Five Islands Prize: For a first book of poetry

We are proud to be providing a significant annual prize that supports emerging poets and honours the publishers who have shown confidence in new poets.

Unique among literary awards, this prize for a first book of poetry includes a cash prize for the publisher as well as the chosen poet.

As many readers and poets know, Five Islands Press was a prominent independent Australian poetry publishing house for thirty-four years, from 1986 until 2007 under the direction of Ron Pretty, then until 2020 under a changing team of editors who kept the press going strongly.

Ron pretty's legacy continues to build through several projects. The most recent incarnation of 5 Islands Press, initiated and administered by Mark Tredinnick and Steve Meyrick publishes the work of new, emerging and established Australian poets. Although the publishing press and the prize share a name, there is no financial, legal, administrative or institutional connection between 5 Islands Press and the Five Islands Poetry Prize. What we do share is a commitment to honouring the memory of a teacher and poet who contributed so much to the cause of Australian poetry. Learn more about 5 Islands Press by visiting their website 5 Islands Press

Visit the Five Islands Press website to learn more about their history.

Emeritus Professor Kevin Brophy AM
Administrator for the Five Islands Prize

The 2023-24 Five Islands Prize was awarded to Jarad Bruinstroop and University of Queensland Press for Reliefs.

Highly Commended (joint):

• Polyp by Ashley Haywood (Vagabond Press) 
• Potty Mouth Potty Mouth by Alex Creece (Cordite Books) 

Commended:

• The Flirtation of Girls by Sara M Saleh (University of Queensland Press)

The 2021-22 Five Islands Prize was awarded to Emilie Collyer and Vagabond Press for Do You Have Anything Less Domestic?

Terms & Conditions

• This is an annual prize for a first already-published book-length collection of poetry by an Australian poet or a poet living and writing in Australia.
• The author of the prize-winning book will receive $3000 and the publisher will receive $1200.
• A book can be entered by the author or publisher.
• The book must contain at least thirty pages of poetry, have an ISBN, and be available through retail sales outlets.
• Self-published books are eligible as long as they meet the above criteria.
• For the 2025-26 Prize, books published between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026 are eligible. 
• Note: the prize aims to support professional publishers, in particular small-press, independent publishers.
• Submissions are open until 15 July 2026.
• There will be three judges, whose decision will be final.
• The Prize will be announced in late November, and presented shortly afterwards.
• Four copies of the submitted book are to be posted to PO Box 68 Brunswick Victoria 3056.
• Books submitted will not be returned.
• An email must be sent to Kevin Brophy at: kevinjb@unimelb.edu.au attesting that this is the poet’s first published book of poetry, and providing the book's publishing date, and contact details for the poet and the publisher.