Australian Photography Photographer of the Year 2026
Amateur photographers who are citizens or residents of Australia or New Zealand can enter the 2026 Photographer of the Year competition during its standard entry period.
How to enter
- Choose one of the portfolio or single-image categories on the official competition site.
- Prepare the required number of original images in the specified file format and size.
- Pay the applicable entry fee and upload the entry before the deadline.
What are the prizes?
Main prize: A prize pool valued at more than AUD $20,000, including AUD $9,000 cash, sponsor prizes, publication and exhibition opportunities across nine categories.
Main requirements
- Be an amateur photographer and a citizen or resident of Australia or New Zealand.
- Submit images taken on or after January 1, 2025 that comply with the selected category rules.
- Pay the applicable entry fee and submit by 11:59 p.m. AEDT on November 1.
Important notes
- The standard entry-fee period began July 20; fees increase for the final entry period.
- Generative-AI-created or AI-edited images are not eligible.
- Winners, runners-up and finalists are scheduled to be announced and published in January 2027.