ACMF National Songwriting Competition is Back

ACMF National Songwriting Competition is a nationwide initiative designed to encourage creativity and self-expression through songwriting, and is now in its 19^th year.

Students from schools across Australia are invited to put pen to paper and enter their original song with winners receiving prize-money which can be allocated towards musical equipment or tuition.

We have to encourage creativity in children. The current education system does not prioritise this – how else will children dream and blossom, if not through creativity? Songwriting is a vital form of self-expression. Songwriting has stopped children self-harming. It has allowed them to speak about abuse and trauma. It has allowed them to express love and forgiveness. It can increase literacy. It can promote understanding.  This competition encourages every child, in every Australian state and territory to explore and create, and engage with learning in such a positive way. It’s very important to the work of the ACMF, and myself in particular.” Don Spencer , Founder of the ACMF

All entries must be submitted online no later than 5pm on September 16, 2021.

Enter as a school, or independently, as a group/band or individual. All entrants must be school students aged 17 or younger, and be between K to year 12 this school year. 

The ACMF Songwriting Competition is free to enter. However, as the ACMF is a registered charity, we do strongly encourage entrants to consider making a donation to the ACMF, along with their song submissions.

Your support enables us to continue our important work – bringing life-changing music education programs and instruments to disadvantaged children and youth-at-risk throughout Australia. To make a donation, click here.

Read the ACMF National Songwriting Competition Terms and Conditions and get your entries ready!

APATA Members – Wakakirri are proud sponsors of the ACMF National Songwriting Competition along with oOH!, APRA AMCOS, AIM, Future Generation Australia and Warner Music Australia and we look forward to learning the results of the competition later this year.

Lucy Parle was a 2020 ACMF winner and also won 1st prize in her category in the world’s largest/competitive International Songwriting Competition – with judges including @dualipa @coldplay & @tomwaits for her song Back Up. She has since signed a record & publishing label.