frequently asked questions
Submissions can be made in one of the following formats:
◉ Text (400 words maximum; including stories, essays or poems)
◉ Video (2 to 4 minutes in length, which must be accompanied by a brief description or transcript of no more than 200 words)
◉ Photos (10 images maximum, which must be accompanied by a brief description or transcript of no more than 200 words)
◉ Audio (2 to 4 minutes in length, which must be accompanied by a brief description or transcript of no more than 200 words)
◉ Art (1 work with a maximum size of 1000 mm (h) by 1000 mm (w), which must be accompanied by a brief description or transcript of no more than 200 words)
Participants can choose from the following themes:
◉ Family and Community: Share stories of strength, resilience, cultural pride within your community and the importance of community.
◉ Country and Connection: Explore the deep connection First Nations people have with the land and waters, and traditional practices.
◉ Identity and Culture: Reflect on what it means to be First Nations Australians and how culture shapes your identity.
◉ Reconciliation: What this means to First Nations Australians and/or how this can be achieved.
Visit the Yarning website and check out our ‘How to enter‘ page. On the ’How to enter’ page, you will see instructions on submitting your entry through the online portal. Once you complete the form and submit your entry, you will only be contacted if there is a problem, or you have not met the terms and conditions.
The Yarning competition will be open to First Nations students from across Australia.
Entrants must identify as having First Nations heritage and be attending school at year level 7/8, 9/10 or 11/12.
Anyone under the age of 18 will need parent or guardian consent. The Consent and Release Agreement is part of the entry form.
No, there should only be one entry per person.
A panel of First Nations employees from across the Parliament will shortlist the entries. The panel will select five finalists from each of the 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12 year groups.
A panel of First Nations Senior Executives from the Australian Public Service will select the winners from each age group.
More information about judging and judging criteria can be found on this page.
No. This is the first time this competition has been run.
Send us an email to yarning.reps@aph.gov.au describing your issue and we will get back to you within 3 business days.