Entry guide · Australia

North Sydney Young Writers’ Award

A long-running youth award hosted by Stanton Library and North Sydney Council.

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Competition & entry information

Writing: Creative Writing, Poetry
Location: NSW
Preparation level: Developing
Opportunity: Competition

Who can enter?

Current age range: 11–18. Check the next entry form for any other eligibility conditions.

What do you write?

One poem or short story, up to 750 words under current guidance.

How to enter

Use the new-round council entry form when it opens and confirm age and consent requirements.

Dates and planning notes

2026: Opens 1 Dec 2026 · 2027 round
Opening announced
This is the opening date, not a submission deadline.
2027: 2027 round · closing date TBC
Opening announced
The council confirms opening on 1 December 2026. No 2027 closing date has been announced.

Official sources

Official website / entry information ↗

Checked 4 October 2026. Preparation levels are editorial guidance, not a prediction of winning. Recheck the live rules, fees and eligibility before entering.

Turn your target into stronger writing

Prepare with purpose.

Creative Writing · Poetry · Real Stories

Australian Writing
Competition Coaching

For secondary students building their voice and craft through Australian national and local writing competitions.

Preparation focusVoice, structure and expression

Working towardsA suitable target each term

Understand the brief and choose a suitable competition.
Develop stories, poems and personal writing through regular practice.
Learn to revise with purpose and make stronger writing choices.
Build a body of original work over successive competition goals.

What students build: A stronger writing process, purposeful drafts and an original piece prepared for a suitable submission.

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What preparation can develop

Beyond the final submission.

A clearer sense of voice, audience and purpose.
More deliberate choices in structure and language.
The ability to use feedback and revise independently.
A growing portfolio and a next writing goal.

How our coaching works →

Students complete their own work. Coaching respects the organiser’s rules on feedback, editing and AI; where entry editing is restricted, teaching uses separate practice tasks.