Terms and Conditions

The Department of the House of Representatives proudly presents the Yarning Competition, a storytelling initiative designed to provide First Nations secondary school students across Australia with a platform to share their unique experiences, perspectives and cultural stories. By engaging students with the work of the department and promoting cultural awareness, Yarning aims to raise the profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture while supporting the broader government goals of reconciliation and Closing the Gap.

These terms and conditions are designed to ensure the fair and transparent operation of the Yarning Competition and to create an inclusive, respectful platform for sharing the stories and experiences of Indigenous youth across Australia.

By participating in this competition, entrants agree to comply with these terms and conditions.

1. Eligibility

1.1 The competition is open to First Nations students from across Australia who are currently enrolled in secondary school and fall into one of the following year groups: Years 7/8, Years 9/10, Years 11/12
1.2 Contestants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Island Australians.
1.3 Only one entry per participant is allowed.

2. Submission categories

2.1 Participants may submit their entries in the following formats:
Text: 400 words maximum
Video: 2 to 4 minutes in duration
Photos: 10 images maximum
Audio: 2 to 4 minutes in duration
Art: One entry, no larger than 100 cm x 100 cm
2.2 All entries must be the original work of the participant and reflect one of the competition themes. Entries must depict a true story about an aspect or experience of the student’s life.
2.3 Visual entries must be accompanied by a brief description or transcript.
2.4 Entries must be a true story about an aspect of the contestant’s life.

3. Themes

3.1 Participants can choose from the following themes:
Family and Community: Stories of strength, resilience and cultural pride within your community.
Country and Connection: Explore the deep connection First Nations peoples have with the land and waters, and traditional practices.
Identity and Culture: Reflect on what it means to be a First Nations Australian and how culture shapes your identity.
Reconciliation: What reconciliation means to you and how it can be achieved.

4. Submission process

4.1 Entries can be submitted online via the APH website or by post. The submission period will be open from 21 March 2025 to 30 May 2025.
4.2 All submissions must be accompanied by a signed parent/guardian consent form if the participant is under 18). This will be incorporated into the entry form.
4.3 Late or incomplete entries will not be considered.

5. Judging

5.1 The judging process will be conducted in two stages:
Shortlisting: The Parliamentary Services Indigenous Employee Network (PSIEN) will shortlist five finalists from each year group (7/8, 9/10, 11/12).
Final judging: The APS Indigenous SES Network (ISEN) will select the winners from each year group.
5.2 Judging will be based on the following criteria:
Storytelling: The ability to engage and captivate the audience.
Originality and creativity: Unique perspectives and imaginative storytelling.
Relevance to theme: How well the entry reflects the chosen theme in a meaningful and thought-provoking way.
Presentation and organisation: Does the entry feel like a finished, professional piece of work, showing care and effort in its creation. 
5.3 The decisions of the judges are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

6. Prizes

6.1 Winners will be invited to Canberra.
6.2 Winners will attend a formal presentation, receive certificates, and have the opportunity to present their entry at Parliament House.
6.3 Winners will also participate in a program at Parliament House, including a tour and attendance to Question Time. A morning tea will be held with Parliament members and staff to meet the winners.
6.4 The top 5 entries from each year group will be showcased on the APH website and social media channels. All entries will be displayed through an online exhibition.

7. Intellectual property

7.1 By submitting an entry, the participant agrees to grant the Department of the House of Representatives a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the submission for promotional, educational, and public purposes, including but not limited to publication on websites, social media, and print materials.
7.2 All entries must be the original work of the participant. The department takes no responsibility for any claims arising from third-party intellectual property rights violations.

8. Privacy and consent

8.1 The department will collect personal information (name, contact details, age, school, etc.) for the purpose of administering the competition and promoting the winners. This information will be handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988.
8.2 Participants under the age of 18 must obtain parental/guardian consent to participate in the competition, and consent for their child’s personal information to be collected and used as outlined in these terms.

9. Promotion

9.1 By entering the competition, participants agree to have their names, likeness and entries used in promotional materials for the competition, including but not limited to the APH website, social media, and press releases.
9.2 Participants may be invited to attend promotional events or interviews with the department, though participation is optional.

10. General terms

10.1 The department reserves the right to disqualify any participant who fails to comply with these terms and conditions or who submits inappropriate content.
10.2 The department is not responsible for any technical issues, such as internet connectivity or problems with submissions, that may prevent participation.
10.3 The department reserves the right to modify or cancel the competition at any time, without prior notice, for any reason.

11. Safety and child protection

11.1 The Department of the House of Representatives is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.
11.2 All activities related to the competition will adhere to the child safety policies of the department, including appropriate supervision for the winners’ visit to Canberra.

12. Contact Information

For any questions or additional information about the competition, please contact us via email:
yarning.reps@aph.gov.au