Below is a list of non-fiction, essay, memoir and life writing contests based in Australia and New Zealand — although some may be open to writers elsewhere.
We aim to avoid listing competitions which make unreasonable demands on entrants, such as copyright claims on all entries. Please check terms and conditions before entering, in case some slip through.
For a list of UK, Ireland, and European competitions, click here, and for US / Canada, click here. Some competitions in both listings will be open to writers worldwide.
DECEMBER 2021 DEADLINES
17th December
Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Developmental Prize
For a 80,000 word max manuscript (nonfiction or fiction). Submit 300 word synopsis plus first 50 pages. Winner receives Author Coaching, Structural Edit and Line Edit (Prize Value $2,500). Publication not guaranteed. A$45 entry fee.
JANUARY 2022 DEADLINES
22nd January
The Calibre Essay Prize
“The Prize is open to all essayists writing in English. We seek essays of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject. We welcome essays of all kinds: personal or political, literary or speculative, traditional or experimental.” A$7,500 prize value.
31st January
The Writers College My Writing Journey Competition
600 words on ‘The best writing tip I’ve ever received’. Winner: NZ$200 / R2,000 / £100.
FUTURE DEADLINES
The Horne Prize (November 2021)
JNZL Essay Prize (December 2021)
The Spark Prize (January 2022)
Overland’s Kuracca Prize for Australian Literature (January 2022)
World Bank Blog Writing Contest (February 2022)
Charles Brasch Young Writers Essay Competition (March 2022)
Ada Cambridge Biographical Prose Prize (March 2022)
Furphy Story Prize (April 2022)
Questions Writing Prize (May 2022)
The Australian / Vogel’s Literary Award (June 2022)
MTP 2021 Short Story Competition (June 2022)
The Writers College Free Writing Competition (June 2022)
Australian Orchid Foundation Essay Prize (June 2022)
National Science Week WA – ICRAR Monologue Competition (July 2022)
Landfuall Essay Competition (July 2022)
ACICA Essay Competition (July 2022)
AAWP Prize (July 2022)
Lane Cove Council’s Lane Cove Literary Awards (August 2022)
Bass Coast Prize for Non-Fiction (September 2022)
The Deakin University Non-Fiction Prize (September 2022)
Thunderbolt Crime for Crime Writing (September 2022)
Campus Writing Competition (October 2022)