Australia's future business leaders will compete in the final of the 2007 University of Newcastle Kip McGrath Education Centres Year 11 Business Planning Competition this week. The state wide competition is designed to facilitate business thinking among high school students.

Program Coordinator Michael Seamer from the University said students were required to select an innovative product or service and develop a business plan.

This year's finalists are Northholm Grammar School, Merewether High School, Lake Illawarra High School and St Marist College Dundas. They will present their plans on Friday 2 November at the Graduate School of Business, Level 3 University House, Cnr King and Auckland Street, Newcastle. There will be opportunities for photos between 12pm and 1pm.