Australian Life showcases scenes and stories that make us laugh, cry and wonder.

From the epic to the intimate, the harsh to the fragile, Australia holds so many experiences for so many people.

You may capture any aspect of Australia – everyday occurrences, fleeting moments, unusual places, intriguing characters, the diversity of cultures, celebrations or rituals, natural or artificial environments.

From the entries we receive, 28 finalists will be selected to have their work enlarged and exhibited in Sydney’s Hyde Park.

Grand prize

The $10,000 Australian Life prize will be awarded for the most outstanding work in the exhibition, determined by a distinguished panel of judges.

People’s choice award

New for 2021, the people’s choice award invites everyone to vote for their favourite image during the exhibition.

The photographer who receives the most votes will receive an Olympus professional pack valued at over $5,000.

How to enter

Enter up to 2 images online by midnight on Tuesday 25 May 2021.

Please read the image specifications and Australian Life terms and conditions before entering for your best shot at becoming a finalist and winning the top prize.

Judges

Entries will be judged by a distinguished panel of judges including:

Trent Parke
Australian Life finalist 2002 and 2008

Trent Parke was the first Australian to become a full member of the renowned Magnum Photo Agency and is considered one of the most innovative and challenging photographers of his generation.

Born in 1971 and raised in Newcastle, NSW, he used his mother’s Pentax Spotmatic and the family laundry as a darkroom- and began taking pictures when he was around 12 years old.

His work has been exhibited widely and is held in major institutional collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, Museum of Contemporary Art, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of NSW, Artbank, Magnum London and Magnum Paris. In 2015, his solo exhibition The Black Rose premiered at the Art Gallery of South Australia, featuring photographs, light boxes, video, written texts and books.

Michaela Skovranova
Australian Life winner 2015

Michaela's work has focused on capturing intimate environmental and human stories - from documenting coral reefs and Great Barrier Reef restoration for National Geographic, The Great Australian Bight for Greenpeace and the aftermath of Australian bushfires for Time magazine.

She completed the first-ever Facebook underwater live video in Australia on World Ocean Day 2018, as part of National Geographic Australia's Planet or Plastic campaign.

Her short films pick up the natural, ambient-lit storytelling shown in her images. Her short film End of the World speaks to the devastating impacts of climate change in Antarctica and premiered at TEDx Sydney 2020.

She featured in a National Geographic documentary Protecting Paradise (2019), a global National Geographic campaign Uncover Antarctica (2020) and in Curiosity Stream’s new original series Nature Through Her Eyes (2021).

Justine Clarke

One of Australia's most accomplished and admired performers: a bestselling children's singer and acclaimed film, TV and stage actress with credits that include Tangle, Love My Way, Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome, Japanese Story and Hedda Gabler.

With this is also her constant, reassuring presence on the ABC TV institution, Play School and recent critical and commercial success The Time of Our Lives.

Justine's live shows include sing-a-long favourites from her 3 ARIA nominated albums, I Like to Sing, Songs to Make You Smile and Great Big World, accompanied by a live band.

Find out more about Australian Life 2021.

Featured image: 'Burn' by David Smith, 2019 competition finalist