31st Australian Songwriting Contest: Non-ASA Members

This submission is for Australians that are not current members of ASA.

Don't miss your LAST CHANCE to submit to ASA's Australian Songwriting Contest, 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.

Prizes include cash prizes up to $1000 cash, as well as photo sessions, seminars, and music gear.

/n/nSubmissions have been extended until 14 May to accomodate all artists.

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.

This page is for Australians that are not current members of ASA.

• If you're an ASA Member or would like to become one, please click here.
• If you'd like to enter the International category, please click here.

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 multi-tiered judging system in which each entrant’s 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 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. Sponsored by SongCentral.com.au

• 1st Prize: $400 cash

CONTEMPORARY POP/DANCE

Uptempo modern songs. Sponsored by Grover Allman and ASA.

• 1st Prize: $300 cash & 500 full colour customized picks , Grover Allman Guitar Keyring of your choice and Grover Allman Necklace of your choice
• 2nd Prize: 250 full colour customized guitar picks, Grover Allman Guitar Keyring of your choice and Grover Allman Necklace of your choice

BALLAD

Sponsored by Dynamic Music.

• 1st Prize: Zoom Q3HD Video Recorder (RRP $499)

FOLK/ACOUSTIC

Including ‘unplugged’ compositions. Sponsored by Ausmidi.

• 1st Prize: Mixcraft Pro Studio 5 (RRP $149) and Sonuus i2M (RRP $199)

COUNTRY

Sponsored by ASA.

• 1st Prize: $400 cash

ROCK / INDIE

Contemporary songs and heavier arrangements. Sponsored by MMS Retail Solutions and The AandRDepartment.com.

• 1st Prize: $300 cash and 2 X 1hr professional Artist Development Mentorship meetings

INSTRUMENTAL

Any genre or style, including traditional, classical, contemporary, film/TV tracks & electronica. Sponsored by Dynamic Music.

• 1st Prize: Zoom R8 Portable Multi-Track Recorder (RRP $399)

AUSTRALIA

Songs with an Australian theme or subject. Sponsored by ScoopFX Music and CMC.

• 1st Prize:$400 cash & CMC Productions Songwriting Seminar worth $300

SPIRITUAL

Songs of faith or inspiration. Sponsored by National Film and Sound Archive

• 1st Prize: $500 cash

SONGS FOR CHILDREN

Sponsored by Australian Songwriters Association and Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, ASA

• 1st Prize: $400 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: $400 cash

YOUTH

Any genre or style - songs by entrants 17 years of age and under as of 31 May 2011. Sponsored by Hamish Ta-Me photography.

• 1st Prize: Photographic package (RRP $2,000)


• 2nd Prize: $150 cash


• 3rd Prize: $100 cash

INTERNATIONAL

This is a special category open to songwriters from any country in the world, including Australia! Any genre of material can be entered. Sponsored by ASA.

• 1st Prize: $1,000 cash

Awards for overall winners made on the National Awards Night are the Songwriter of the Year and PPCA Award:

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.

PPCA AWARD

Given for the best live performance at the National Awards Night. Sponsored by PPCA.

• Winner receives: $400 cash

Sponsors of prizes and supporters of the organisation include APRA/AMCOS, Ausmidi, PPCA, Jands, Dynamic Music, ScoopFX Music, insideCity.NET, GOLDWebsites, TheAandRDepartment.com, National Film and Sound Archive, SongCentral.com.au, Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, ZOOM, Sabian, Hal Leonard and WJ Sanders.