SAARI Collective is committed to platforming and publishing South Asian Australian writers of all ages, including those at the beginning of their careers.

We are currently welcoming essays from high school students between years 9 and 12, to be judged by the SAARI editorial team. The winner will receive a $400 cash prize, as well as a $250 cash prize for two runners-up. All three pieces will be published on SAARI’s website.

To enter, write a 600-to-800 word essay answering the question:

How does being South Asian affect how you form relationships with others?

Entries will be judged on clarity, creativity, uniqueness of point of view, and structure.

Our contest celebrates I Wanna Be Yours, a widely-acclaimed play by South Asian British playwright Zia Ahmed, about falling in love across cultures. The main characters, Haseeb and Ella, have to navigate family, friends, and big questions about identity as they try to find forever with each other. It is part of the VCE Theatre Studies curriculum this year.

The Victorian production is directed by Tasnim Hossain and stars Oz Malik.

Entrants do not have to be VCE Theatre Studies students to participate – everyone from across Australia is welcome!

Click here to access the entry form. You will need your essay ready, as well as parental consent.

Submissions close at 11:59 p.m on August 1.

Terms and Conditions

1. You must be in years 9, 10, 11, or 12 by the final competition deadline.

2. Students from across Australia are welcome. 

3. Essays below the 600-word minimum or above the 800-word maximum will not be accepted. 

4. Files must be submitted in .doc or .docx form only. 

5. Use the following naming format for your file: SAARIessaycontest_[your name]

6. Include your name, year level, and school name on the document itself as well. 

7. Parental consent is required to enter. 

8. The shortlisted essays are subject to SAARI’s editorial process before being published.