Awards & Prizes of $1,000 and over

If you wish to list a major prize or award over $1,000 in value, please check the format and word length below and email the details to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Closing dates are listed in bold in the heading and entries are in date order. You'll find our most recent postings show the closing date in red (so if you're a regular visitor, please scroll down the page), while the closing dates for our older postings will be in black ...

June 28: 2013 Walkley Book Award
First round entries for this year's Walkley Book Award are now open. The 2013 Walkley Book Award will acknowledge the work produced by an Australian journalist or writer, published in the year from September 1, 2012 to August 30, 2013.

June 28, 2013: 2014 Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature
Nominations for the 2014 Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature are open, with a prize pool of $165,000 on offer in one of the nation's richest and most competitive literary prizes. Held every two years, the 2014 Literature Awards feature a $15,000 increase in the prestigious Premier's Award to $25,000. That makes it one of the most valuable prizes for this category in Australia. For details of the six National and three State Awards, plus the two State Fellowships, please go here.

June 30: Australian Catholic University Prize for Literature
Australian Catholic University (ACU) has announced the inaugural ACU Prize for Literature, valued at $7000. The ACU Prize for Literature aims to support writers and to continue the tradition of the Catholic Church as a key patron of the arts. Each year will have a nominated theme and form of writing. The 2013 prize will be awarded to the poet who best conveys everyday immanence.

June 30: Lightship International Writing Prizes
Competitions include: First Chapter Prize, Poetry Prize, Short Memoir Prize, One Page Prize, First Act Prize, Flash Fiction Prize. Details for all competitions via the above link.

June 30: Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize
This annual prize, valued at $2000, is now open for entries. Visit the University of Southern Queensland website via the above link for details.

June 30: 2013 The Cowley Literary Award
The award comprises of two sections, fiction and non-fiction. There is no subject theme. Prize money for best story $4,000 and runner up $1,000. Submissions can be from any country by writers of any age. Stories are to be a maximum of 4,000 words. Entry fees are $20AUD for each story. Details and entry form above.

July 1 – August 20: Finch Memoir Prize 2014 
Entries will be open between the above dates for the Finch Memoir Prize. The prize of $10,000 and publication is awarded by an independent panel of judges to the best unpublished life story or memoir submitted. The competition is open to previously published and unpublished writers as well as to agented writers. $30 entry fee; the entry form and terms and conditions are available vial the above link. 

July 1: Questions Writing Prize 2013
Open to young people 18-23 years: $2,000 1st prize for writing 1500–2,000 words: Details at www.questions.com.au

le="color: #000000;">July 1: Future Leaders Writing Prize 2013
Open to young people in Year 11 & 12; $1,000 1st prize for writing 800–1,000 words: Details at www.futureleaders.com.au

July 9: Val Vallis Award for Unpublished Poetry
Awarded for a single unpublished poem up to 100 lines, with first prize of $1000, a week at Varuna Writers House and publication in Cordite Poetry Review. Guidelines and entry form via the above link.

July 12: Albury City Short Story Award 2013
Australian Voices is the theme for the short story competition. It is intentionally broad, so the only limit need be your imagination. 3000 word limit. The Short Story Award is open to writers of all ages, all genres and all levels of experience. First prize is $1,000 plus great prizes for highly commended entries. $10 entry fee.

July 12: The 'Nib' Waverly Award for Literature
An award of $20,000 for excellence in research in the creation of a literary work of merit. The work must be first published between 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2013.

July 26: Asher Literary Award 2013
The Asher Literary Award is offered biennially to a female author whose work carries an anti-war theme. The Asher Award is managed by the Australian Society of Authors on behalf of the Literature Board of the Australia Council, and is valued at $10,000. There is no entry fee.

July 29: Entries now open for the Cancer Council Arts Awards 2013.
Arts Awards give people who have been affected by cancer a way to express their journey creatively through art, literature or film. Anyone can enter - survivors, carers and family members of loved ones lost to cancer, of all ages and artistic abilities. The theme for 2013 is Balance. Cancer can change the balance of life. It can bring chaos, confusion, a sense of clarity, even a sense of empowerment. Share your experiences with us. There are nine categories for entry. For more information and to enter follow the above link.

31st July: Elyne Mitchell Rural Writing Awards 2013
Harper Collins Award (Men and Women over 18 years of age) Prize $1,000 Women Writers' Award (Women over 18 years of age) Prize $1,000 Upper Murray Writers Category (men and women over 18 years of age) Prize $500. Detail and entry form via the link above.

July 31: 2013 Children's Peace Literature Award
Applications are now being accepted for this award of $3000 offered by Psychologists for Peace. The award is for books intended for children published between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2013 with a theme or main character(s) encouraging the peaceful resolution of conflict and/or promoting peace at the global, local or interpersonal level. Books will be judged in two categories - for Junior and Older readers. Details via the link above or by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

November 11 2013: Gallipoli Poetry Project
The 100 Years from Gallipoli Poetry Project wants new poetry that illustrates the diversity of views about Australia's anniversaries of military history. The author of the best poem will win $2500 and selected poems will be published in an anthology. $20 entry fee.