Entries are accepted only via the online Entry Form. By making a submission Entrants acknowledge to have read and understood the Submission Guidelines.

Entrants should submit their own original work.

Performances may be of any genre or style.

Entrants should be Australian citizens or currently resident in Australia.

Entrants to the Prize may be published or unpublished writers and poets.

Entrants under 18 years are eligible but should contact QWC prior to entering, and will require permission from a guardian.

Entries should not have been previously published in a recorded (audio or video) format, and poetry included in the submission should not be on offer for publication elsewhere. Material included in the recording may be previously published in a written format (i.e. in a journal) provided the Entrant holds the requisite rights to perform and republish it in a recorded format.

Entries do not need to be broadcast quality or include sound or video production. Entrants may edit the recording provided the majority focus of the Entry remains on the spoken word. (The Entrant must hold the rights to use all elements included in the submission.)

Multiple submissions are permitted but limited to five total. Each submission requires a separate Entry and fee.

For co-authored Entries, please contact QWC prior to making a submission.

Entrants grant first right of refusal on the publication of the recording and/or transcript to QWC for an exclusive period of up to 12 weeks following public announcements if selected as Winner or Runner-up. Further contractual arrangements will be made directly. QWC otherwise reserves no rights over works submitted to the Awards; Entrants retain copyright at all times.

Where there is Indigenous content or participation in the work, Entrants should comply with Creative Australia’s Protocols for using First Nations Intellectual and Cultural Property.

Discounted entry fees are available to all concession card holders (including students, seniors, NDIS participants, etc) and current members of state writers’ centres in the National Writers’ Centre Network, including QWC.

Entries will be subject to a rigorous assessment process with review by QWC team members, trained Readers and an experienced guest Judge/s, including an anonymous judging process insofar as is feasibly possible given the format.

Judges’ and Readers’ feedback is not provided to unsuccessful Entrants; no correspondence with Readers or Judges may be entered into.

Submissions will be disposed of securely up to nine months after QWC completes the selection process. QWC may record and keep other information provided on the Entry Form for reference purposes.

The awarding of a Winner, Runner-up an/or Shortlist is at QWC’s discretion, and may depend on the quality and number of submissions received. In the event a Winner is not awarded, QWC may provide development opportunities to up to three highly-placed Entrants.

QWC does not guarantee the future publication or production of work submitted to the Awards.

All writers will be personally notified of the outcome of their Entry prior to public announcements.

For assistance with Entries, including where QWC can support Entrants with access requirements, please contact QWC at admin@qldwriters.org.au or (07) 3842 9922.

These Submission Guidelines were developed and updated for the 2025 suite of Queensland Poetry Awards. QWC reserves the right to amend Guidelines for future Awards.