring that all registration details are accurate and complete.

Incomplete or unpaid entries may not be included in the competition program. Entrants should retain their booking confirmation and contact All In Dance Competition promptly if they believe an entry has not been processed correctly.

All In Dance Competition reserves the right to close registrations once an event reaches capacity, including before the advertised closing date.

Late entries may be considered at the discretion of All In Dance Competition, subject to available capacity and scheduling requirements. Acceptance is not guaranteed, and any applicable additional charges will be disclosed before an entry is accepted.

3. Changes to Registrations & Entries

Before Publication of the Final Competition Program

Requests to amend an existing entry must be submitted by email to All In Dance Competition.

Minor administrative changes, such as updating the number or composition of dancers in a troupe or school group, may be accommodated at the discretion of All In Dance Competition, provided the entry remains eligible and the change does not affect competition scheduling.

Approved minor administrative changes will not attract an additional All In administration fee.

Requests for changes that affect competition scheduling, including changes to dance styles, age divisions or special scheduling requests, may attract an administration fee of $20 per approved change.

Any applicable administration fee will be advised before the requested change is processed.

All amendments are subject to approval by All In Dance Competition, competition eligibility requirements and available scheduling capacity.

Requests to change age divisions due to illness, scheduling conflicts, commitments to other competitions or personal circumstances will not ordinarily be accepted.

Individual solo entries cannot be transferred to another dancer without prior approval from All In Dance Competition.

Requests to use the alternative ground-level dance floor must be made before publication of the final competition program, as outlined in Clause 12.

Additional Routine Entries

Once a registration has been completed through www.comps-online.com.au, adding an additional routine will require a new transaction.

The platform’s $5.50 booking fee will apply to that additional transaction. Multiple additional routines included in the same subsequent transaction will incur the booking fee only once.

After Publication of the Final Competition Program

Once the final competition program has been officially published, no further changes to entries, categories, dancer numbers, routine details or performance order may be requested or made by competitors.

All In Dance Competition reserves the right to amend the final program where necessary for operational, scheduling or safety reasons, in accordance with Clause 9.

Studios, schools and competitors must continue to notify All In Dance Competition promptly of withdrawals, illness-related non-attendance, dancer absences or safety concerns.

Notification of a withdrawal, absence or safety concern does not constitute a request for a program amendment. Where a notification requires an operational or safety-related adjustment, All In Dance Competition will determine any necessary action.

4. Withdrawals, Cancellations & Refunds

Entry fees are generally non-refundable where a competitor or group withdraws, changes their mind or is unable to attend due to personal circumstances, including illness, injury or scheduling conflicts.

Refunds or transfers are not generally available for incorrect entries or changes of mind.

Studios, schools and individual entrants must notify All In Dance Competition as soon as practicable if a registered competitor or group is unable to participate.

Requests for refunds or transfers must be submitted directly to All In Dance Competition for consideration.

Where an event or competition section is cancelled, any applicable refund or alternative arrangement will be considered in accordance with the entrant’s legal rights.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes, limits or restricts any rights or remedies available under Australian Consumer Law.

B. Competition Eligibility & Sections

5. Age Eligibility: Troupes & Solos

For troupe and solo competitions, all dancers’ ages are calculated as at 1 January of the competition year.

Troupe Age Eligibility: Majority Age Rule

• More than 50% of dancers in a troupe must be within the nominated age division.
• A maximum of two dancers may exceed the nominated age limit by no more than one year each.
• No dancer may exceed the permitted one-year age allowance.
• Younger dancers may compete in an older age division.
• Average age calculations are not used.

For example, in a 10 Years & Under troupe section, a maximum of two dancers may be 11 years old as at 1 January. No dancer aged 12 years or older on that date may compete in that section.

Solo Age Eligibility

Solo competitors must enter the age division corresponding to their individual age as at 1 January of the competition year.

Age Verification

Studios, schools and individual entrants are responsible for providing accurate competitor information.

All In Dance Competition reserves the right to request reasonable proof of age where eligibility requires confirmation.

Incorrect age information may result in an entry being moved to an appropriate division or other action in accordance with the competition rules.

6. School Competition Divisions

School competitions will be organised according to school year levels and the following All In Dance Competition stage divisions, rather than individual dancer ages.

School groups will be classified according to the year levels in which their participating students are enrolled during the competition year.

Students must be enrolled at the school they represent.

Where a routine includes students from more than one school stage, the group will enter the division corresponding to the highest stage represented, unless otherwise approved by All In Dance Competition.

