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.
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
Whitsunday Voices Short Story Competition (Closes 4pm Queensland time, 30 April 2026)
Enter your short story on any topic of your choosing. Do not use AI.
Word limits:
Grades 3 – 4 300 – 400 words
Grades 5 – 6 300 – 500 words
Grades 7 – 8 400 – 600 words
Grades 9 – 10 600 – 800 words
Grades 11 – 12 800 – 1200 words
ENTRY: Free
PRIZES: Cash prizes for first, second and third place in each age category. See competition’s website for specific prize amounts.
Check out the competition’s website for entry conditions
Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists (Entries OPEN 24 April and close 18 May 2026)
Open to WA young artists in years one to twelve. All artworks must be an original, two-dimensional (2D) creation no bigger than 1 metre x 1.5 metre in size. Judged in five age categories, including primary school categories. AI influenced or produced artwork will not be accepted.
ENTRY: Free
PRIZES: Prizes are donated from the City of Subiaco and award sponsors and are presented to the top three entries in each category. A selection of the best artworks entered will feature in a month-long public exhibition at Subiaco Library from Monday 6 July to Sunday 2 August. All exhibited artists receive professional framing or mounting for their artworks.
Check out the competition’s website for entry conditions
CBCA WA’s Make Your Own Storybook Awards (Entries close Friday 5 June 2026)
Open to all Western Australian students from Pre Primary to Year 8. Create your own picture book or storybook, maximum word limit 5000 words. Your book must have original text and illustrations. Your book must be handbound (see competition’s website for tips). Your book can be created solo or with a maximum of two students collaborating. The use of AI is strictly prohibited.
Books must be entered by dropping off at Child Education Services in East Perth or may be mailed there, but be mindful of the closing date.
ENTRY: Free
PRIZES: awarded in various age categories but not specified at this time.
Check out the competition’s website for entry conditions and tips.
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards (Entries close 30 June 2026)
Open to students enrolled in an Australian education facility (Kindergarten to Year 12). Poems must be no more than 80 lines. Poems may be on any subject, there is an optional theme: The Traveller. Poems can be written by an individual poet, a group of up to 5 students, or a whole class. See the competition’s website for details. The use of AI is not permitted.
PRIZES: Cash prizes (see competition’s website for details). The annual anthology includes all the winning, runners-up, shortlisted, highly commended and commended poems from all competition categories.
ENTRY: Fees apply
Check out the competition’s website for entry conditions
Better Read Kids Writing Competition (Entries close 1 August 2026)
Open to kids aged 6 to 17 years old. Write a short creative piece in the form of a short story, poem, or comic on the theme of “metamorphosis”. Maximum word count: 300 words.
ENTRY: Free
PRIZES: All entries will be published in an anthology, with prizes for the winning entry in each age category. The winning entry in each category (6-9, 10-12 and 13-17) will receive a $100 Better Read Than Dead voucher and two runners up in each category will receive a $50 voucher.
Check out the competition’s website for entry conditions
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