Calling all writers and artists!
Here is a list of competitions for writing and illustrating/art open to children aged 12 and under. The list will be updated as often as we can. (Note: most of these competitions will be open to Australian residents only.)
Some tips when it comes to entering competitions:
- Writing comps are a good way to hone your writing skills and to work to a deadline.
- If you don’t win, it doesn’t mean your work is bad—don’t lose heart, just keep at it!
- Many writing/art competitions have free entry for kids. If there IS an entry fee, check with your parent/guardian about whether it’s a reputable competition. (Some competitions ask you to pay large amounts of money to enter, or say it is free to enter but then want you to buy a book with all the ‘winners’ writing published. It’s usually a good idea to avoid those sorts of competitions.)
- Read all the entry conditions. And read them again! You don’t want to be disqualified for going over the word limit or missing the closing date.
- DO NOT USE AI in any way unless a competition specifically states that you are allowed to use it. Most competitions won’t allow it and most will use plagiarism and AI checkers for entries.
- We list competitions here but we are not usually affiliated with those competitions and do not necessarily endorse them. You will need to check with a parent/guardian before entering.
North Sydney Council Young Writers Award (Entries close 28 February 2026)
Open to students aged between 11-18 years old as of Saturday 28 February 2026 and must be residents of the Sydney NSW metropolitan area. Do not use AI in the creation of your work. One entry per person. Your entry must be a poem or short story equal to or less than 750 words.
Check out the competition’s website for all terms and conditions of entry
The Golden Pen Storytelling Competition (Entries close 3 March 2026)
Open to school students in Western Australia. The Golden Pen Storytelling Competition is back, inviting young storytellers to embrace transformation with this year’s theme: Metamorphosis.
Unleash your creativity and explore the magic of change. Whether it’s a creature mutating, a character finding their true self, or a world evolving in unexpected ways.
Maximum word limit: 2000 words. Submitted entries must not have received an award in a previous public writing competition. Do not use AI in any way.
PRIZES:
Shortlisted Entrants
- Three shortlisted entrants will be selected from each age category. Shortlisted
entrants will be notified by phone/email by Friday 24 April 2026. - Shortlisted entrants will receive a 6-month book subscription to Paper Bird Book
Shop valued up to $147, and a Scribblers book pack. - Shortlisted entries may be published on the Scribblers Festival website and/or in
the 2025 Golden Pen Anthology.
Winning entrants
One overall winner will be selected from each age category.
- Winners will be announced by Monday 18 May 2026.
- The overall winners’ entries will be published on the Scribblers Festival website.
- Golden Pen winners from each age category will win an e-reader valued up to
$249, and a Scribblers book pack.
Check out the competition’s website for entry conditions
Royal Agricultural Society AB Paterson Bush Poetry Award (Entries close 27 March 2026)
All school-aged Australian poets are invited to craft an original poem of 50 lines or fewer, exploring the beauty, mystique, enchantment, and unique characteristics of the Australian bush. (All submissions must present a clearly recognisable Australian bush theme.)
The Award includes a Primary age judging category for grades K-6. Entries will be judged with consideration to the age and developmental stage of each student.
ENTRY: Free
PRIZES: The winner of this competition will receive a copy of Banjo Paterson: A Life in Pictures and Words from the Banjo Paterson Family Archive by Alistair Campbell (Pan Macmillan Publishers), a copyrighted reproduction of Banjo Paterson’s original notes for ‘Waltzing Matilda,’ and a family pass to the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show to attend the official presentation. The presentation date is still to be confirmed.
Check out the competition’s website for entry conditions
KSP Spooky Story Competition (Entries close 6 April 2026)
The primary school category (aged 12 and under) is open Australia wide. Write a spooky short story on the theme ‘Glitch’. Your story should not be longer than 500 words.
ENTRY: Free
PRIZES: WA first prize: $25, certificate, complimentary print copy of Spooky Story anthology.
WA second prize: Certificate, complimentary print copy of Spooky Story anthology.
Interstate writer award: $25, certificate, complimentary print copy of Spooky Story anthology.
Shire of Mundaring encouragement award: $25, certificate, complimentary print copy of
Spooky Story anthology.
Shortlist/Highly Commended/Commended awards: Certificate and publication in Spooky Story anthology.
Prizes will be issued as Visa Debit gift cards.
Check out the competition’s website for entry conditions
alphabetsoup.net.au 