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Nirajit Syamal speaking to a full lecture theatre of students

Getting a job in 2026 is hard

Hack the
job market.

ThinkTank is a free one-day hackathon for uni students in Melbourne. Come solo or bring your team, build a fix for a real job-market problem, and win $3,000 cash.

Apply now →

Sat 14 Nov · Melbourne · Free · Solo or teams of up to 5

What is ThinkTank?

A one-day hackathon to fix the job market.

You and your team pick something that makes getting a job hard, then spend the day building a fix. That evening the best team wins $3,000 cash.

Never been to a hackathon?

A hackathon is a competition where teams get one day to turn an idea into something real: an app, a service, a website or a plan. You don't need to code. Teams mix majors on purpose, and mentors help on the day.

  1. 8:00amArriveYou'll already have met your team on 9 Nov. Get your badge, grab a coffee and settle in.
  2. 9:45amPick a problemSomething broken in the job market that you've lived through.
  3. All dayBuild the fixFive rounds of building, testing and feedback, with breaks and mystery games in between.
  4. 5:30pmPitch & winFinalists pitch on stage. The best team takes $3,000 cash.

Worried about the job market? This is for you.

Come solo or bring your team.

Option 1

Apply solo

Apply on your own and we'll put you in a team of 5 with students from other unis and majors. Good if your friends can't make it, or you want to meet new people.

Option 2

Apply as a team

Already have a crew of 2 to 5? Each person applies with the same team name. If there are fewer than 5 of you, we'll fill the empty spots.

Either way, everyone applies individually with their own 60–90 second video. We review team applications together. Solo applicants meet their team on Mon 9 Nov, before the day.

Agenda

Sat 14 Nov · 8am to 7:30pm · Melbourne

Two breaks plus lunch, and a quiet room that's open all day. Step in whenever you need to recharge. No need to ask.

Nirajit Syamal presenting to a room of students
Kick-offDoors, keynote, rules

Check in at 8:00, keynote and rules at 9:00.

Two young people pitching an idea on a flipchart
Round 1What's broken?

Pick one problem you've lived through. Leave with: the problem, who it hits and your own evidence.

Students chatting around a laptop
BreakCoffee & reset

15 minutes. No games, no pressure.

A recruiter interviewing a candidate
Round 2Face the recruiters

Test your problem and fix with people who hire. Leave with: real feedback to sharpen your idea.

People talking over coffee at a networking break
LunchFood, speakers, results
Four students building around a laptop
Round 3Build it

Turn your idea into an app, service, site or plan. Leave with: something you can show.

Students relaxing during a session
BreakStretch & snack

15 minutes to step away and refuel.

Two people mapping a plan on a whiteboard
Round 4Who pays?

Who funds your fix and keeps it going? Startup, policy, uni program or community service all count. Leave with: a plan to sustain it.

A student thinking during a session
Wind-downBreathe & reflect

A few quiet minutes to look back on what you built and learned, then get pitch-ready.

A student presenting in front of a screen to the room
The FinalPitch on stage

Short pitches, live. Leave with: feedback from judges and the room.

An audience applauding
The prize$3,000 on stage

Then group photos and networking with recruiters until we close at 7:30pm.

$3,000

Cash, to the winning team.AUD. Spend it building your idea. You keep the idea, and no equity is taken.

How to apply

Apply now → Free · Closes Sun 25 Oct, 11:59pm · 150 places
1

Film a 60–90 second video

Tell us why the job market is broken. Phone camera, one take, no editing. Start with your name, course and uni, then answer:

  1. Why do you think the job market is broken?
  2. What didn't uni teach you that you wish it had?
  3. If you could build one thing to fix it, what would it be?

Your video idea is a starting point, not a commitment. On the day, your team picks one problem together in Round 1.

0:00/ 1:30
Practice run

Tap record and answer out loud

Tap the red button to practise. Nothing is recorded.

2

Upload it and copy the link

Use any of these. Make sure anyone with the link can watch it.

YouTube

Upload in the app. Set visibility to Unlisted. Tap Share, then Copy link.

Google Drive

Upload the video. Share, then set General access to Anyone with the link. Copy link.

Loom

Record or upload in Loom. Set it so anyone with the link can view. Copy link.

Open the link in a private browser window to check it plays before you submit.

3

Paste the link into the form

Add your LinkedIn and what you've done as a student. Applying as a team? Put your team name and your teammates' names in the form. It takes about 10 minutes.

How we use your answers: with your permission, we may use your video and Round 1 answers, without your name, in a short insights report on what young people say is broken in the job market. We share it with our knowledge sponsor, the OECD, and back with participants. You can opt out on the form.

Open the application form →

Free to enter.
We pick on:

  • Your video
  • What you've lived through
  • Your LinkedIn & student track record

Your video and your own experience count most. A thin LinkedIn or a short track record is not a dealbreaker.

Key dates

All times Melbourne time (AEDT).

  1. Sunday25 OctApplications close, 11:59pm
  2. Friday30 OctYou hear back by email
  3. Saturday7 NovConfirm your spot
  4. Monday9 NovMeet your team
  5. Saturday14 NovThinkTank day, 8am to 7:30pm

How teams are judged

Every team is scored on the same four things, so you know what to aim for from the first round.

  • The problemIs it specific and real? Do you know who it hurts, and can you back it up with evidence?
  • The fixDoes it work, and does it fit the problem you found?
  • Who paysCan it fund itself or keep going? Startup, policy, uni program or community service.
  • The pitchIs it clear, credible and honest about what comes next?

Who's in the room

Judges, mentors and recruiters from industry and universities are on the floor all day. Mentors help with no-code tools and ideas. Recruiters test your thinking in Round 2 and stay for networking after the final. Names to be announced.

Nirajit Syamal talking with a student after a session
"If you can't find an opportunity, build one."

Nirajit Syamal has run 30+ hackathons and career workshops for students. ThinkTank is founded and funded by him, and free for everyone selected.

Run by Nirajit Syamal · Knowledge sponsor: OECD

Students in a packed lecture theatre A communication workshop in progress Students working together on a laptop Students listening during a session A student thinking during a session A mentor helping a student team
What's a hackathon?
A competition where teams get a short, fixed time (here, one day) to turn an idea into something real, like an app, a service, a website or a plan, and then pitch it to judges. ThinkTank's theme is the job market: every team builds a fix for something that makes getting a job hard.
Who can apply?
18+, studying at an Australian university or TAFE (or graduated in the last two years), living in Australia. Every major. Domestic and international.
Is it really free?
Yes. No entry fee, no ticket fee.
Do I need to code?
No. Teams mix skills on purpose, and mentors help with no-code tools on the day. If you can code, great, but it's not required.
Is there somewhere quiet if I need a break?
Yes. A quiet room is open all day, and you can step in at any time. There are also two short breaks plus lunch, separate from the games.
What if my idea changes on the day?
That's fine. Your video idea is just a starting point. In Round 1 your team picks one problem together, and it can be different from what you applied with.
Can I apply with friends?
Yes. Teams are up to 5 people. Each of you applies with your own video and the same team name in the form. If there are fewer than 5 of you, we fill the spots with other students. You can also apply solo and we'll find you a team.
What are the games?
That's a surprise. Nobody gets knocked out by a game, and nobody has to play or speak if they don't want to.

Apply for a job.
Build one.

Apply now →