Enter The Age Essay Prize 2023 for your chance to win $1000

Calling all budding writers, essayists and journalists! The Age is offering you the chance to see your work in print and there are cash prizes.

The Age has launched a new competition for writers aged 14 – 24, designed to encourage you to speak up and be heard.

Judged by award-winning novelist, poet and children’s book author, Maxine Beneba Clarke and offering a first prize that includes $1000 cash, a tour of The Age newsroom and publication in both print and digital formats, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Judges will be looking for original, compelling content that has not been previously published (including in school newspapers or other competitions), that demonstrates excellent writing skills, has an engaging voice and style, that makes a compelling argument and that is topical and thought-provoking.

How do I enter?

Write an essay on one of the below essay questions and submit your entry via The Age entry form.

  1. What makes you optimistic about the future of Melbourne or Victoria?
  2. How is Victoria different from the rest of the country and how have those differences been established?
  3. What is the one law you would change and why?

Entry criteria

  • Your essay should be your original work; it should not be written by AI or plagiarised;
  • Competition open to people aged 14 to 24 years of age on 2 October 2023;
  • The competition is open to Australian residents only;
  • 14-18 years can write up to 800 words; 19-24 years can write up to 2000 words. Word lengths will be strictly enforced (+/- 10 per cent);
  • Only one entry is allowed per person.

Entries close 2 October at 11.59 pm AEST.

For more information and to view the full terms and conditions, visit The Age competition details.

If you have any questions, email news@theage.com.au with The Age Essay Prize in the subject line.