Writers Victoria is pleased to partner with the Nillumbik Shire Council again to present Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing 2026.
Entries open 9AM (AEDT) Tuesday 1 July and close 11:59PM (AEDT) Tuesday 30 September 2025.
This prestigious biennial national prize offers contemporary Australian writers an opportunity to win cash prizes and to profile their work.
A total prize pool of $17,500 will be awarded, with entries now open in the following categories:
Short Story
Up to 2500 words
Theme: Echoes
Open, Local and Youth awards
Poetry
Up to 60 lines, all forms accepted
Open, Local and Youth awards
The winning entries will be published in an anthology and presented at a major public event in May 2026.
Entries open: 9AM (AEDT), Tuesday 1 July 2025
Entries close: 11:59PM (AEDT), Tuesday 30 September 2025
Entry is free for Youth categories and for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people across both genres.
Read the Conditions of Entry before applying.
Prize and awards
The prize awards the best work in each genre under each category. The prizes are monetary plus publication in the NPCW anthology which is launched at the public awards announcement held in May 2026. The prizes amounts are the same for both genres.
| Category | Prize amount |
| Open | $5000 |
| Local | $2500 |
| Youth | $1000 |
The Alan Marshall Short Story Award is awarded to the best short story in the Short Story Open category.
A Mayor’s Award ($500) is also awarded from shortlisted entries in the Short Story Local category.
All entries in the Local category are automatically entered into the Open category.
Entry fees
The entry fees are the same for both genres.
Entry is free for the Youth categories and for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people across both genres.
| Category | Full entry fee | Concession |
| Open (up to two entries) | $25.00 | $15 |
| Local (up to two entries) | $15.00 | $10 |
| Youth (up to two entries) | $Free | Free |
Eligibility
- Open category is open to all Australian residents.
- Local category is open to Australian residents who live, work or study in Nillumbik.
- Youth category is open to Australian residents aged 11 to 21.
How to apply
All entries are online.
Read the Conditions of Entry before applying.
If you need assistance submitting your application, please contact us via [email protected] or call 9917 8461.