Any other combined-stage or special school sections will be subject to the published competition categories.

7. Troupe Sizes & Section Management

For competition classification purposes, troupe sizes are defined as follows:

• Small Troupe: 4–11 dancers
• Large Troupe: 12 or more dancers

All In Dance Competition does not currently intend to separate small and large troupes into different competitive sections.

However, All In Dance Competition reserves the right to divide sections according to troupe size where entry numbers justify doing so.

All In Dance Competition also reserves the right to combine sections at its discretion where entry numbers are considered insufficient. This may include combining dance styles into a broader competition category, such as Variety.

Where practicable, decisions to divide or combine sections will take into consideration age divisions, dance styles and fairness to competitors.

Where a section combination materially changes the nature of the section originally entered, affected studios or schools will be notified and given the opportunity to accept the revised section or exercise any applicable refund rights.

8. Amateur Participation

All In Dance Competition is intended primarily for amateur dancers and school performers.

C. Competition Scheduling & Performance

9. Competition Scheduling & Program Changes

All In Dance Competition reserves the right to determine and amend the scheduling of competition sections throughout the event.

This includes the order of performances, allocation of sections, session times and placement of age divisions or dance styles within the competition program.

While reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate operational requirements and minimise scheduling conflicts, specific performance times and scheduling requests cannot be guaranteed.

Once the final competition program has been published, competitors may not request changes to their entries or scheduled performances, in accordance with Clause 3.

All In Dance Competition may make changes to the published program where necessary for the efficient and safe operation of the event, including where withdrawals or safety concerns require operational adjustments. Affected entrants will be notified where practicable.

All In Dance Competition also reserves the right to make reasonable changes to event dates, venues or competition arrangements where required due to unforeseen circumstances or operational requirements.

Where practicable, affected entrants will be notified as early as possible.

Any applicable refunds or remedies will be handled in accordance with Australian Consumer Law.

10. Arrival Times & Performance Readiness

Competitors should arrive at least one hour before the scheduled start time of their section.

All dancers must be prepared to perform at least 45 minutes before their scheduled performance time.

The competition may run ahead of schedule due to withdrawals, shortened routines or other program adjustments.

However, All In Dance Competition will not run more than 30 minutes ahead of the published schedule.

Studios, schools and competitors are responsible for monitoring event announcements and ensuring dancers are ready when called.

11. Routine Time Limits

The following maximum routine durations apply:

Routines must not exceed the applicable maximum duration.

12. Performance Space, Stage Entry & Exit

Elevated Stage

The elevated performance stage provides a dancing area measuring 9.5 metres wide × 5 metres deep.

Alternative Ground-Level Dance Floor

For larger troupes and school groups, an alternative dance floor at ground level will also be available.

These competitors may choose to perform on either the elevated stage or the ground-level dance floor.

Studios and schools wishing to use the ground-level dance floor must notify All In Dance Competition by either:

• Nominating the ground-level dance floor option at the time of registration; or
• Submitting a request by email before publication of the final competition program.

Studios and schools are encouraged to consider the available performance space when planning choreography, formations and staging.

Stage Entry & Exit

All competitors, teachers and supervisors must follow directions given by All In Dance Competition staff regarding stage entry and exit, backstage access and movement between performance areas.

Competitors must not enter the performance area until directed by event staff.

13. Music Submission

All music must be submitted in the required format by the deadline communicated by All In Dance Competition.

Studios, schools and competitors are responsible for ensuring that submitted music is accurate, correctly identified and suitable for playback.

Late or missing music may affect a routine’s ability to perform.

The final music submission procedure and any applicable late arrangements will be advised before the event.

14. Prompting & Performance Assistance

Prompting during a performance is not permitted, except for competitors performing in 6 Years & Under age categories.

Teachers and supervisors must follow all backstage access and supervision requirements.

15. Props & Stage Safety

All props must be suitable for the venue and must not create an unreasonable risk to performers, staff or other attendees.

Studios and schools are responsible for arranging the safe placement and prompt removal of their props, in accordance with backstage staff instructions.

Props must not be stored in backstage access areas without approval.

All In Dance Competition reserves the right to refuse props considered unsafe or unsuitable for the venue.

Resin, powders, hairspray or other substances that may create a slipping hazard, damage the stage or affect other competitors must not be applied to dance footwear or used in performance areas.

D. Adjudication & Results

16. Fair & Impartial Adjudication

All In Dance Competition recognises that dance is a subjective art form and that adjudicators may have differing artistic interpretations and preferences.

