A guide to writing prizes, awards and competitions in 2023
Whatever your writing goals for 2023, you’ll find a range of opportunities in our round-up of literary prizes, competitions, fellowships, calls for submissions and more below—updated weekly!
Subscribe to our weekly e-news for the latest opportunities straight to your inbox, and view a list of Australian and international publications here.
Writing prizes are a great way to give yourself a deadline, build your publication credits, as well offering a financial incentive at any stage of your writing career. Keep an eye on our program of workshops to get you ready to enter your best work.
Please note that inclusion on this page is not an endorsement. Writers should always carefully check terms and conditions for information on fees, rights, and eligibility.
Do you have an opportunity to share? Submit it for review here.
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2023
January
Call for Entries: Back to Basics — Thematic residency in Finland 2023
Back to Basics residency program gives artists the opportunity to clear their mind, get back to focus and (re)discover the very basis of their being. Thematic residency program for artists, writers and creative professionals at Arteles Creative Center in Hämeenkyrö, Finland 1 month periods in May / June / July / August 2023. Deadline to apply: 11 January 2023.
Calibre Essay Prize
ABR welcomes entries in the Calibre Essay Prize, worth $7,500. The Prize is open to all essayists writing in English. We seek essays of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject. Closes 15 January.
Country Arts SA Skills Development Assistance Grants
Grants up to $1,500 are available to support artists and arts workers to participate in professional development opportunities. The grants are fast-turnaround and are intended for those who wish to undertake a time sensitive opportunity. Open 16 January until 30 June.
Submissions for The Saltbush Review
The Saltbush Review seeks submissions of short fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction of up to 3,000 words on the theme of ‘Intersections.’ Work is particularly welcome from regional, emerging and diverse writers. 20th January 2023.
Varuna First Nations Fellowships
Each year, six fellowships are awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers from anywhere in Australia. The fellowship week includes an optional one-on-one mentoring session, and group reading sessions. Writers will also be offered the opportunity to have a discussion with Rachel Bin Salleh, Publisher at Magabala Books in a culturally safe space.The Fellowship includes accommodation and meals at Varuna, as well as a contribution towards your travel expenses. Applications close 20 January.
2023 Kat Muscat Fellowship
Offers professional development up to the value of $5,000 for an editorial project or work of writing by a young person of an underrepresented gender. If your work epitomises the values of defiance, feminism and empathy, you have until January 23 to apply!
Local Word Writing Prize
Submissions of up to 3000 words are welcome from emerging and established writers in prose fiction and creative nonfiction. The winner of the prize will receive a cash prize of $2000, a one-hour mentoring session with a Deakin University writing practitioner, publication on GRLC’s website and announcement in GRLC’s e-newsletter. Entries close at 5.00pm, Saturday 28 January.
Tom Collins Poetry Prize
Poets are invited to submit up to five unpublished pieces for the chance to be recognised among Australia’s most talented poets. The theme is open for poems up to 60 lines each.First prize is $1,000, second is $300, and third is $100. 30 January.
The Masters Review Short Story Award For New Writers
The annual contest for emerging writers, with cash prizes up to $3000, publication online and agency review. Closes 31 January.
The ASA Award Mentorship Program
Open to writers and illustrators, the mentorship offers one-on-one advice, free ASA membership, access to events and services to develop their work to a publishable standard. Closes 31 January.
Positive Words Mini-Competition
Write a short story in 100 words or less, or a poem in ten lines or less using the word POOL at least once. Plural versions are acceptable. The prize is a six-month subscription. *Fee. Enter by 31 January.
ASAL/Copyright Agency Writers’ Fellowships
Two writers’ fellowships worth $3000 each to strengthen connections between writers, readers, students, and scholars of Australian literature. The fellowships include a $3000 honorarium, flights, accommodation, and registration at the ASAL annual conference in Melbourne in July 2023, social media promotion, a profile on the ASAL website, publication of a piece of fiction, nonfiction or poetry in the Journal of the Association for the Study of Australian Literature and a one-year subscription to the Austlit database. Applications close on 31st January.
black&write! Writing Fellowships
Each year the State Library of Queensland’s black&write! offers two fellowships for unpublished manuscripts by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers. The winning Fellows will receive $10,000 prize money, as well as manuscript development with black&write! and publication opportunity with Hachette. Applications close 31 January.
