29th Australian Songwriting Contest (extended)

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.

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.

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.

There are overall prizes for the contest, as well as 1st, 2nd and third place prizes for 13 individual categories. See below for detailed prize info.

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 tendancy for the judges decisions to be influenced by any factors outside the song itself.

Following the judging process, 1st place-getters are invited to perform at the ASA's National Awards Night gala, 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.

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 categories:

OPEN

For that song that may not fit other categories.