If you’re looking for the best au writing competitions to showcase your talent and boost your writing career, you’re in the right place. Australia hosts a wide range of contests throughout 2025 for emerging and established writers. Whether you write short fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or young adult fiction, these competitions offer chances to win cash prizes, get published, and connect with the writing community. This guide highlights top AU writing competitions, entry rules, deadlines, and prizes to help you find the perfect fit for your work and goals.
Key Takeaways
- Australia offers over 40 major writing competitions annually, with prizes ranging from $200 to $60,000, including The Stella Prize and The Richell Prize.
- Entry fees vary from free competitions like the Bundyi Writing Prize to paid entries up to $65 for international contests.
- Competitions cover all genres, including short stories, poetry, novels, flash fiction, and specialised categories for First Nations and LGBTQIA+ writers.
- Major competitions have closing dates from June through October, with many accepting submissions from both new and established writers.
- Winners receive cash prizes, publication opportunities, mentorship programmes, and industry connections with publishers and agents.
Australia’s thriving literary landscape presents unprecedented opportunities for writers to showcase their talent, advance their careers, and connect with the vibrant writing community. With over 40 major AU writing competitions running annually, Australian writers and international participants can compete for substantial cash prizes, publication opportunities, and career-changing mentorship programmes.
From aspiring writers seeking their first break to established writers looking to expand their reach, these competitions offer pathways to recognition. The diversity of opportunities spans every genre imaginable: short fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, young adult fiction, and specialised categories celebrating First Nations voices and LGBTQIA+ perspectives.
The competition landscape ranges from prestigious awards like The Stella Prize, offering $60,000 annually, to targeted opportunities like flash fiction challenges that push writers to master brevity and impact. Many competitions provide more than just prize money—they offer direct access to literary journals, publishing houses, and industry professionals who can provide the professional development opportunities that talented writers need to thrive.
Writers interested in improving their skills can also benefit from online courses and writing programs that offer course updates and writing tips, helping them to work closely with mentors and editors. These programs often include line edit services to refine manuscripts before submission.
Major Australian Writing Competitions with Significant Prizes
The most prestigious AU writing competitions offer substantial financial rewards and career advancement opportunities that can establish a writer’s reputation within the Australian writing community and beyond.
The Stella Prize stands as Australia’s premier creative writing competition for women and non-binary writers, offering an impressive $60,000 annually. This competition accepts short fiction submissions, creative nonfiction, and poetry, making it accessible to writers across multiple genres. The prize specifically celebrates Australian stories and Australian life, providing a platform for diverse voices to reach national audiences.
The Hazel Rowley Literary Fellowship provides $20,000 specifically for Australian citizens and permanent residents working on biography projects. This specialised competition recognises the importance of biographical writing in preserving Australian stories and cultural heritage. Fellows receive not just financial support but access to research resources and professional networks that prove invaluable for completing significant biographical works.
The Newcastle Poetry Prize offers the largest poetry-specific award at $15,000, plus publication in their annual anthology. This competition has established itself as a cornerstone for Australian writers focusing on poetry, with previous winning entries going on to secure publishing contracts and establish successful writing careers.
The Next Chapter 2026 provides a unique combination of a $15,000 stipend with one-on-one mentorship and industry connections for Australian writers aged 18 and older. This programme recognises that emerging writers need more than just prize money—they need guidance, industry contacts, and professional development to navigate the complex world of publishing.
The Richell Prize delivers $10,000 plus year-long mentoring with a Hachette Australia publisher, specifically for emerging Australia-based adult writers. This competition focuses on adult fiction and represents one of the most direct pathways into traditional publishing, with the mentorship component providing invaluable industry insights.
The Bundyi Writing Prize offers $10,000 with manuscript development specifically for emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers. This free-entry competition celebrates First Nations voices and provides not just financial support but culturally appropriate mentorship and development opportunities.
Competition Categories by Writing Type
Understanding the various categories helps writers identify the most suitable opportunities for their work and style. Each category has distinct requirements, audience expectations, and potential for career advancement.
Short Story Competitions
Short fiction remains one of the most popular and accessible entry points for writers entering competitions. These contests usually require submissions between 1,500 and 5,000 words, allowing writers to balance them with other creative projects.
