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.
Haiku on Hay Poetry Competition (Entries close 31 July 2026)
Open to Western Australian residents only. Write a haiku. You’ll be judged on how your poem feels, how well it uses brevity to capture a moment in time, and how well it evokes emotion. Judged in multiple age categories.
Entry: free
PRIZES: for the Primary category (ages 5-11) Prize pack valued over $100, including Lightfall by Tim Probert (box set), $50 book voucher, selected library merchandise.
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
Australian Conservation Foundation Wild at Art Competition. (Entries close 10 August 2026)
Open to Australian children aged 5-12. Create an original artwork of one of Australia’s many threatened native animals or plants, along with a short written component on the chosen threatened species.
For the artwork: Create your own work of art that interprets your chosen animal or plant. Make sure it falls within the categories of drawing, painting or mixed media (such as collage). (Three dimensional, photography and video works can’t be accepted.) Please make sure it is your own work.
For the written component: a short piece of writing that describes anything you care to mention about the artwork, e.g. what inspired you to choose your subject. Your reflection should be 50-150 words long.
ENTRY: unclear as competition is not yet open, but likely free to enter.
PRIZES: A mix of prizes including: Educational board games and books, Wildlife and zoo experiences, Nature activity sets, Arts and crafts gift cards, Australian animal soft toys
Check out the competition’s website for entry conditions.
2026 City of Subiaco WA Young Writers Award (Entries close 10 August 2026, 5.30pm AWST)
Open to Western Australian school students in Years one to twelve. Enter one piece of prose writing on any theme, maximum 1000 words. All entries must be the sole work of the entrant. Stories should not be edited by parents or teachers. Do not use Chat CPT or other AI.
ENTRY: Free.
PRIZES: Vouchers and gifts.
Check out the competition’s website for entry conditions.
Jacqueline Harvey’s Writing Competition (Entries close 31 August 2026)
Write a story or poem to enter. There are three divisions, Grades K-3, 4-6 and 7-9.
Visit the author’s website to see the prompts required for each age category.
You must not use AI for finding ideas, writing the text or editing your work. There is a declaration in the entry to confirm that you have adhered to this condition.
ENTRY: Free
PRIZES: the winners will have a choice of two signed books from Jacqueline Harvey and the overall winner will receive a 45 minute ZOOM writing lesson, either for themselves or their class.
Check out the competition’s website for entry conditions.
KSP Poetry competition (Entries close 16 September 2026)
Open to Australian writers only. All entries must be original and unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere. Entries must not have won an award elsewhere. All poetry styles and themes are welcome.
Write a poem, maximum 50 lines. Entries that do not meet formatting guidelines may be disqualified. Please read the instructions carefully before submitting.
No AI technology may be used in the generation of ideas, content, or editing of entries.
ENTRY: free in the category for ages 10-17.
PRIZES: First prize in youth category: $100; Second prize $50. Mundaring National Young Writers Encouragement Award (for under 14s): $25
Check out the terms and conditions on the competition’s website
Book Links Short Story Competition (Entries close 18 September)
Open to Australian residents in Grades 4-6 at school. Write a short story (fiction), 500-1000 words
on any subject. Entries should not have won any other competition at the time of entry and should not have been published in any form.The story should have a clear structure of beginning, middle and end. The story should not be divided into chapters. Each entry must be original work, created without the use of generative AI.
ENTRY: free
PRIZES: winner receives $100 and has their story published on the Book Links website.
Check out the terms and conditions at the competition’s website
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