Action is due to take place at the Erina Ice Arena until November 9, with nine World Curling Federation’s Pacific-Asia members due to take part.

Australia have previously hosted the event in Adelaide and Sydney in 1993 and 1996 respectively.

Japan will seek to defend their men’s title, having won last year’s final 5-3 against China in the South Korean county Uiseong.

They will again face competition from China, along with hosts Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan.

South Korea will hope to make an impression as they prepare to stage the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang next year, while the line-up is completed by New Zealand and Qatar.

Six teams will compete in the women’s competition, with Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan and New Zealand attempting to wrestle the title away from South Korea.

The South Korea squad claimed a 5-2 win over China in last year’s final, marking the fourth time they had won the women’s event.

It followed wins at the 2001, 2010 and 2013 Championships.

Men’s competition will be the focus of the opening day of action, with round robin matches set to take place.

The first full women’s session is due to take place on Friday (November 3).

The top four teams in both the men’s and women’s events will progress to the knock-out stage of the tournament.

Semi-finals will take place on November 8, with the medal matches scheduled to be held the following day.

The medal winning teams will all qualify for the 2018 World Curling Championships, whereas in the past only the top two advanced.

The Women’s Curling Championship will take place in North Bay in the Canadian province Ontario from March 17 to 25 and the men’s will be held from March 31 to April 8 in Las Vegas.