The University of Sydney offers a number of literary prizes for submissions of written works including poems and plays. Some of the prizes have specific criteria or themes, while others are open to a wide range of writing. The prize winners are announced annually. Most are awarded for academic work or research, but some also award artistic works in a variety of media. All prize entries are submitted under a pseudonym and screened for academic integrity. All entries for literary prizes must be accompanied by a signed copyright release form.

The Sidney Prize is an annual literary prize given to the best Australian short story. The winner receives a cash prize of A$10,000, and two runners-up receive A$5,000 each. The winning story will be published in Overland, and the runners-up stories will appear online alongside the autumn issue. The competition is open to writers from around the world.

In her novella, “The House on Half Moon Street”, Elizabeth Spencer reveals the complexity of family life in the deep South. With a masterful technique and fearlessness, she exposes the obstacles that challenge human decency in our region’s rigid culture. Spencer’s work affirms the rich, diverse heritage of Southern literature and honors its long tradition of narrative excellence.

This award was established by the late Sir John Macarthur to recognise outstanding achievement and service in the fields of arts, science, public service, commerce or industry. It is one of Australia’s premier cultural awards and is administered by the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

The Hillman Foundation, named after the former president of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America union (a forerunner to Unite Here and Workers United, SEIU), awards monetary prizes for journalism and public service. The prize is open to journalists and writers pursuing social justice, public policy, and the common good in traditional and new media. The foundation is led by SEIU president emeritus Bruce Raynor.