February
Call for submissions: Plumwood Mountain Journal
Plumwood Mountain Journal’s guest editor Kristen Lang is calling for poets willing to reach imaginatively, provocatively, enticingly towards cultural change. Right now, poets and non-poets alike are invited to help build the ideas that will contribute to this issue by reading and contributing to comments at Plumwood Mountain‘s submissions page. Submissions of poetry will be invited via Submittable between 16 December 2022 and 3 February 2023.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, they release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize for the winning author (or authors) includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog. The current prompt is ‘holding on’. 3 February.
2023 Russell Prize for Humour Writing
$10,000 prize open to published works of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and short story collections by Australian writers. The Humour Writing for Young People Award commends works aimed at primary school readers. Entries close 3 February.
The National Biography Award
Celebrating excellence in biography, autobiography and memoir, this is one of the nation’s richest prizes for Australian non-fiction writing. 3 February.
Express Media jobs (Melbourne based)
Express Media are now looking for a Creative Producer and Communications and Administration Coordinator. Find out more and apply by February 3.
un Projects submissions
un Projects are inviting proposals for Issue 17.1 of un Magazine, guest edited by Bahar Sayed and Gemma Weston. This issue will guided by the theme of ‘Resist.’ 6 February.
Regional Arts Fund Project Grants
Individuals or organisations can apply for up to $30,000 for a project, Round 1 2023 will open 6 February.
The Kathleen Mitchell Award
Presented biennially to an author, aged 30 or under, of an outstanding novel or novella to encourage advancement in their literary career. The novel or novella must have been published or accepted for publication within the 2 years prior to the Award closing date. The recipient will receive $15,000. 7 February.
Australia Council Grants
Applications are open for a range of literary grants, covering essay writing, poetry, prose, novel/novella writing and more. There are two awards of $15,000 each and multiple $50,000 travel scholarships on offer. Applications close 7 February.
Galang Residency Program
Powerhouse Parramatta and the Cité internationale des arts have launched the galang residency program, which will support Australia-based First Nations artists and creatives to undertake residencies in Paris, at the Cité internationale des arts. The galang residency is an initiative of Powerhouse Artistic Associate, Wiradjuri artist, writer and curator Dr Brook Garru Andrew and was inspired by the Powerhouse-galang, an international collective of First Nations artists, academics and curators. Two three-month fully supported residencies will be offered between 4 May – 28 July and 3 July – 27 September. Applications close 9 February.
The 20/40 Publishing Prize
20/40 is an exciting new publishing prize for single works of prose fiction and non-fiction, between 20,00 and 40,00 words in length. 20/40 is established by independent, non-profit press Finlay Lloyd. Entries will be assessed blind by a panel of judges with the intention of publishing two winning books each year. Entries will open: 1 January —10 February 2023.
SHE of Mind and Body Writing Competition
Currently seeking written works for inclusion in the SHE exhibition catalogue. Submit up to 500 words for a chance to win $1,000 prize. February 7.
The 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Open to all indie book authors and publishers including independent publishers, university presses, self-published authors, e-book authors, seasoned authors and first time authors who have a book published with a 2021, 2022 or 2023 copyright date. *Fee. February 10.
Stringybark Open Short Story Award 2023
Our annual flagship competition, the Stringybark Stories Open Short Story Award 2023, is now bigger than ever! Thanks to Graeme Simpson and Anne Buist, a record prize pool of over $1300 is on offer. The theme is open, the only constraint is that there must be a reference to Australia somewhere in the story. It doesn’t matter how small a link there is (it could be a jar of vegemite on the counter), there just needs to be one! 1500 words. Entry fee. 12 February 2023.
Speculative Fiction Festival 2023
Writing NSW’s Speculative Fiction Festival returns on 24 June and is calling for submissions from both established and new voices who are keen to share insights and discuss all aspects of the genre. Submissions close 13 February.
Tasmanian Writers’ Prize 2023
Open to citizens/permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand, the prize is for short stories up to 3,000 words having an island, or island-resonant, theme. The winner will receive a cash prize of $500 and publication in Forty South Tasmania (online). A selection of the best entries will be published in the Forty South Short Story Anthology 2023. February 14.
Australian Book Industry Awards
The ABIA award ceremony is Australia’s book industry’s night of nights. Nominations are open from Thursday 19 January 2023 – Wednesday 15 February.
