Rules

Rules

PLEASE NOTE: There have been updates to Challenge Rules 1, 2, 5, 9, 10 and 11 effective for the 2023 Challenge. Please make sure you have familiarised yourself with these rule changes. 

1. The Challenge opens on 27 February 2023. You must complete your online Student Reading Record by 18 August 2023 (11:59 pm) to complete the Challenge. 

2. You must read a certain number of books to complete the Challenge. Please refer to the Booklists page for more information. 

 Challenge level

Total number of books to be read 

 Minimum number of PRC books

Maximum number of Personal Choice books 

Booklists included as PRC book choices 

K-2 

30 

20

10 

K-2, 3-4, 5-6 

 3-4

20

10

10

 3-4, 5-6, 7-9

 5-6

20

10

10

 5-6, 7-9

 7-9

20

10

10

 5-6, 7-9, 9plus

 3-9

20

10

10

 All booklists

3. Books you read after the Challenge closes can count towards the next year's Challenge. 

4a. K-2 and 3-9 challenges: you can read books on your own, read them with someone else, or someone can read them to you.

4b. 3-4, 5-6 and 7-9 challenges: you must read books on your own, but someone can help you choose them. 

5. In an approved series on the PRC booklist, you can read any five books as PRC books. You can read up to ten other books from the same series as Personal Choice books. 

6a. K-2 Challenge: you can read books or have them read to you in your home language.

6b. 3-4, 5-6 and 7-9 Challenges: you must read all PRC books in English. You may read Personal Choice books in your home language.

7a. K-2 students only: if you can read simple chapter books on your own, you can attempt the 3-4 Challenge. You need to get your Student Reading Record changed to Challenge level 3-4. See your PRC coordinator for help with this. 

7b. 3-4, 5-6 and 7-9 students only: students with special needs who would experience difficulty completing the challenge at their grade-appropriate level can take part in the 3-9 Challenge. Students on the 3-9 Challenge level will complete the challenge by reading 20 books from any challenge level (including K-2) with whatever levels of support are appropriate to their needs. PRC coordinators should submit requests for changes to the 3-9 challenge by 31 July. 

7c. For all students: students who experience difficulty completing the challenge due to circumstances outside their control should talk to their PRC coordinator for assistance. PRC coordinators can provide school-based supports and adjustments to meet the needs of their school community as appropriate, and can contact the PRC team for assistance as needed. 

8. 3-4, 5-6, 7-9 students only: If your teacher thinks you need extra help, you can listen to unabridged audio versions of the books as long as you read along.

9. If you complete your online Student Reading Record by 18 August 2023, and it is validated by your school by 1 September (11:59 pm), you will be eligible for a PRC certificate in Term 4. 

10. The certificates you can receive for completing the Challenge are:

Year of completing the challenge  

Certificate awarded 

 First year

 Challenge completion certificate

 Second year

 Challenge completion certificate

 Third year

 Challenge completion certificate

 Fourth year

 Gold certificate

 Fifth year

 Challenge completion certificate

 Sixth year

 Challenge completion certificate

 Seventh year

 Platinum certificate

 Eighth year

 Challenge completion certificate

 Ninth year

 Challenge completion certificate

 Tenth year

 Challenge completion certificate

Every year from Year 3 to Year 9 (inclusive)
OR SRR count of 10 (ten years completing the challenge).
Only Year 9/10 students are eligible
(please see rule 11b below)

 PRC medal

11a. You can only receive one certificate each year.

11b. Students in year 10 are able to participate in the Challenge. If their completion of the Challenge in year 10 makes them eligible for a PRC medal, and they did not receive one in 2022, they will receive their medal in 2023. Students will only receive a medal once - either in year 9 for completing the challenge every year from Year 3 to Year 9, or by achieving an SRR count of 10. 

12. Gold and Platinum certificates will be sent to your school in Term 4 with students' names printed. Your school is responsible for downloading and printing your Challenge Completion Certificate from the PRC website.

13. Your school needs to make sure your parent or carer knows that by entering the Challenge, you may receive a PRC certificate with your name and school printed. The Premier's Reading Challenge no longer lists student names on an Honour Roll, however there may be opportunities for students to be recognised through media publications or through the school's own newsletters and communications. No student names and/or details will be published without prior consent from parents/ carers. 

14a. If you attend a NSW school and your school does not have a PRC coordinator and does not wish to participate in the Challenge, you can take part as an independent student. Your Challenge participation will be managed by the PRC team. You must inform the PRC team of your completion of the challenge by 19 August so that your record can be validated. 

14b. If you are home schooled, you can participate in the PRC once registered with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) or granted an exemption from registration. You must register with the PRC before 31 July.