The Australian Songwriters Association (ASA) is a national, non-profit, member-based organisation dedicated to the support of songwriters and their art. Founded in 1979, the ASA today has a large, vibrant and diverse membership across Australia, and is well established and highly regarded.

The ASA's Australian Songwriting Contest is the country’s largest and longest running competition for professional and amateur songwriters. Songs are judged on originality and craft. The song does not have to be performed by the songwriter, but it must be original and not signed with a publishing company at the time of entry.

Membership of the ASA and entry into the Australian Songwriting Contest is open to Australian citizens and permanent residents only, with the exception of the International Category, which is open to citizens of all nations. Entry must be in the name of an individual songwriter, whose responsibility it will be to list any co-writers and liaise with them as necessary if the material progresses through the competition.

Sponsors of prizes and supporters of the organisation include APRA/AMCOS. PPCA, Jands, Dynamic Music, ScoopFX Music, insideCity.NET, GOLDWebsites, TheAandRDepartment.com, National Film and Sound Archive, The Pub Group, SongCentral.com.au, The Forces Advisory Council on Entertainment (FACE), Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, Maton, Tapco, Mackie, Lexicon, Shure, ZOOM, Sabian, Hal Leonard and WJ Sanders.

The ASA uses up to 60 well-qualified people from the music industry in a unique two-tiered judging system in which each entrants' identity is hidden. This precludes any tendency for the judges decisions to be influenced by any factors outside the song itself.

Following the judging process, 1st place-getters are invited perform at the ASA's gala National Awards Night, which is an important fixture on the Music Industry Calendar. The Lyrics category winner is the only exception to this, but they will have their composition displayed in written form on the night. Category winners who are SongCentral.com.au members also receive free showcasing of their 1st placed song in Showcase 2 on the site for one year. In addition, Hal Leonard supplies a quality music book to every winner.

All 2nd and 3rd place-getters will receive cash prizes and all Top 10 finalists are recognised on stage at the National Awards, as well as receiving a Certificate of Placing.

The National Awards have been dubbed 'the Easys', after the original inductees into the ASA's Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame, The Easybeats. This year's Awards Night will feature a very special performance by another elite Australian songwriter, who will be inducted into the Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Other presentations made on the night are the Songwriter of the Year, Rudy Brandsma Award and PPCA Award. Details of these 3 special awards are:
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Judged from the first prize winners of each category. Separate entry is not required.
Sponsored by APRA
Winner receives: $3,000 cash and an Easys Trophy.

RUDY BRANDSMA AWARD
All entrants who are ASA members qualify for selection to receive this honour.
Sponsored by Maton
Winner receives: EM225 Maton Guitar (RRP $1,399)

PPCA AWARD
Given for the best live performance at the National Awards Night.
Sponsored by PPCA
Winner receives: $400 cash

Each of the 13 categories has a unique first prize (see below). Second prize for each category is $250 and Third Prize is $100 unless otherwise noted. All dollar amounts refer to Australian dollars. Here is a summary of the other categories:

OPEN
For that song that may not fit other categories.
Sponsored by SongCentral.com.au
1st Prize: $500 cash

CONTEMPORARY POP/DANCE
Up tempo modern songs
Sponsored by Jands
1st Prize: Lexicon Omega Desktop Recording (RRP $899) and ShureKSM27Studio Microphone (RRP $799)

BALLAD
Sponsored by Dynamic Music
1st Prize: Zoom H2 Recorder (RRP $425)

FOLK /ACOUSTIC
Including ‘unplugged’ compositions
Sponsored by Dynamic Music and National Film and Sound Archive
1st Prize: Zoom H2 Recorder (RRP $425)

COUNTRY
Sponsored by The Pub Group
1st Prize: $750 cash and the opportunity to perform at Tamworth Folk Festival

ROCK / INDIE
Contemporary songs and heavier arrangements
Sponsored by Dynamic Music and TheAandRDepartment.com
1st Prize: Zoom H4 Recorder (RRP $645) plus 3 months mentoring from TheAandRDepartment.com (usual cost $6,000 per month)

INSTRUMENTAL Any genre or style, including traditional, classical, contemporary, film/TV tracks & electronica.
Sponsored by Dynamic Music
1st Prize: Zoom H4 Recorder (RRP $645)

AUSTRALIA
Songs with an Australian theme or subject
Sponsored by ScoopFX Music
1st Prize: $500 cash
SPIRITUAL Songs of faith or inspiration
Sponsored by Dynamic Music
1st Prize: Zoom H2 Recorder (RRP $425)

SONGS FOR CHILDREN Sponsored by Australian Songwriters Association and Wests Ashfield Leagues Club
1st Prize:$ 500 cash
LYRICS
Words of a song or poem/words suitable to be set to music. Sponsored by the National Film and Sound Archive
1st Prize: $500

YOUTH
Any genre or style - songs by entrants 17 years of age and under as at 31st May, 2008.
Sponsored by insideCity.NET and GOLDWebsites
1st Prize: Custom website design with two years hosting + search engine optimization
2nd Prize: $150
3rd Prize: $100

INTERNATIONAL
This is a special category open to songwriters from any country in the world, including Australia! Any genre of material can we entered.
Sponsored by The Forces Advisory Council on Entertainment (FACE)
1st Prize: $1,000 cash

Please note: song critiques are available by clicking here.

If you have any questions about which option to choose from the above drop down menus, please visit Sonicbids support

"Genghis Cohen Restaurant was buzzing with excitement as a ton of new faces gathered to hear Australian Songwriters conveying images and sounds of home..." - Oz City Song Circle - By Advance (Aust. Global Professionals)