The $100,000 Prize

The Australian Skeptics will pay $100,000 for proof of extraordinary powers.

Who are we challenging?

Do you have psychic or paranormal powers? We don't mean the illusion or trickery in stage magic, we mean things like extra sensory perception, telepathy, telekinesis, divining for water or metals, clairvoyance and predicting the future. We are challenging such claims and we are also challenging unsubstantiated claims of healing and miracle cures.

Skeptics challenge

The Australian Skeptics challenge people who claim to have extraordinary powers to demonstrate their ability under test conditions. We offer a cash prize of $100,000.

We make this offer because we are unconvinced by claims made by professed psychics and healers. While it would be exciting to find someone with genuine powers our experience has shown that people who make such claims are either self deluded or fraudulent. People who genuinely believe they have psychic or healing powers should be able to demonstrate their ability under test conditions. The first person to convince the Australian Skeptics that they have extraordinary powers will receive a great deal of recognition and prestige as well as the $100,000.

What do you have to do?

Naturally for this amount of money there are a few rules and conditions which apply. If you wish to try for the challenge you should contact us for full details. Briefly, this is what you have to do. You first apply in writing, clearly stating what you are claiming to be able to do. Representatives from the Australian Skeptics will work with you to define a suitable, and mutually agreeable, test procedure and to select an independent umpire. The test will be run by an approved panel of officers of the Australian Skeptics. If you are successful you will be awarded $100,000. The results of this test, whether successful or not, will be published in the Skeptic, the magazine of the Australian Skeptics. The news media may also be invited to witness any tests .

Notes on the challenge

Australian Skeptics is a non-profit organisation so any costs involved have to be borne by the applicant unless we agree to other arrangements.

If you would like to receive more information about the Challenge, please send e-mail to the Challenge Coordinator or contact your local branch. See the Contacts page for email addresses.

The $20,000 Spotter’s Fee

The Australian Skeptics offer a $20,000 spotter’s fee to anyone who nominates a person who successfully completes the Australian Skeptics Challenge. If you know someone who claims to have special powers we encourage you to invite them to accept our challenge by offering you a $20,000 spotter’s fee. You should be very sceptical of people who make claims of having psychic powers but are not willing to be tested.

There's no catch, no hidden agenda.

Since 1980 the Australian Skeptics have offered a cash prize to anyone able to demonstrate a paranormal ability under controlled conditions. Despite several attempts, the money is still available. As of 1 January 1998, $100,000 is the offer. $80,000 will be awarded to anyone who can successfully complete the challenge. $20,000 will be given to the person who introduces the Australian Skeptics to the successful challenger. Someone nominating him/herself will be eligible for the full $100,000.

Each test is tailored for the individual challenger. The challenger must assist with the design of the test in order that their specific ability is being properly tested. The rules are simple:

• The challenger must beat million to one odds against a chance result.
• The test must give a definite yes or no result.
• If the challenger is found to be cheating, the test is terminated.
• Following a successful test, the $80,000 and $20,000 prizes will be paid to the challenger and you, or any person or organisation that either of you may nominate.

Isn't it just a publicity stunt?

It is clear that publicity for the Australian Skeptics is involved, but we are more interested in actually seeing a demonstration of abilities that challenge science. We reserve the right to publicise the existence, method and results of the formal test for the Challenge, but all other media contact is by agreement among the parties involved.

My psychic doesn't want to be tested - is there anything I can do?

Many psychics see themselves as helping the community, and think that accepting money is improper for someone in their position. Others think that the Australian Skeptics aim to ridicule them or their powers. Another fear they might have is that their livelihood might be in jeopardy if they fail the test.

• The prize may be distributed in any way the successful challenger sees fit: to a trust, a charity or some other person. There is no need for the challenger to come in to contact with the money at all if he or she so chooses.
• The money is offered in the genuine hope that we are able to advance the investigation into claims of the paranormal. The Australian Skeptics do not seek to embarrass or ridicule anyone.
• The test protocol is designed with the help of the challenger and, within the controls, is flexible. Only when both the Australian Skeptics and the challenger are satisfied that the test is within the guidelines and can be successfully completed does the test go ahead. During the test an independent umpire is on hand to ensure the protocol is followed. This is a person agreeable to both the challenger and the Skeptics.
• It’s important to remember that as this is a scientific inquiry. A failure to successfully complete the test does not indicate that the power the challenger claims does not exist, it merely indicates that on this particular occasion it was not present, and that it remains unproved.

In short, if the person you nominate does not want to be tested there is little that you can do about it. Given the above, however, you might consider why that might be. If there are other specific concerns about the challenge, call and speak with us. We will do all we can to help.

See also: The British Association for Skeptical Enquiry (ASKE) £12,000 Psychic Challenge