Voices of Women annual writing competition
Now inviting submissions of all unpublished short monologues and narratives written in the first person by Australian and United States writers with the theme ’embellishment’. Winners receive $100, performance, and publication on the website. February 18.
ATYP Youth Advisory Body
Australia Theatre for Young People (ATYP) is inviting 50 young people aged 13 to 26 from all over Australia to join its advisory body, YABbies. In 2023, the YABbies will get to review professional and indie theatre productions, provide input and suggestions around ATYP’s programs and offerings, learn about the governance of ATYP, attend Q&A sessions with creative teams and more. Applications close 20 February.
The Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing + Steph Bowe Mentorship
Awarded annually to the best manuscript written for young readers, the $10,000 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing aims to discover incredible new books by exciting authors. The Steph Bowe Mentorship for Young Writers is an initiative designed to nurture and encourage an exciting new writer in Australian children’s literature under the age of 25. Entries for both are open until 4 pm on Monday 20 February.
The Writer’s Lab: SA Program
The Music Writer’s Lab is a critical music journalism mentorship program, where 4 emerging writers will work with a team of established Australian music journalists and industry figures.
The program centres around mentoring and professional development workshops.
Participants will have their piece (whether it be live review, artist profile or industry op-ed feature) based on live performances at WOMADelaide during a 4-day workshop, published by The Note. 22 February.
Oodgeroo Noonuccal Indigenous Poetry Prize
Queensland Poetry presents Australia’s only open-age prize for an unpublished poem by an Indigenous writer. 26 February.
Charles Perkins Centre Writer in Residence 2023: EOIs open
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open for the Judy Harris Writer in Residence Fellowship at the Charles Perkins Centre 2023. The year-long Fellowship offers a generous stipend of $100k for an established Australian creative writer to collaborate with CPC researchers to begin a creative work relating to issues around health. Closing 11:30pm Monday 27 February 2023
Book Link Awards for Children’s Historical Fiction
Book Links celebrates outstanding work of children’s historical fiction. The award is a prize of $1000. Entries close 28 February.
Minds Shine Bright Writing Competition Confidence 2023
Now calling for entries of short stories, short scripts, flash fiction and poetry which explore the theme of confidence. Prizes: $1600 overall winner; $800 for each category winners: short stories, short scripts, flash fiction and poetry; $175 for each commended entry. Entry fee $5. Winning and commended entries will be published in an anthology. The competition is blind judged. 28 February 2023.
City of Port Adelaide Enfield Living Landscapes Writing Competition
Submit your best short stories about our natural environment! The Living Landscapes Writing Competition highlights the importance of nature writing and its ability to enable us to see the natural world anew. Write and share your story that celebrates our rich and diverse region; the tapestry of coastlines, dunes, rivers, wetlands, mangroves, parks and reserves in the City of PAE.
Junior Writer (up to 12 years) – $200 book voucher
Teen Writer (13 to 20 years) – $500 prize plus a Writers SA membership
Adult Writer (20+ years) – $500 prize plus a Writers SA membership and Port Environment Centre membership. **entries extended, now closing 5pm 28 February.
Country Arts SA Quick Response Grants
Up to $3000 for Individuals; Up to $5000 for Organisations/Community Groups. Grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports immediate need that arises. Open 10 times each year during the following months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Applications must be submitted by 11:29pm (ACST) on the last day of each month.

Audience at the Arts SA Ruby Awards
March
Growing Up Indian in Australia: Call for submissions
Black Inc. is excited to announce that submissions are open for Growing Up Indian in Australia, a new anthology, edited by Aarti Betigeri. March 1.
Carclew’s Project & Development grants for individuals
Carclew offers grants to early career artists aged 26 years or under, for arts projects with a tangible outcome and/or skills and career development. Project & Development grants for individuals provide up to $10,000 and are offered twice per year for activity occurring in the following six months. Closing 1 March.
Churchill Fellowships
The fellowships offer a diverse range of people from all walks of life an opportunity to travel overseas for four to eight weeks to explore a topic or issue that they are passionate about. Applications open 1 March.
