Key Points

  • What Matters? Writing competition is for students in years 5-12.
  • Tasmanian and National awards and prizes.
  • Results for 2025 What Matters? Tasmanian were announced on Friday, 8 August 2025.
What Matters? Writing Competition with 3 cartoon hands holding a pencil, and stars over a light blue background.

About the ‘What Matters?’ writing competition

This competition is inspired by Gough Whitlam’s commitment to involving young people in shaping Australia’s future. Students are asked to respond to the simple question ‘what matters?’ and are free to express their views on any matter they care about. Entries can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry or prose of up to 600 words. 

Part writing exercise, part civics and citizenship activity, What Matters? is the perfect opportunity to empower students to raise their voices on issues that are important to them. To know that their perspectives are valuable, no matter their age, background or viewpoint.

National awards and prizes

The What Matters? writing competition is run by the Whitlam Institute (within Western Sydney University).

There are some amazing prizes to be won for students and their schools. Prizes are awarded for Overall Winner, Category Awards and Sponsored Awards. Check out the What Matters? prize pool on the Whitlam website for more information.

Discover the 2025 winning entries by accessing the Whitlam Institute’s website.

Tasmanian State Awards and Prizes

Tasmanian students who enter the national competition are automatically entered into What Matters? Tasmania. Like the national competition, prizes are awarded in four categories: Years 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12.

Category Winners receive $350, and $200 is awarded to each Category Runner Up.

An Overall Tasmanian Winner is selected from the Category Winners. They will receive an additional prize provided by the Department for Education, Children and Young People.

For more information about the Tasmanian State Awards, contact Learning Events learning.events@decyp.tas.gov.au.

2025 Tasmanian State Award Winners

Year 5 & 6 Category

Year 7 & 8 Category

Year 9 & 10 Category

Year 11 & 12 Category

Overall Tasmanian

2024 Tasmanian State Award Winners

Year 5 & 6 Category

Year 7 & 8 Category

Year 9 & 10 Category

Year 11 & 12 Category

Overall Tasmanian

On this page
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  1. Key Points
  2. About the ‘What Matters?’ writing competition
  3. National awards and prizes
  4. Tasmanian State Awards and Prizes
  5. 2025 Tasmanian State Award Winners
  6. 2024 Tasmanian State Award Winners

Learning

  1. School terms and holidays
  2. Find your local school
  3. Vocational Learning
  4. Enrolling in school
  5. Early years learning
  6. Primary school to year 12
  7. Career pathways for students
  8. Attending school
  9. Supporting student need
  10. Learning programs and centres
  11. Aboriginal Education Services
  12. LGBTIQA+ equality in Tasmanian government schools
  13. LGBTIQA+ equality and inclusion in education
  14. International students studying in Tasmanian Government schools
  15. Awards and scholarships for students
    1. Alma Lily Stackhouse Scholarship
    2. Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarships
    3. What Matters? writing competition
    4. The Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize
    5. Tasmanian Training Awards
    6. WorldSkills Australia competitions
  16. Information for schools and educators

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