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Out technical page covers the conduct of events such as the rules of orienteering, the process of organising an event in each of our member states/territories, the role of an event controller and punching systems to record your time when on an orienteering course.
Orienteering Australia has two sets of rules that govern the conduct of an orienteering event, for orienteering and mountain bike orienteering. Our competition rules are based on those of the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) adapted for an Australian context. Event rules are annually reviewed and updated by our Technical Committee.
The Technical Committe has a Chair appointed by Orienteering Australia and a representative from each of our member states/territories.
Rules for Orienteering (valid from January 2024
Rule for Mountain Bike Orienteering (valid from April 2023)
An Event Controller is the critical person in guaranteeing the quality of an orienteering event. The ole of an Event Controller is to ensure the quality, safety and technical standards of an orienteering event.
An Event Controller is appointed by Orienteering Australia for all national championships, our National League and IOF World Ranking Events. For all other events the Event Controller is appointed by the organising member state/territory.
Accredited Controllers
For a list of the currently accredited controllers, refer to the document below…
Controllers as of 18th December 2023
For any errors or omissions, please contact the OA Manager, Coaching and Officiating Development at Manager (Coaching and Officiating Development).
For more information on how to become a controller and our controller framework and curriculum, visit our Be a Controller page.
Event management and organisation has many common principles and methods. Each of our member states/territories has subtle variations that is dependent on their own particular requirements. For more information about event management in your state/territory follow the appropriate link below.
Time keeping in Australian orienteering uses the SPORTident system for the overwhelming majority of orienteering events.
The SPORTident system has two main parts: the SI-card (known as the “e-card” or “e-stick”) and the SI-station. The e-card is a plastic stick embedded with a microchip which each competitor wears attached to their finger. The SI-stations are electronic boxes mounted at the Start, at each control and the Finish.
Competitors punch at each control and at the Start and Finish by inserting their e-card in the SI-station. A beep and flashing light on the SI-station indicate that your punch has been registered. Your time is recorded at each control and a printout giving your overall time and “splits” may be obtained at the finish, making it easy to identify controls where you lost time and compare your results with others on your course.
SPORTident Config+ – Software that enables SPORTident equipment you to be configured, read out and updated.
SI Timing – Timing and results software.
OE12 – Timing and results software.
MEOS – Timing and results software.