RSPB and The Rialto Nature and Place Competition
The RSPB and The Rialto are additionally working with BirdLife International, the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and the University of Leeds Poetry Centre. There’s a fantastic range of prizes on offer and prizewinners will be invited to read their poems at an event with Ian McMillan at CCI in June 2023. 1st PRIZE £1000. 2nd PRIZE £500. 3rd PRIZE £250. Judge is celebrated poet Ian McMillan. Closing date is midnight on 1 March.
Mulga Bill Writing Award
Goldfields Libraries and Eaglehawk Festivals Inc. are calling for entries from writers all over Australia for the annual Mulga Bill Writing Award. Writers are encouraged to take inspiration from the theme ‘gold’, and submit a poem (max. 25 lines) or short story (max. 2000 words). Writers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to apply. Entry fee is $5. Entries close Friday 3 March.
Adelaide Writers Week YA Microstory
Calling all young writers (18 years old or younger)! The AWW YA Microstory Competition will run again in 2023. Stories should be 50 words or less on the theme Truth Be Told. Entries close 4 March.
SCWC Poetry Award
The SCWC Poetry Award 2023 seeks poems responding to the theme ‘in colour’. The winning entries will be published in the South Coast Writers Centre’s 2023 Anthology as well as receive cash prizes. Closing 5 March.
KYD New Australian Fiction
Submissions for New Australian Fiction 2023 annual anthology, will open on Monday 30 January. KYD encourages writers from diverse backgrounds and all levels of experience to submit to the short story collection. Closing 5 March.
Liminal Review of Books
Liminal magazine are seeking pitches for The Liminal Review of Books, send your pitch before 6 March.
GREENHOUSE: NATIONAL ARTIST RESIDENCY
GreenHouse: National Artist Residency is an immersive, residential creative development program for live performance-makers from across Australia. March 6.
Australia Council Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups Grants
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences. Grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000. Closing 7 March.
Island Magazine submissions
Island Mag is seeking new fiction and non-fiction content around 1500 words. Experimental and literary approaches to form and content are welcomed. 9 March.
Jennifer Burbidge Short Story Award
Accepting stories, fiction or non-fiction, on the theme of disability. Stories must be up to 3000 words. Open to all writers in Australia. Entry is $15. The winners will receive $500 first prize, $250 runner-up. Submissions close 10 March.
Peter Carey Short Story Award
The Peter Carey Short Story Award is back for 2023, opening for entries on January 30 and closing on March 16. The award is for stories between 2000 – 3000 words and is open to all Australian residents. Entry is $15 per story. The winning entry receives $2000 and the runner-up $1000. First and second prized stories will also be published in Meanjin. Longlisted entries will be judged by Anne Casey-Hardy, author of Cautionary Tales For Excitable Girls. Closing 16 March.
Sunspot Lit Submissions
Sunspot Lit’s calls for longform, standard length, and flash fiction, CNF, graphic novels and poetry are closing in 16 March.
The Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year
The awards aim to promote children’s books as literacy tools, as well as raising awareness of the role of speech pathologists play in helping children develop language and literacy skills. 17 March.
The Daisy Utemorrah Award
Open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers currently living in Australia. This annual award is presented to an Indigenous writer for an unpublished manuscript of junior or YA fiction. The winner receives $15,000 and a publishing contract with Magabala Books. Closes 30 March.
The Sheila Malady Short Story Competition
The competition invites wordsmiths to be inspired by the words of William Shakespeare with original work of 2000 words or less to the prompt “two’s company”. Cash prize. *Fee. Closes 31 March.
Best Australian Science Writing and the UNSW Press Bragg Prize for Science Writing 2023
Entries are now open for writers to submit their pieces for consideration in The Best Australian Science Writing and the UNSW Press Bragg Prize for Science Writing. Pieces must have been published in print or online in Australia or globally between 1 January 2022 and 31 March 2023. Closes 31 March.
The Caterpillar Poetry Prize
The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an annual prize for an unpublished poem written by an adult for children aged 7–11. Closes 31 March.
Crawling Anthology
Submissions are now welcome for Hear Us Scream press’s debut short story collection: CRAWLING. They are looking for sub-dermal body horror about terrors lurking under the skin: infestations and transformations with an emphasis on the embodied experience. March 31.
Helberg Writer-in-Residence
Applications have opened for the 12-week Hedberg Writer-In-Residence at the University of Tasmania. This includes a $20,000 living allowance and $10,000 worth of university-provided accommodation. March 31.
