Eight Excellent Writing Competitions for Young Writers in 2026

Read on to find out about Writing Competitions for young writers that are open right now in early 2026.

What better way to start the school year than with a Writing Competition for young writers? Get the writer in your life inspired and back into the swing of things for Term One with these Australian writing competitions especially for young people. They range in age from Kindergarten to 18 years, so there’s something for everyone.

Some writing competitions have a theme, but most are open to their interpretation. Some are restricted by form, for example, poetry, short story or flash fiction. Take note of the word count in these cases.

Read the guidelines of the writing competitions carefully and make sure your entries are sent by the submission date. This is a good excuse to go dust off something you may have written a while ago or write something completely new. Happy Writing!

Writing Competitions for Young Writers 2026

Just Write – For Kids              Closes January 18 Open to: Children who are members of the South Australian Public Library network Theme: None Accepts: Short Story – 9 to 10 years old Size: 300 – 750 words Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First: Value up to $200, Second prize: Value up to $100 Accepts: Short Story – 11 to 13 years old Size: 500 – 1,000 words Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: First: Value up to $200, Second prize: Value up to $100

Rhiza Teen Author Prize    Closes January 31 Open to: Aspiring writers who are Australian citizens or residents aged 13 to 19 Theme: None Accepts: Manuscript Size:  Picture Books: 500 words Junior Fiction: 20,000 words Middle Fiction: 10,000 – 40,000 words Young Adult Fiction: 40,000 to 75,000 words Entry Fee: $25 Prizes: Up to 2 winners: Mentorship to develop manuscript for publication. If a publishing contract is offered, advances against manuscript, Short Listed: Appraisal Service

The Sheila Malady Short Story Competition Closes February 16 Open to: All Theme: “Much Ado About Nothing” Accepts: Short Story Size: 2,000 words Entry Fee: $10 for adults, $5 for young writers (under 18) Prizes: First: $300, 2 tickets to the Community Play, a handcrafted timber quill, Local prize: Collins Bookstore voucher, 2 tickets to the Community Play, Young writer under 18: Collins Bookstore voucher

The Golden Pen    Closes March 3 2026 Open to: Western Australian Students, years 4 to 12 Theme: Metamorphosis Accepts: Senior Category – High school students year 9 – 12 : Any format eg Poetry, prose, comics Size: 2,000 words or six A4 pages Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: Overall winner: e-reader ($249) and book pack, Shortlisted x 3: 6-month book subscription to Paper Bird Book Shop ($147)   Accepts: Middle Category – High school students year 7 – 8 : Any format eg Poetry, prose, comics Size: 2,000 words or six A4 pages Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: Overall winner: e-reader ($249) and book pack, Shortlisted x 3: 6-month book subscription to Paper Bird Book Shop ($147) Accepts: Junior Category – Primary school students year 4 – 6 : Any format eg Poetry, prose, comics Size: 2,000 words or six A4 pages Entry Fee: Nil Prizes: Overall winner: e-reader ($249) and book pack, Shortlisted x 3: 6-month book subscription to Paper Bird Book Shop ($147) Classroom entries of 5 or more submissions: First: workshop with a Scribblers creative

RAS AB Paterson Bush Poetry Award      Closes March 27 2026 Open to: School aged Australian poets Theme: Exploring the beauty, mystique, enchantment and unique characteristics of the Australian Bush Accepts: Bush poetry – Primary (K – 6) Size: 50 lines Entry Fee: Nil Accepts: Bush poetry – Secondary (7 – 12) Size: 50 lines Entry Fee: Nil Prize: “Banjo Paterson: A Life in Pictures and Words from the Banjo Paterson Family Archive” by Alistair Campbell, a copyrighted reproduction of Banjo Paterson’s original notes for ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and a family pass to the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show

Calanthe Collective Prize for Unpublished Poetry Closes March 31 2026 Open to: High school students Aged 18 and under. Theme: None Accepts: Poetry Size: 50 lines Entry Fee: Nil Prize: First: $400, Highly Commended x 2: $100

CYA Competition – Hatchlings Closes April 12 2026 Open to: 8-18 years old Theme: None Accepts: Picture Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, YA Size: Varies depending on category Entry Fee: Nil Prize: First: $100, Second $60, Third $40

Book Links Short Story Writing Competition Closes mid September 2026 Open to: Years 4-6 Theme: None Accepts: Short story Size: 500-1000 words Prize: $100 and story published on website.