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 Spencil Art Prize (Entries close 1 March 2026)
Open to residents of Australia and New Zealand aged 13 years or younger as at 4 March 2026. Submit an artwork of any ‘flat’ media – drawing, painting, collage, photography, computer art or a mix of these media – that can be applied to textile product.
ENTRY: Free
PRIZES: There is one winner of each of the two prize categories – 8 years and under and 9 to 13 years.
Each Winner will receive
A Spencil Art Prize Award certificate
A collaboration with Spencil’s in-house designers to produce one or more Spencil products in their design. Winning artists will work with Spencil designers in choosing appropriate products and further developing the designs to be best applied to those products. Final products will be chosen by Spencil designers.
One of each product/s produced in their design.
Acknowledgement of the artist behind the design in promotions.
$100 cash prize provided as a debit gift card, able to be used wherever major credit cards are accepted
A bundle of Spencil Art Prize products, selected by Spencil Management, to the value of $200
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
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
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.
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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