The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award
An annual grant of $2,000 for an emerging writer of color. This grant is intended to support the recipient in crime fiction writing and career development activities. The grantee may choose to use the grant for activities that include workshops, seminars, conferences, retreats, online courses, and research activities required for completion of the work. The 2023 Submissions will be open February 1 – March 31.
Furious Fiction
On the first Friday of a new season (March, June, September, December), you are invited to submit a short story up to 500 words and be in the running to win $500.
Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowship
The Fellowship allows creatives to travel south to experience Antarctica, the sub-Antarctic and the Southern Ocean and Australia’s activities there, so that they can communicate these unique first-hand experiences, insights and understanding to others. Arts Fellowship expressions of interest generally open in March each year.
Country Arts SA Quick Response Grants
Up to $3000 for Individuals; Up to $5000 for Organisations/Community Groups. Grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports immediate need that arises. Open 10 times each year during the following months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Applications must be submitted by 11:29pm (ACST) on the last day of each month.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly prize for authors Australia-wide. Each month, we challenge authors to respond to our current prompt in 1500 words or less. The prize for the winning author/s includes gift vouchers and publication of the winning entry/ies on the Wakefield Press blog. The current prompt is ‘reading the tea leaves’. March 31.
April
Deep Creek Residency
Matilda Bookshop, in partnership with Writers SA and Ultimo Press, offer a residency fellowship to a SA writer, providing a travel subsidy, 7 nights’ accommodation, mentorship, and consultation/assessment with Ultimo Press. Applications will open Wednesday February 1st, 2023, and must be submitted by 11:59pm 1 April.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, they release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize for the winning author (or authors) includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog.
Penguin Random House Australia Write It Fellowship
The Fellowship aspires to find, nurture and develop unpublished writers across all genres with a focus on under-represented sections of our community, such as writers from socio-economically marginalised backgrounds, LGBTQIA+, First Nations, CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) or writers with a disability. Recipients will be mentored by a PRH AU editor to work on their manuscript, participate in an Open Day at PRH AU and will receive a $2,000 stipend. April 3.
OPEN BOOK: AUSTRALIAN PUBLISHING INTERNSHIPS
The program aims to foster cultural and linguistic diversity in the Australian publishing industry, offering paid internships in Sydney and Melbourne. Of the positions, one is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identified role.The Sydney hosts are Allen & Unwin and HarperCollins, and the Melbourne hosts are Hardie Grant, Oxford University Press, Scribe Publications and Thames & Hudson. 3 April.
AusCo International Travel Fund for Authors and Illustrators
Individuals or international literary organisations may apply to support authors and illustrators to travel to attend events and activities associated with publication and promotion of their work in international markets. 4 April.
Griffith Review
Griffith Review are looking for fiction and non-fiction that addresses the question asked by Issue 81, around the theme of the leisure principle more submission details and criteria can be found on their website. 9 April.
First Nations Writers’ Fellowship
The JM Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice First Nations Fellowships support the production of new work by First Nations artists, to be awarded to creative writers/storytellers and musicians, beginning with a writer in 2023. The Fellowship comprises $10,000 for creative development of a project, and office space at the Centre. 16 April.
Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize
Any style or genre are welcome, up to under 2000 words, shortlisted authors published in paid anthology and considered for publication elsewhere. The winner gets a stay in the Civitella Ranieri residency and a manuscript assessment, also offers runner-up prizes. April 16.
AIATSIS Summit Sponsored Delegates
Sponsorship funding is available to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to attend the Summit as speakers, facilitators and delegates. Applications close on 14 April.
ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
Open to original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words. 1st prize: $6,000 2nd prize: $4,000 3rd prize: $2,500. Closes 24 April.
Copyright Agency Cultural Fund
A range of grants are offered for Australian writers, the application details and dates ate uploaded throughout the year, with the first round closing 24 April.
Australian Poetry Anne Elder Award
Poetry books Books published between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 are eligible for entry into the award, valued at $1,000. 24 April.
Bristol Short Story Competition
An annual international writing competition open worldwide. Stories must be previously unpublished and can be on any theme or subject. Closes 26 April.
Furphy Short Story Competition
Enter short fiction (to 5000 words) to the theme Australian Life in all its diversity. 1st Prize – $15,000, 2nd Prize – $3,000, 3rd Prize – $2,000 and publication. Closes 30 April.
