Graphene　(GR)-semiconductor　composite-based　photocatalytic　systems　have　received　ever-increasing　attention　due　to　the　attractive　possibilities　they　provide　to　alleviate　environmental　and　energy　issues.　Extensive　endeavours　have　been　made　to　construct　high-performance　GR-semiconductor　composite　photocatalysts　for　solar　energy　conversion.　In　this　review,　recent　advances　in　developing　strategies　to　assemble　efficient　GR-semiconductor　composite　photocatalysts　are　highlighted.　These　advances　can　be　mainly　classified　into　three　aspects.　The　first　is　the　optimization　of　individual　components,　including　maximization　of　the　functions　of　graphene　and　optimization　of　the　photoactive　semiconductors.　The　second　is　interface　engineering　between　graphene　and　semiconductors.　The　third　is　the　design　and　optimization　of　GR-semiconductor　composite　photocatalysts　from　a　system-level　consideration.　Finally,　it　is　proposed　that　combining　these　advances　together　with　theoretical　investigations　will　take　us　further　along　the　road　to　advancing　GR-semiconductor　composite-based　photocatalysis.　Truly　smart　GR-semiconductor　composite　photocatalysts　with　robust　structural　and　functional　infrastructure　are　anticipated　to　be　forthcoming.　©　The　Royal　Society　of　Chemistry.