We are committed to providing a fair, professional and impartial judging environment in which every performance is assessed on its own merits, regardless of studio affiliation, reputation or previous competition results.

Adjudicators are expected to exercise independent professional judgement and apply the published judging criteria consistently.

17. Judging Criteria

Each competition section will be assessed by one appointed adjudicator.

All routines will be assessed using the following five criteria, with a maximum total score of 100 points.

The adjudicator will consider each performance in relation to the dancers’ age division, dance style and the requirements of the relevant section.

Costumes will be considered in relation to their suitability and contribution to the performance. Expensive or elaborate costumes will not automatically attract higher marks.

18. Age-Appropriate Performances

All In Dance Competition is committed to promoting an age-appropriate and respectful performance environment.

Music, choreography, costumes and performance themes should be suitable for the ages of the participating dancers.

Adjudicators may consider age appropriateness as part of the published judging criteria.

Any suspected breach of the competition’s age-appropriate performance standards may be referred to All In Dance Competition management for review.

19. Adjudicator Independence & Conflicts of Interest

All adjudicators are required to disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest before the competition and as new information becomes available.

All In Dance Competition will assess any declared conflicts and determine appropriate measures to maintain the integrity of the judging process.

Where a conflict cannot be appropriately managed, All In Dance Competition reserves the right to replace or reassign an adjudicator.

Adjudicators must not favour or disadvantage competitors based on personal relationships, previous associations, studio reputation or preconceived opinions.

20. Communication with Adjudicators

Competitors, teachers, studio representatives, parents and spectators must not attempt to influence an adjudicator’s decisions or discuss competition scoring and placings with adjudicators during the event.

Any concerns regarding adjudication must be directed to All In Dance Competition management.

21. Results, Equal Placings & Adjudication Decisions

Competition placings will be determined by the final scores awarded by the appointed adjudicator for the relevant competition section.

Equal Placings

Where two or more entries receive the same final score, they will be awarded an equal placing.

Subsequent placings will reflect the number of competitors sharing the previous position.

For example, where two competitors receive equal first place, both will be awarded first place, and the next highest-scoring competitor will be awarded third place.

No additional tiebreaker will be applied.

Adjudication Decisions

All In Dance Competition respects the professional judgement of its appointed adjudicators.

Adjudicators’ artistic decisions are final, and differences of opinion regarding choreography, performance quality or scoring do not constitute grounds for an appeal.

However, All In Dance Competition may review concerns relating to administrative scoring errors, adjudicator misconduct or potential conflicts of interest.

Where an administrative error is confirmed, All In Dance Competition reserves the right to correct the relevant scores or results.

Concerns regarding adjudication must be submitted directly to competition management and will be reviewed as appropriate.

22. Adjudicator Feedback

Adjudicator feedback will be made available to participating studios, schools and individual solo entrants.

Feedback may be provided as written comments on the day of the competition or as audio feedback within one week following the event.

The format of adjudicator feedback will be determined by All In Dance Competition and may vary between events.

E. Event Safety, Supervision & Conduct

23. Child Supervision, Safety & Injury

Dance is a physical activity involving inherent risks, including the possibility of injury.

All competitors are expected to participate within their abilities, use appropriate technique and follow venue and event safety instructions.

Studios, schools, teachers and designated supervisors are responsible for ensuring appropriate preparation and supervision of dancers in their care.

Parents, carers, teachers and designated school or studio supervisors are responsible for ensuring that children in their care have appropriate supervision throughout the event.

Where an authorised studio or school representative is unable to attend, an appropriate replacement supervisor must be arranged and advised to All In Dance Competition.

All replacement representatives must comply with the event’s rules and supervision requirements.

Assistance with personal care or toileting must respect children’s privacy, dignity and safeguarding requirements and must be provided through appropriate authorised arrangements.

All In Dance Competition will take reasonable steps to provide a safe event environment.

Any injury, incident or identified hazard must be reported to event staff as soon as practicable.

Nothing in these conditions excludes legal rights or responsibilities that cannot lawfully be excluded.

24. Dressing Rooms & Changing Areas

All dancers must change in designated dressing rooms or changing areas as allocated or directed by All In Dance Competition and venue staff.

Competitors must respect the privacy of other dancers and follow all instructions relating to the use of these areas.

Dressing Room Access: Troupes & Schools

Dressing rooms are reserved for participating dancers and their authorised teachers or designated supervisors.