The Best of Times Short Story Competition #35: Autumn 2023
Genre: Humorous short stories up to 2,500 words.
Prizes for first, second and third place.
Certificates for highly commended and commended stories.
All stories that receive a prize or certificate will be published in an e-book.
Entry fee $10 per story. 30 April.
Peter Cowan 600 word Short Story Competition
Open theme short story competition. Maximum 600 words. Open, Novice and Youth categories. Usually runs March–April.
Country Arts SA Quick Response Grants
Up to $3000 for Individuals; Up to $5000 for Organisations/Community Groups. Grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports immediate need that arises. Open 10 times each year during the following months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Applications must be submitted by 11:29pm (ACST) on the last day of each month.

2022 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards ceremony
May
World Voice Day 2023 project ‘Illuminate – Creative Writing/Visual Arts proposal
We invite your members to participate in our World Voice Day 2023 project ‘Illuminate’. By doing so, you will help us to shine a light on chronic, life changing voice disorders. 1 May 2023.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, they release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize for the winning author (or authors) includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog.
Questions Writing Prize
Part of the Future Leaders initiative, the prize recognises a young Australian writer aged 18-30. Fiction and non-fiction submissions 1,500-2,000 words, with a $2,000 prize. Closes 1 May.
World Voice Day 2023 project ‘Illuminate – Creative Writing/Visual Arts proposal
We invite your members to participate in our World Voice Day 2023 project ‘Illuminate’. By doing so, you will help us to shine a light on chronic, life changing voice disorders. 1 May 2023.
Fall into Focus – residency program in Finland, Fall 2023
Residency program for writers, artists and researchers, Periods: 1 or 2 months (29 days/period).
When: September / October / November 2023. Where: Arteles Creative Center, Hämeenkyrö, Finland
. Fall into Focus is an international residency program for writers, artists and researchers who want to concentrate on their writing, creative practice or research. Apply by 3 May.
Laura Literary Awards
Entries are now open. Open Prose, Poetry and Bush Poetry Winners Prize is $200. Entry Fee of $10 is required for open entries. There are separate sections for young adults, primary and junior primary age children. No fee is required for students. 12 May.
Catherine Martin Literary Award
Now invites young writers aged 10-18 to enter, with a short story, theme TBC. Part of the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival. Cash prizes. Entries close 12 May.
2023 About Kids Book Short Story Prize
Celebrating excellence in short story writing by adults writing for children. Stories must be for children aged 8 to 11 years. The word limit is 1,500 words. 22 May.
The Inaugural About Kids Books Short Story Prize
The 2023 About Kids Book Short Story Prize celebrates excellence in Short Story writing by adults writing for children and fills a gap in the children’s international literature award landscape.
Stories must be for children aged 8 to 11 years. The word limit is 1,500 words. 22 May.
The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award
One of Australia’s richest and the most prestigious award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of 35. Offering prize money of $20,000 plus publication by Allen & Unwin, the Award has launched the careers of some of Australia’s most successful writers, including Tim Winton, Kate Grenville, Gillian Mears, Brian Castro, Mandy Sayer and Andrew McGahan. Closing 31 May.
Davitt Awards
Sisters in Crime Australia’s Davitt Awards for the best crime and mystery books (and published in 2022) by Australian women, usually closes in May.
Country Arts SA Quick Response Grants
Up to $3000 for Individuals; Up to $5000 for Organisations/Community Groups. Grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports immediate need that arises. Open 10 times each year during the following months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Applications must be submitted by 11:29pm (ACST) on the last day of each month.
June
Kyogle Writers Festival Poetry Competition
With a new beginning for Kyogle Readers and Writers in 2023 ‘BEGINNING’ is the theme of this year’s Poetry Competition. Entries to the competition should, in some way, address this theme. Entries may be any style of poem, to a maximum of 35 lines, excluding the Title. Total prize money = $500. Judging will be by a panel of local poets. Winning entries will be announced at Literary Allsorts, presented by Kyogle Readers and Writers on Saturday June 3.
Country Arts SA Skills Development Assistance Grants
Grants up to $1,500 are available to support artists and arts workers to participate in professional development opportunities. The grants are fast-turnaround and are intended for those who wish to undertake a time sensitive opportunity. Open 16 January until 30 June.