The Moth Short Story Prize 2025 welcomes international submissions from writers over 16, with stories up to 3,000 words. The €15 entry fee reflects its global reach, and the June deadline provides ample preparation time. This competition has launched numerous writing careers and offers excellent exposure to international literary markets, with shortlisted entries often published in a Schuster anthology.
Write Around the Murray Short Story Competition targets Australian writers, awarding $1,000 AUD for stories up to 3,000 words. The $10 AUD entry fee makes it accessible to new writers, while its regional focus highlights Australian stories and perspectives.
The Lane Cove Literary Awards 2025 offers $2,000 for winning short stories up to 3,000 words. With a $15.50 entry fee, it balances accessibility and substantial rewards. This competition also accepts children’s picture books and poetry, providing opportunities across multiple art forms and an additional category for young writers from Western Sydney.
The 2025 Hope Prize stands out with its $10,000 AUD prize for hopeful original stories up to 5,000 words. The early bird fee of $20 AUD (until June) encourages early submissions, and the October deadline gives writers flexibility for developing longer pieces. Winning entries are published in a Simon & Schuster anthology.
Poetry Competitions
Australian poetry contests range from single-poem entries to collections, providing opportunities for emerging and established voices to gain recognition and publication.
Heroine Women’s Writing Prize accepts single poems up to 3 pages, focusing on the 2025 theme ‘WITCHCRAFT’. This competition encourages experimental approaches and diverse perspectives.
Lane Cove Literary Awards 2025 also includes poetry, awarding $1,500 for submissions. Open to writers aged 16 and older nationwide, it offers young and established poets a valuable platform.
Port Writers 2025 Open Writing Competition targets poetry up to 32 lines, with a $200 prize and $10 entry fee for Australian residents. Its format suits poets working on flash poetry or experimental styles.
Novel and Novella Competitions
Novel contests often request excerpts rather than full manuscripts, acknowledging the significant time investment novels require.
AAWP and SW Novella Prize accept manuscripts up to 5,000 words for prose or 50 lines for poetry, with a $20 entry fee. This hybrid format allows substantial submissions while remaining manageable.
The Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize 2025 focuses on the best first page of an unpublished novel. This competition highlights the importance of strong openings and offers valuable practice for writers honing their craft.
The 2025 Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest covers 10 categories, including general fiction and young adult fiction. The $65 entry fee reflects its extensive industry connections, and winners gain significant exposure to publishers and agents.
Monthly Competition Timeline for 2025
Planning your submissions strategically means knowing when major competitions close and organising your writing schedule around these key deadlines. Many deadlines cluster in certain months, creating natural submission seasons for writers to take advantage of.
June-July 2025
June is one of the busiest months in the Australian writing calendar, with several important competitions closing around the same time. The Bundyi Writing Prize offers free entry for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers, making it a crucial opportunity for First Nations voices. The Moth Short Story Prize charges a €15 entry fee but provides international exposure that can help launch writing careers beyond Australia. Heroine Women’s Writing Prize focuses on women’s voices, with a $15 entry fee and a specific thematic focus.
In July, the deadline for the Write Around the Murray Short Story Competition arrives, with a $10 AUD entry fee making it one of the most affordable paid competitions. This contest highlights Australian stories and offers meaningful prize money to winners.
July also features the State Library of NSW Fellowships deadline, aimed at historical and archival researchers. This fellowship provides access to rare collections and research facilities, invaluable for writers working on historical or creative nonfiction projects.
The month concludes with the Richell Prize, which offers free entry for emerging fiction and non-fiction writers. Combining no entry fee with significant prize money and mentorship, this competition is one of the most attractive opportunities for emerging authors.
August-September 2025
August brings the Pitchable 2025 deadline, with different pricing for Queensland Writers Centre members ($30) and non-members ($50). This structure encourages writers to join professional organisations and engage with the broader writing community.
August also marks the closing of the Lane Cove Literary Awards, which costs $15.50 per entry. The mid-month deadline helps distribute submission preparations across the month, avoiding the common clustering of deadlines that can overwhelm writers.
Additionally, August features a cluster of deadlines, including the 2025 Marjorie Barnard Short Story Award with a $15 entry fee and the free OutStanding LGBTQIA+ Short Story Competition. These options accommodate writers with varying financial situations while celebrating diverse voices.
