Terms and conditions

The Department of the House of Representatives (the department) provides a unique opportunity, through the Yarning competition, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary school students across Australia to connect with, and learn about the work of the Australian Parliament, by providing them with a platform to showcase and to share their experiences, perspectives and cultural stories.

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, participants agree to comply with these terms and conditions.

1. Eligibility
1.1 The competition is open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander 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 Islander.
1.3 Only one entry per participant is allowed.

2. Submission requirements
2.1 Participants may submit their entry in the following formats:
Visual Art: One entry, no larger than 100 cm x 100 cm
Text: 400 words maximum
Photography: 10 images maximum
Video: 2 to 4 minutes in duration
Audio: 2 to 4 minutes in duration
2.2 The entry must be the original work of the participant and reflect one of the competition themes.
2.3 The entry must be accompanied by a brief description or transcript.
2.4 The entry should reflect the participant’s own experiences, perspectives, or cultural knowledge.
2.5 The entry must not be generated by, or substantially created with the assistance of, artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This includes but is not limited to AI text generators, AI image generators, AI audio or video generators, and large language models. The use of AI tools to write, rewrite, edit, illustrate, or otherwise produce entry content is not permitted.
2.6 Standard accessibility tools (such as screen readers, speech-to-text software, and spell checkers), basic editing software (such as photo or video editing applications), and support from teachers or family members as in the ordinary course of schoolwork, are permitted, provided the creative content and storytelling are the participant’s own.
2.7 The department reserves the right to request that a participant verify the originality of their entry. If an entry is found to have been substantially generated by AI, it may be disqualified.

3. Themes
3.1 Participants can choose from the following themes to describe their:
Country and Connection: by exploring the deep connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with the land and waters, and traditional practices.
Identity and Culture: reflecting on what identity and culture means to you.
Family and Community: by sharing  stories of strength, resilience and cultural pride within your community.
Reconciliation: by sharing your thoughts on reconciliation and its significance.

4. Submission process
4.1 Entries can be submitted online via the Yarning website. The submission period is 9 February 2026 to 11:59pm 11 May 2026.
4.2 For participants under the age of 18, parent or guardian consent is required; this is provided for in 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 and final judging.
5.2 Judging will be based on the following criteria (and weighting):
Storytelling (25%): The ability to engage and captivate the audience.
Originality and creativity (25%): Unique perspective(s) and imaginative storytelling.
Relevance to theme (25%): Reflective of the chosen theme in a meaningful and thought-provoking way.
Presentation and organisation (25%): The entry is presented as a finished, professional piece of work, demonstrating 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 receive an expenses-paid, 3-night trip to Parliament House in Canberra, including flights, travel to and from the airport, accommodation, breakfast and lunch for each full day and activities.
6.2 Winners will attend a formal presentation at Parliament House, receive certificates, and their entry will be exhibited at Parliament House for a temporary period determined by the department.
6.3 Winners will participate in a program at Parliament House, including a morning tea, tour and attendance at Question Time.
6.4 Each winner will receive a prize pack valued at approximately $250, which may include books or other items selected by the department.
6.5 If a winner is unable to travel to Canberra for the presentation event, the department will consult with the winner and their parent/guardian to explore alternative arrangements. Where a winner is unable to travel to Parliament House for the presentation event , the department reserves the right to select an additional winner from the shortlisted finalists for that year group.
6.6 Artworks submitted as entries remain the property of the participant. Winning artworks will be exhibited at Parliament House for a temporary period determined by the department, after which the artwork will be returned to the participant at the department’s expense. Participants are responsible for ensuring physical entries are suitably packaged for safe transport. The department will take reasonable care of physical entries but accepts no liability for loss or damage during transit or exhibition.
6.7 The shortlisted entries from each year group will be showcased on the Parliament of Australia (APH) website and the department’s social media channels. Where possible, entries will be displayed through an online exhibition on the Yarning website.

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, internal departmental activities including reconciliation initiatives 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, which includes consent for their child’s personal information to be collected and used as outlined in these terms.
8.3 Personal information and entries will be retained by the department in accordance with the department’s Records Authority and the Archives Act 1983. Personal information will be retained only for as long as necessary for the purposes of administering the competition, promoting winners, and meeting the department’s record-keeping obligations. Participants, or their parent/guardian, may request access to, or correction of, personal information held by the department by contacting yarning.reps@aph.gov.au.

9. Promotion
9.1 By entering the competition, all participants agree to have their entries, names, identified traditional Country, and year group, used in promotional materials for the competition, including shown on the Yarning website and, but not limited to, the APH website, the department’s social media channels, 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 wellbeing of all participants. All activities related to the competition are conducted in accordance with the department’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework.
11.2 During the winners’ visit to Canberra, all participants must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or nominated responsible adult at all times. The accompanying adult retains duty of care for the child for the duration of the visit.
11.3 The department will ensure that all departmental staff involved in the direct delivery of the competition and the winners’ visit have undertaken appropriate child safety training and hold relevant screening checks.
11.4 The department is committed to respecting inclusivity and cultural safety. Activities will be designed in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and advisors.
11.5 If a participant, parent, guardian, or any other person has a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child in connection with this competition, they should contact the department immediately at yarning.reps@aph.gov.au or by phone to the Program Manager. Concerns will be handled sensitively and in accordance with the department’s complaints and reporting procedures.
11.6 The department may photograph or film participants during the winners’ visit for promotional purposes. Images and video of participants will only be used with prior written consent of the participants’ parent or guardian.

12. Accessibility
12.1 The department is committed to ensuring the Yarning Competition is accessible to all eligible students. Participants who require adjustments to the submission process, entry formats, or winners’ visit activities due to disability, remoteness, or other circumstances are encouraged to contact the department at yarning.reps@aph.gov.au to discuss their needs.
12.2 The department will make reasonable efforts to accommodate accessibility requirements where required, in relation to the competition.

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

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