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
Australia’s largest and oldest poetry competition for primary and secondary school students. Submit poems with an optional theme ‘the winding road’. Cash prizes, trophies and prize packs, with several categories. *Entry fee. View PDF with details here. By June 30.
Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize
Exceptionally international in scope, the prize supports writers who have not yet published a book-length work, with no limits on age, gender, nationality, or background. The winners of each category (Fiction, Life Writing and Poetry) will receive a £1,000 cash prize and publication, and will be published in Wasafiri’s print magazine. Shortlisted writers will have their work published on Wasafiri’s website. 30 June.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, they release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize for the winning author (or authors) includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog.
Furious Fiction
On the first Friday of a new season (March, June, September, December), you are invited to submit a short story up to 500 words and be in the running to win $500.
Country Arts SA Quick Response Grants
Up to $3000 for Individuals; Up to $5000 for Organisations/Community Groups. Grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports immediate need that arises. Open 10 times each year during the following months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Applications must be submitted by 11:29pm (ACST) on the last day of each month.
July
Country Arts SA Quick Response Grants
Up to $3000 for Individuals; Up to $5000 for Organisations/Community Groups. Grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports immediate need that arises. Open 10 times each year during the following months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Applications must be submitted by 11:29pm (ACST) on the last day of each month.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, they release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize for the winning author (or authors) includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog.
TCK Publishing Poetry Contest
Each year’s prizewinner receives a $1,000 honorarium and publication of their poem on the TCK Publishing website. Any writer (regardless of who your publisher is or if your work has been previously published) may submit up to five poems totaling no more than 500 words for an entry fee of $5. June 30.
August
Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Writing Competition
Submit a short story to the theme ‘detour/s’. First prize $250AU Hawkeye Publishing gift voucher and anthology cover based on the winner’s story, top 40 are published. *Entry fee. Closes 1 August.
Aesthetica Creative Writing Award
An international literary prize that is a hotbed for new talent in poetry and short fiction. Each winner is awarded with £2,500 as well as publication. Closes 31 August.
Country Arts SA Quick Response Grants
Up to $3000 for Individuals; Up to $5000 for Organisations/Community Groups. Grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports immediate need that arises. Open 10 times each year during the following months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Applications must be submitted by 11:29pm (ACST) on the last day of each month.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, they release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize for the winning author (or authors) includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog.
Woollahra Digital Literary Award
Are you a writer publishing in digital form? The Woollahra Digital Literary Award supports innovation in Australian literature and celebrates the best contemporary, forward-looking writers and publishers. Award categories include Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry and Digital Innovation for a total prize pool of $7,500. All submissions must be published online in the first instance. Usually closes in August.
Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards
Enter now for your chance to contest the single most valuable literary prize in the country, with prizes for Fiction, Non-Fiction, Drama, Poetry, Award for Indigenous Writing and Writing for Young Adults – each receive $25,000. The winner of the Award for an Unpublished Manuscript receives $15,000. The winners of the six main suite categories go on to contest the overall Victorian Prize for Literature, worth an additional $100,000. Usually closes August.
Walkley Awards
The Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism recognise and reward the best in the craft. Usually closes in August.
Sisters in Crime’s Scarlet Stiletto Awards
Cash prizes for the best crime short stories by Australian women. Maximum length: 5000 words. $12,365 in prizes on offer. The 29th awards usually close August.
September
Furious Fiction
On the first Friday of a new season (March, June, September, December), you are invited to submit a short story up to 500 words and be in the running to win $500.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, they release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize for the winning author (or authors) includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog.
Carclew’s Project & Development grants for individuals
Carclew offers grants to early career artists aged 26 years or under, for arts projects with a tangible outcome and/or skills and career development. Project & Development grants for individuals provide up to $10,000 and are offered twice per year for activity occurring in the following six months. Closing 1 September.
POEM FOREST
A free nature writing prize that breathes life back into the natural world that sustains us. Created by Red Room Poetry, in partnership with Wollongong City Council, POEM FOREST invites students and teachers to use their words to make positive climate action. For every nature poem received a tree is planted to help heal habitats and create a POEM FOREST for future generations. Since 2021, over 10,700 poem trees have been planted. All POEM FOREST Prize entries are published in our digital library and have the chance to win $5,000 in prizes, including $500 cash for each category, book packs, garden tours, plants, journals and more. Entries are now open, closing Friday 22 September 2023.
