Entries for the 2025 BirdLife Australia Photography Awards are now open!
The BirdLife Australia Photography Awards are a collaboration between BirdLife Australia and BirdLife Photography.
Started in 2018, the BirdLife Australia Photography Awards see thousands of entries every year from photographers of all ages and experiences – including some of Australia’s finest.
This year, we’re back with another special theme: Diurnal Raptors: Birds of prey of the day.
Australia is home to 25 species of raptors – or birds of prey – that are active during the day. From the nimble Nankeen Kestrel hovering above a roadside, to the mighty Wedge-tailed Eagle soaring high on a thermal, to the Peregrine Falcon – the fastest animal on earth – raptors have long captured our imagination and inspired awe.
But raptors are both revered and reviled: while renowned for their speed, strength and remarkable vision and hunting abilities, these powerful predators are still widely misunderstood and persecuted, and they’re increasingly under threat from the destruction of their habitats, poisoning, collisions and wildlife crime.
The 2025 BirdLife Australia Photography Awards are proudly sponsored by Nikon Australia and Lake Cowal Foundation.
Thanks to their generous support, each category winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize – with a whopping $2,000 up for grabs for the winner of this year’s Portfolio Prize, courtesy of our Principal Sponsor, Nikon Australia.
This year, we’re also excited to announce our very first Award for BirdLife Australia Photographer of the Year. By entering any competition category, you’ll go in the running to win the Grand Prize – a Nikon Z 8 camera valued at $7,449 RRP.
Remember – the welfare of birds always comes first, and no winning shot should see birds losing out. All entries must adhere to BirdLife Photography’s Code of Ethics.
Photos entered in this category must depict at least one species of Australian raptor, and you can find a full list of eligible species here.
You have until 28 July to enter, but if you enter before 16 June you’ll be eligible for an early bird discount.
We charge a modest entry fee, which supports our bird conservation work and helps fund the prize pool and offset running costs.
A discount for Early Bird entries will apply from 16 May until 16 June 2025.
Prices are per entry, are in AUD and include GST. The prices for the 2025 competition are as follows:
Open Categories
Portfolio Category
Collection of 6 photos per portfolio
Youth Category
For entrants under the age of 18 only
