The $50,000 prize will be presented for the best work of literature, fiction or non-fiction, published in 2014 by an Australian woman.

The judging panel is: critic and writer Kerryn Goldsworthy (chair); journalist and broadcaster Caroline Baum; writer and lecturer Tony Birch; singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko; and acclaimed author Melissa Lucashenko. Both non-fiction and fiction books by Australian women are eligible for entry. The winning book will be original, excellent and engaging. Books must be first published between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014.