Eligibility and guidelines
Entries to the 2026 Stella Prize will open in July 2025
The winner of the 2026 Stella Prize will be awarded $60,000. Shortlisted authors will each receive $5,000 and longlisted authors will each receive $2,000.
Entry periods
All entries
Entries are accepted from 9am (AEST) Monday 14 July until 5pm (AEST) Sunday 5 October 2025.
A discounted early-bird entry fee of $73 (GST inclusive) applies from 9am (AEST) Monday 14 July 2024 to 9am (AEST) Monday 25 August 2025. General entries open on Monday 25 August 2025 at 10am. The entry fee for general entries is $94 (GST inclusive).
Entries of books published between October and December 2025
Stella accepts books published between 01 January 2025 until 31 December 2025, however entries must be submitted before the close of general entries on Sunday 5 October 2025.
Please upload a media release about the book with your entry if the final digital file is not available yet. Final electronic files must be received before 30 November 2025.
Help change the story
As a not-for-profit organisation with ambitious goals, Stella relies on the generous support of donors to help fund our work.
Every donation is important to us and allows Stella to continue its role as the leading voice for gender equality and cultural change in Australian literature.
Stella is a not-for-profit organisation with DGR status. All donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible.