September wraps up many summer submission periods with competitions such as West of the Moon AFTS Anthology ($10 entry) and Marj Wilke Short Story Award ($15). These contests often focus on specific themes or regional perspectives, providing targeted opportunities for writers whose work aligns with their missions.
Entry Requirements and Eligibility Criteria
Understanding specific requirements prevents disqualification and ensures writers submit their strongest possible work. Most AU writing competitions maintain strict guidelines that reflect both practical publishing considerations and artistic standards.
Age requirements typically begin at 16-18 years old for general competitions, though many competitions include specific categories for high school students and young writers. The flexibility recognises that talented writers emerge at various life stages and that young people’s literature represents a vital component of the literary landscape.
Residency requirements create the most significant variation among competitions. Some prestigious awards, like The Bundyi Writing Prize and The Richell Prize, require Australian residency or citizenship, ensuring these awards specifically support the development of writers. International competitions like The Moth Short Story Prize accept global submissions, providing opportunities for writers to compete on international stages.
Word limits range dramatically based on competition type and genre focus. Flash fiction challenges writers with limits as low as 250 words, demanding precision and impact in minimal space. Short story competitions typically allow 1,500-5,000 words, providing room for character development and plot complexity. Novel competitions may accept excerpts up to 20,000 words, allowing writers to submit substantial portions that demonstrate their full manuscript potential.
Originality requirements are universal—competitions require unpublished, original stories, though definitions of “published” vary. Many competitions allow previous publication in literary journals or small anthologies while excluding work that has appeared in published books or major publications. Writers should carefully review specific definitions to avoid disqualification.
Submission formats typically require PDF or Word documents with specific formatting requirements. Standard manuscript formatting includes double-spacing, 12-point fonts, and specific margin requirements that reflect publishing industry standards. Some competitions specify additional requirements like anonymised submissions or cover letters that provide biographical information separately from the creative work.
Free vs Paid Competition Opportunities
The range from free entry to substantial fees creates opportunities for writers at different financial levels while reflecting the varying resources and prize offerings of different competitions.
Free Entry Competitions
The Bundyi Writing Prize exemplifies the highest level of free entry competition, celebrating First Nations voices with $10,000 prize money and comprehensive manuscript development. The free entry removes financial barriers while the substantial support reflects the competition’s commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers throughout their creative development.
The Richell Prize offers $10,000 plus extensive mentoring for emerging Australia-based fiction writers without any entry fee. This combination of substantial prize money and professional development opportunities makes it one of the most valuable free competitions available, with the mentorship component often proving more valuable than the monetary prize.
UQP Mentorship Prize provides $5,000 plus residency and mentorship specifically for underrepresented writers. The free entry combined with targeted support for marginalised voices demonstrates how competitions can address systemic barriers while providing tangible career advancement opportunities.
The 2025 OutStanding LGBTQIA+ Short Story Competition offers 750-word flash fiction opportunities with online publication for LGBTQIA+ writers. While the prize money may be smaller, the publication opportunity and community-building aspects provide valuable exposure and networking opportunities.
Creative and Cultural Residency at Vaucluse House provides 12-month studio access for NSW-based creatives without entry fees. This residency opportunity offers time, space, and resources that can be invaluable for writers working on major projects.
Paid Entry Competitions with High Returns
The Letter Review Prize charges $15-25 USD entry fees, with winners sharing a $1,000 USD prize pool across multiple categories. The international focus and substantial prize money justify the entry fee while providing exposure to global literary markets.
Lane Cove Literary Awards require $15.50 entry fees but offer prizes up to $2,000 for winning categories. The reasonable entry fee combined with substantial prizes creates good value propositions for writers confident in their work quality.
The 2025 Newcastle Short Story Award charges $22-27.50 entry fees with prizes ranging from $200 to $3,000. The higher entry fee reflects the competition’s prestige and substantial prize offerings, making it worthwhile for writers with strong short fiction portfolios.
The key consideration for paid competitions involves evaluating the entry fee against prize money, publication opportunities, and career advancement potential. Many writers establish annual competition budgets that allow them to enter several paid competitions while maintaining financial sustainability.
Specialised Competition Categories
The evolution toward greater inclusivity has created targeted opportunities that address historical underrepresentation while providing culturally appropriate support and recognition.
