Entry guide · Australia

Somerset National Poetry Prize

A national poetry goal for secondary students, with junior and senior school divisions.

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Competition & entry information

Writing: Poetry
Location: National
Preparation level: Stretch
Opportunity: Competition

Who can enter?

Australian citizens or permanent residents attending secondary school in Australia, including home school; under 19 at the deadline.

What do you write?

Up to 50 lines, excluding the title.

How to enter

Read the current conditions, prepare an anonymous poem and enter through Storyfest.

Dates and planning notes

2026: 4 Dec 2026 · 2027 edition
Confirmed date
Poetry deadline time is not stated in the reviewed PDF; do not borrow the novella time.
2027: 2027 dates to be announced
Awaiting announcement
Planning placement only. The next edition, entry window and rules must be confirmed by the organiser.

The 2027 edition closes in 2026. Any later 2027 submission round is unannounced.

Official sources

Official website / entry information ↗Rules / entry document ↗

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.

Discuss the Australian course →

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.