ThinkTank 2026
Apply
Nirajit Syamal speaking to a full lecture theatre of students

We regret to inform you…

Build your
own job.

Apply with a video →

Free · Every major · Sat 14 Nov · Melbourne

How it works

Tap a step

30→15→8→5→3→1

Saturday 14 November · 8am to 7:30pm · Teams cut after every round

A speaker on stage in front of a large audience
Kick-offDoors, keynote, rules
Two young people pitching an idea on a flipchart30 → 15
Round 1What's broken?
A recruiter interviewing a candidate15 → 8
Round 2Face the recruiters
People talking over coffee at a networking break
LunchFood, speakers, results
Four students building around a laptop8 → 5
Round 3Build it
Two people mapping a plan on a whiteboard5 → 3
Round 4Who pays?
A presenter pitching on stage with a microphone3 → 1
The FinalPitch on stage
A group celebrating under falling confetti1 winner
The prize$3,000 on stage

$3,000

To build your own job.AUD to the winning team. You keep your idea. No equity taken.

Tell us why the job market is broken.

  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?

60–90 seconds. Phone camera. One take. No editing, no slides. Start with your name, course and uni. Tap the red button to practise.

0:00/ 1:30
Practice run

Tap record and answer out loud

Practice only. Nothing is recorded.

Send it in 3 moves

Film it60–90 seconds on your phone.
Upload itUnlisted YouTube, Google Drive or Loom. Copy the link.
Paste the linkInto the form with your LinkedIn. About 10 minutes.
How do I get a link to my video?

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.

Check it plays in a private browser window before you submit.

Free to enter.
We pick on:

  • Your LinkedIn
  • What you've done as a student
  • Your video
Open the application form →

Closes Sun 25 Oct, 11:59pm AEDT · 150 places

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 answering a live poll An audience applauding A mentor helping a student team

Dates

  1. Sun 25 OctApplications close
  2. Fri 30 OctYou hear back
  3. Sat 7 NovConfirm your spot
  4. Mon 9 NovMeet your team
  5. Sat 14 NovBuild day
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.
I can't code. Can I still apply?
Yes. Teams mix skills on purpose, and mentors help with no-code tools on the day.
Can I apply with friends?
Apply on your own. We build the teams so you work with people from other majors and unis.
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 →