Indigenous dance groups from around Australia will come together in Sydney this weekend for Dance Rites, a national competition outside the Opera House.

Key points: Competitors showcase their dancing outside the Sydney Opera House

Competitors showcase their dancing outside the Sydney Opera House In 2015, there were more than 150 competitors

In 2015, there were more than 150 competitors Dancers came from QLD, NSW and the Torres Strait

The best groups will receive a share of prize money, but every competitor is gaining something far more valuable — a deeper understanding of their culture.

The Sydney Opera House's Indigenous programming director, Rhoda Roberts, said the competition was "a vital opportunity" for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"We're a generation that is facing something that no other Aboriginal generation in history has faced and that is the loss of our song lines with more elders that have passed," Ms Roberts said.

Dance Rites was held for the first time in 2015, with more than 150 competitors from Queensland, New South Wales and the Torres Strait.

This year it will be even bigger.

"For audiences, Dance Rites is something unique," Ms Roberts said.

"You're getting to see dance practices, skin markings, songs and different styles of music from across the country.

"Not everybody had the didgeridoo, others used boomerangs and clap sticks — so you get to see the diversity of dance."

All ages coming together

The winning group will receive $20,000, but competitors are not driven by the money.

Sharon Mason, who leads the Djaadjawan Dancers from Narooma on the NSW south coast, said her group could not wait to take part for the second year.

"Whether you win the competition or not it's just that gathering of all the tribes and all the clan groups coming together," Ms Mason said.

"We get to practice what our old people used to do and keep it going."

Ms Mason said the Djaadjwan Dance group is made up of women aged five to 68, representing four generations.

"I just feel it's important that we all come together like that from an early age to keep our young generations strong so they don't fall into society's loopholes and get side-tracked," she said.

Jasmine Trindall, 17, said she enjoyed dancing with the Djaadjawan group, "because it tells stories and you learn from the stories".

"It makes me feel good that I have a belonging to my land and it makes me connect to my land a lot easier when I feel that I'm traditional," Ms Trindall said.

Dance groups display a diverse range of styles and cultures. ( Supplied: Sydney Opera House )

Dancing empowers Indigenous people

Ms Mason's mother, Lee-Anne Mason, said she felt privileged to be an elder of the group and was looking forward to dancing at the Opera House.

"It makes me feel proud and empowered as an Aboriginal woman," Mrs Mason said.

"To be able to showcase our culture and keep it alive for the future generations is, I suppose, the proudest thing that an Aboriginal person could do.

"In the past our language wasn't allowed to be spoken and it set our communities back, especially our communities that were urbanised, so it's very important that we bring our culture back."

The Dance Rites Competition is a free public event and will be held on the western side of the Opera House on October 9.

"I hope [the audience] feels like they're really welcomed to the land by our welcome dances and they get a lot of knowledge about how Aboriginal people were and still are today," Ms Trindall said.