First Nations and Indigenous Writers
The Bundyi Writing Prize specifically celebrates Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander people’s voices in adult fiction, providing not just financial recognition but culturally appropriate manuscript development. The competition works with First Nations editors and industry professionals who understand the unique perspectives and challenges facing Indigenous writers.
Meanjin actively encourages submissions from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and marginalised voices throughout the year, providing ongoing opportunities beyond annual competition cycles. This approach recognises that diverse voices need consistent platforms rather than token annual opportunities.
Winners receive manuscript development that goes beyond traditional editing to include cultural mentorship and connections within Indigenous literary communities. This comprehensive support recognises that First Nations writers often need navigation assistance through publishing systems that were not designed with their perspectives in mind.
LGBTQIA+ and Diversity-Focused Competitions
The 2025 OutStanding LGBTQIA+ Short Story Competition provides safe, supportive environments for diverse voices to share their stories. The 750-word flash fiction format challenges writers to create impact within tight constraints while the online publication ensures wide distribution.
UQP Mentorship Prize specifically supports underrepresented authors with financial aid and professional development. The mentorship component addresses the reality that marginalised writers often lack industry connections that can make the difference between publishing success and continued struggle.
These competitions offer publication opportunities and community building within marginalised writing communities, recognising that representation in literature requires both individual recognition and systematic support for underrepresented voices.
Genre-Specific Competitions
West of the Moon AFTS Anthology focuses on fairy tales within Australian contexts, allowing writers to explore traditional storytelling forms through contemporary lenses. The 3,000-word limit provides space for substantial reimagining while the thematic focus creates clear creative parameters.
Not Quite Write Prize for FLESH Fiction covers erotic flash fiction with AU$1,000 prize pools, recognising that genre fiction deserves recognition alongside literary fiction. The flash fiction format challenges writers to create both literary merit and genre satisfaction within tight word counts.
Green Stories Flash Fiction Competition centres on sustainability themes with £300 winner prizes, demonstrating how writing competitions can address contemporary concerns while providing creative outlets. The international scope reflects the global nature of environmental concerns.
These genre-specific opportunities allow writers to develop expertise within particular forms while connecting with readers who specifically seek these types of stories. The specialised focus often creates stronger community connections than general competitions.
Writing Competitions on The Writing Quarter
The Writing Quarter is a great resource for writers looking to find the latest writing competitions, awards, and opportunities. We bring together detailed info on a wide variety of contests—covering everything from short fiction and poetry to creative nonfiction and novel excerpts. You’ll find up-to-date deadlines, entry fees, prize details, and eligibility rules all in one convenient spot, making it easier for you to plan your submissions without the hassle.
Whether you’re just starting out or already established, we highlight competitions that offer cash prizes, chances to get published, and valuable professional development like mentorships and workshops. We also shine a spotlight on inclusive contests that welcome First Nations writers, LGBTQIA+ voices, and other underrepresented communities.
Beyond just competition listings, we provide helpful resources such as writing programs, online courses, and the latest industry news to support writers in honing their craft and navigating the publishing world.
FAQ
What are the most prestigious writing competitions in Australia?
The Stella Prize ($60,000) is the top award for women and non-binary writers, while the Newcastle Poetry Prize ($15,000) leads poetry contests. The Richell Prize offers $10,000 plus a year-long mentoring with Hachette Australia. State Library of NSW Fellowships provide research opportunities with access to rare collections for historical writers and academics.
How much do Australian writing competition entry fees typically cost?
Entry fees range from free (Bundyi Writing Prize, The Richell Prize) to $65 for premium international contests like the Book Pipeline. Most Australian competitions charge $10-30 AUD, with member discounts available, such as for Queensland Writers Centre members year-round.
Can international writers enter Australian writing competitions?
Eligibility varies. Some, like The Moth Short Story Prize, accept global submissions, while major Australian prizes often require residency or citizenship. Always check specific rules before submitting.
What types of writing do Australian competitions typically accept?
Common categories include short stories (1,500-5,000 words), poetry (single poems or collections), novel excerpts (5,000-20,000 words), flash fiction (250-1,000 words), creative nonfiction, and genre-specific works like fairy tales and sustainability themes.
When is the best time to submit to Australian writing competitions?
Deadlines cluster around June, August, and September. Submit early to avoid disqualification. Early bird discounts are offered by some, like the Hope Prize. Year-round submissions are available through journals like Kill Your Darlings and Meanjin.
