2023 Heritage Bank Photographic Awards open

9 May 2023

Calling all photography enthusiasts! A snap taken on your phone or camera could earn you a share in a $50,000 prize pool from the 2023 Heritage Bank Photographic Awards, open for entries now until 30 June.  

Now in its 35th year, the awards are one of most lucrative and diverse in the country, designed to encourage photographers of all ages and skill levels to take part. 

Among the major prizes is $15,000 each across two categories: the Open category, which can be any subject, and this year’s Theme Category, “Firsts”. The Illustrative category for digitally manipulated images also returns this year with a prize of $5,000 and no limits to post-production creativity.  Entrants can also shoot for the CEO’s Choice and Mobile Phone Award, with a further $5,000 prize each. There are also prizes on offer in three youth categories: 9 years or younger, 10-13, and 14-17.

Following the merger of Heritage and People’s Choice earlier this year, CEO Peter Lock said continuing the Photographic Awards highlighted the organisation’s commitment to communities.  

“We support many community events and organisations – large and small – as part of our absolute commitment to strengthening the communities where our members live and work,” Mr Lock said.

“Our community spirit is why we run events such as the Heritage Bank Photographic Awards. That approach will never change.  

“We’ve focussed on making the awards as accessible and as inclusive as possible through free entry and categories for people across Australia to take part in, no matter their age, or level of experience.

“All you need is a mobile phone and you could be in the running for a share in $50,000.”

Mr Lock said this year’s Theme Category of “Firsts” offered the perfect opportunity for people to unleash their creative talents and interpretations.

“This year’s theme of ‘Firsts’ has so much room for interpretation – it could be anything from capturing a child’s first step, memories of a first love and more. 

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to tell a story and share some really emotive and thought-provoking images.”

Entries in this year’s awards close at 5pm AEST on 30 June 2023. The winners will be advised in late July and finalist images will feature in an exhibition at the UniSQ Arts Gallery in Toowoomba from mid-September 2023. 

 Summary of main prizes on offer: 

• $15,000 for overall winner of the Open Category 
• $15,000 for overall winner of the Theme Category 
• $5,000 for the winner of the Illustrative Category 
• $5,000 for the best image taken on a mobile phone
• $5,000 for the CEO’s Choice
• And more!  

Full details available at heritage.com.au/photocomp