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.
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 All entries must be original and unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere.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
Hardie Grant’s Write a Poem and Win! Competition (Entries close 31 October 2026)
Open to Australian students in Years 2 to 5. Judged in two age categories: Year 2 and Year 3; Year 4 and Year 5. Only teachers and parents can submit the entries. Judged by Maxine Beneba Clarke.
Do you have a real pet, a dream pet, or a completely imaginary one? Write a poem in rhyming couplets on the theme ‘pets’.
ENTRY: free
PRIZES: a $500 book pack for the winner and a $500 book pack for your school and a poetry writing kit.
Check out HardieGrantKids Instagram (go to their ‘link in bio’ for additional info and for the entry portal)
alphabetsoup.net.au 