Application form

The online application is scheduled to open in October 2025.

Award applications will close at 5pm AEST Friday, 20 March 2026.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Applicants must complete the online application form and upload the following:

Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must upload a Curriculum Vitae outlining:

• Degrees, qualifications and formal studies
• Performances, prizes, scholarships and awards
• Relevant professional experience and future ambitions

Birth Certificate

All applicants must upload a copy of their certified Birth Certificate.

Identity verification

Australian citizens must upload a copy of either their:

• certified current valid Australian passport, or
• other certified official documentation proving Australian citizenship

Applicants who are not Australian citizens must upload a copy of a:

• certified proof of permanent Australian residency, or
• statutory declaration confirming they have lived in Australia for at least four of the five years immediately prior to the Award application closing date

Audition recording

Applicants must prepare an audition recording of their performance and submit it as an uncompressed WAV file.

The recording must contain 20 to 30 minutes of unedited performance, recorded within the 18 months prior to the Award application closing date.

While the full audition recording does not need to be recorded in one continuous take, each individual item must be unedited.

The recording must include three distinct compositional styles, each selected from a different Repertoire Group as outlined in the 2026 Award Rules and Information.

Applicants are fully responsible for the quality and format of the recording.

Only uncompressed WAV files will be accepted. The Award will not convert files submitted in other formats and incorrect file formats will not be accepted.

$80 entry fee

Applicants must pay the $80 entry fee via EFT to:

• Account name: Australian National Piano Award Inc.
• Bank: Bendigo Bank
• BSB: 633 000
• Account: 154 440 754
• Description: Applicant’s full name

Applicants must upload a copy of the EFT receipt as proof of payment.

Assessing applications

Award adjudicators will assess applications based on:

• the technical demands of the chosen repertoire and the level of mastery demonstrated
• understanding of the national, historical and cultural context of the works
• the stylistic, emotional and intellectual qualities shown in performance
• the consistency of standard across various styles and throughout the selection