Vic Gov Hackathon 2026
Jul 1 - Jul 2

The Department of Government Service and Victorian Public Sector Commission will partner with Cenitex to deliver a VPS Hackathon together. 

What is a hackathon?

A Hackathon is a solutioning challenge bringing people with different capabilities together and providing them with a deliberate space to think differently. Hackathons have many flavours however the goal is to collectively solve a challenge or capture new opportunities over a short 2-day period. 

Participants form teams and with the support of their coaches explore solutions around a nominated theme. To learn more about hackathon teams check out the highlights from 2025. 

At the conclusion of the 2-day period all solutions are presented to a panel of Judges, and the chosen solutions are sponsored for implementation.

Vic Gov Hackathon 2026

Vic Gov Hackathon 2026 convenes participants from across the VPS to work on a small number of cross agency service and workflow challenges.  

Over two days, teams of VPS staff ideate and produce validated ideas solving nominated challenges. Ideas presented feed proposals into existing departmental and governance pathways for implementation.

This innovation booster is an opportunity to connect, build skills and create ideas that make a difference to the Victorian community. 

Themes

This year's theses will tackle real world problems and cross agency challenges or gaps.

What makes a great hackathon team?

Hackathon teams with a unique mix of skills, experience and perspectives can problem solve to create great solutions. Does your skills and experience align to a Hacker, Hipster or Hustler?  

How does it work?

Teams dive into a challenge statement based on one of the 3 themes. 

They use their combined knowledge, experience, and curiosity to develop ideas and present a 3-minute pitch of their solution to a judging panel.

• Participants must commit to attend 1 online team briefing session and 2 days in-person at a venue in the Melbourne CBD on Wednesday 1 July and Thursday 2 July.

Key dates

• 4 May to 1 June (12 June for SLV staff) 2026 - Registrations open to join a team. Note that registering your interest doesn't guarantee you a spot on a team.
• 8 June 2026 - Teams and participants confirmed
• 15 June 2026 - Judges, Coaches and Panels announced
• 22 June 2026 – Briefing session
• 1 and 2 July 2026 In-person at a venue in the Melbourne CBD to be announced
• 2 July Solutions presentation

What's the benefit of participating?

Taking part in the hackathon is an opportunity to:

• collaborate with colleagues from across the VPS
• contribute to solving real cross-agency challenges
• build innovation, teamwork and problem-solving skills
• strengthen your understanding of service and workflow improvement
• help develop ideas that may progress through existing implementation pathways

Never heard of hackathon before? Check out the highlights of one of the previous Hackathons.

• Spark Vision Hackathon 2024 - finale
• Hackathon 2025
• Hackathon 2025 - winners announced

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of something extraordinary.