Parents, family members and additional support personnel are asked to refrain from entering dressing rooms unless their presence has been specifically authorised by All In Dance Competition.

Exceptions may be arranged where appropriate for accessibility, disability support or safeguarding requirements.

These restrictions are intended to protect dancers’ privacy, maintain appropriate supervision and prevent unnecessary overcrowding.

Cleanliness

All studios, schools and competitors are responsible for keeping their allocated dressing rooms clean and tidy.

Rubbish and personal belongings must be removed before leaving the venue.

Photography & Recording

Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited in all dressing rooms, changing areas and other designated private spaces.

This restriction applies to all competitors, teachers, parents, spectators and attendees.

25. Respectful Behaviour & Conduct

All In Dance Competition, including its staff and volunteers, will not tolerate bullying, harassment, discrimination, abusive language, threatening behaviour or disrespectful conduct towards any competitor, teacher, adjudicator, staff member, volunteer or attendee.

All participants and spectators are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and demonstrate good sportsmanship throughout the event.

All In Dance Competition reserves the right to request that any person engaging in unacceptable behaviour leave the event premises.

Serious or repeated misconduct may result in further action, including removal from the competition, where appropriate.

26. Personal Belongings

Competitors and attendees are responsible for the care and security of their personal belongings, including costumes, shoes, accessories and valuables.

Personal belongings should be clearly identifiable and must be removed from the venue at the conclusion of participation.

All In Dance Competition cannot guarantee the security of unattended items and accepts responsibility for loss or damage only to the extent required by law.

F. Photography, Video & Media

27. Photography, Videography & Media Consent

Official Event Photography & Videography

Official photographers and videographers will be present at All In Dance Competition events.

By entering the competition or attending an event, participants and attendees acknowledge that official photographs and video recordings may be taken.

Subject to applicable consent and privacy requirements, All In Dance Competition may use event photography and videography for promotional purposes across its website, social media channels, advertising and other official platforms.

Anyone who does not consent to the promotional use of their identifiable image must notify All In Dance Competition in writing before the event.

For competitors under 18 years of age, appropriate parent or guardian authorisation must be obtained for the promotional use of identifiable images. The absence of a written objection does not, by itself, establish this authorisation.

Studios and schools are responsible for communicating these requirements to participating families and advising All In Dance Competition of any restrictions.

All In Dance Competition will take reasonable steps to respect notified consent restrictions and will not knowingly publish identifiable promotional images of a child where the required permission has not been obtained.

Performance Photography & Video Recordings

Photography and video recording of performances by parents, teachers, spectators and other attendees is strictly prohibited.

Only photographers and videographers authorised by All In Dance Competition may photograph or record performances.

Official performance photographs and recordings may be offered for purchase by parents, carers and teachers at an additional cost, subject to availability and applicable consent, privacy and copyright requirements.

Details of any available photography and recording packages, including pricing and purchasing arrangements, will be communicated separately.

Unauthorised Photography & Recording

Unauthorised commercial photography, videography, recording, sale or distribution of event footage is not permitted without the prior approval of All In Dance Competition.

All authorised photography and recording must comply with applicable privacy, child-safety and copyright requirements.

G. Admission & Event Access

28. Spectator Admission & Teacher Passes

Spectator Admission

Admission fees are required for spectators attending All In Dance Competition events.

Spectators must purchase the appropriate admission ticket to enter the auditorium or designated audience areas.

Admission arrangements, ticket categories and prices will be published on the All In Dance Competition website and communicated before the event.

All spectators must comply with the applicable venue conditions and event rules.

Complimentary Studio Teacher Admission

Up to two teachers from each participating dance studio may attend the competition free of charge, without purchasing an admission ticket.

Complimentary teacher admission is subject to pre-registration with All In Dance Competition.

Teacher passes are for authorised studio personnel only and are not transferable to general spectators.

Access arrangements for additional studio personnel, studio owners and designated school representatives will be confirmed and communicated before the event.

H. General Provisions

29. Updates to Terms & Conditions

All In Dance Competition reserves the right to review and update these Terms and Conditions from time to time.

Minor administrative updates, corrections and clarifications may be made without individual notice. The most recent version will be available through the official All In Dance Competition website.

Where an amendment materially affects an existing registration or the services to be provided, All In Dance Competition will provide reasonable notice to affected entrants.

Any amendments will be subject to applicable Australian Consumer Law requirements and will not retrospectively remove rights associated with confirmed registrations.