Story Unlikely open for submissions
Seeking short stories of all genres (fiction and nonfiction). 8 cents a word (cap payment at $150), though we do accept stories up to 10k in length. Reprints are 1 cent a word capped at $50. All published stories are professionally illustrated and no submission fee. Submission period runs from 2 January through 29 September.
Magabala Books Fellowship and Scholarship
The Fellowship, worth $10,000 is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers is intended to provide valuable time for a mid-career author to work on a current manuscript. The scholarships support professional development relating to writing, illustration and storytelling, and are open to both emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers, artists, illustrators and storytellers. The next round of applications open in September 2023.
Country Arts SA Quick Response Grants
Up to $3000 for Individuals; Up to $5000 for Organisations/Community Groups. Grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports immediate need that arises. Open 10 times each year during the following months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Applications must be submitted by 11:29pm (ACST) on the last day of each month.
October
Woorilla Poetry Prize
Be part of a highly recognised poetry competition that has assisted poets for over 30 years. Enjoy the opportunity to win cash prizes and have your work published in multiple categories. Closes 1 October.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, they release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize for the winning author (or authors) includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog.
Country Arts SA Quick Response Grants
Up to $3000 for Individuals; Up to $5000 for Organisations/Community Groups. Grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports immediate need that arises. Open 10 times each year during the following months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Applications must be submitted by 11:29pm (ACST) on the last day of each month.
NSW Premier’s Literary Awards
The annual awards are the richest and longest running state-based literary awards in Australia, covering all genres of writing. Usually closes in October.
November
Miles Franklin Literary Award
One of Australia’s most prestigious literature prizes, the 2022 Miles Franklin accepts applications from publishers typically through October and November.
Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize ($6500)
Overland’s prize seeking short fiction of up to 3000 words themed around the notion of ‘travel’; open to all writers, nationally and internationally, at any stage of their writing career. The winning story will receive a $5000 first prize and be published in Overland’. Usually closes November.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, they release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize for the winning author (or authors) includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog.
Judith Wright Poetry Prize ($9000)
The Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging Poets seeks outstanding poetry by writers who have published no more than one collection of poems under their own name. It remains one of the richest prizes for emerging poets, and is open to poets anywhere in the world. The major prize is $6000, with a second prize of $2000 and a third prize of $1000. Usually closes November.
Nakata Brophy Short Fiction and Poetry Prize for Young Indigenous Writers
First place is a $5000 prize, publication in Overland’s print magazine, and a writing residency (of up to three months) at Trinity College. Usually closes November.
Commonwealth Short Story Prize
The prize is free to enter and open to any citizen of a Commonwealth country who is aged 18 and over. It is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000–5,000 words). Regional winners each receive £2,500 and the opportunity to be published online by Granta magazine, and the overall winner receives £5,000. A free prize for unpublished short fiction, open to any citizen of a Commonwealth country. Translations or entries in languages other than English are also accepted. Usually closes November.
The Stella Prize
The Stella Prize awards the best book by an Australian woman, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry with $50,000. Nominations usually open November.
CBCA Book of the year awards
The annual Children’s Book Council of Australia awards aim to promote and celebrate quality literature for young Australians and support a wide range of Australian writers and illustrators of children’s books. Entries are open March–November.
Country Arts SA Quick Response Grants
Up to $3000 for Individuals; Up to $5000 for Organisations/Community Groups. Grants will fund professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers or small project opportunities. The program supports immediate need that arises. Open 10 times each year during the following months: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. Applications must be submitted by 11:29pm (ACST) on the last day of each month.
December
Furious Fiction
On the first Friday of a new season (March, June, September, December), you are invited to submit a short story up to 500 words and be in the running to win $500.
The Wakefield Weekly Writing Competition
An exciting monthly challenge for authors Australia-wide. Each month, they release a new prompt for authors to respond to. The prize for the winning author (or authors) includes gift vouchers and the publication of winning entries on the Wakefield Press blog.
Australia Council Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups Grants
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences. Grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000. Closing 5 December.

Novelist Gail Jones wins the Fiction Award, Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature. Via State Library of South Australia.