This is the only national playwriting award to guarantee a mainstage production by a major performing arts company - Queensland Theatre - to writers, collectives, and independent companies from across the country. 

Since 2002, Queensland Theatre in partnership with the Queensland Government has recognised outstanding playwrights. Now, the Queensland Premier's Drama Award (QPDA), one of Australia's most prestigious awards, enters a bold new chapter - more ambitious than ever.

For the 2026 Award, we're doing things differently. Queensland Theatre is ideas-led: we are interested in developing The Right Idea at The Right Time. We want to work with you (an individual artist, or an independent company or collective) to create bold and brilliant theatre from the kernel-out. We're here to support, collaborate and work with you to tell your story.

The winner recieves:

• $30,000 prize money with contribution by Griffith University
• Full commission fee to develop the play
• A world premiere production in Queensland Theatre's 2027 Season, including box office royalties.

1. The Award is open to all Australian citizens and permanent residents who have an idea for a new play that has never been professionally produced. Playwrights of all ages, emerging or established, are encouraged to enter.

2. Entries are restricted to no more than ONE pitch per individual/collective and only one sample of writing.

3. Submissions with First Nations themes, content, and characters, which do not meet Creative Australia protocols regarding Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property are not eligible for entry.

4. Eligible submissions will not previously have had a professional public performance or existing draft.

5. Pitches cannot be under commission by, or otherwise have any contractual obligations with, any other theatre company.

6. Ideas currently or previously commissioned by Queensland Theatre are not eligible for entry.

7. Permanent full-time or part-time employees of Queensland Theatre are not eligible to enter.

8. Submissions must be original ideas or, if adaptations, have written consent of the originating author/s to use the text for adaptation. Rights to other copyrighted materials featured in the submission should also be sought by the applicant. Queensland Theatre will not be liable for any third-party licensing arrangements but will expect to see written evidence of the rights being granted by the rights-holder to the playwright.

9. All submissions should be submitted either in English, or the applicant should provide Queensland Theatre with an English translation if the work is in a language other than English.

10. The judges' decision is final, and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into.

11. Shortlisted and finalist applicants will agree to participate in promotional campaigns arranged by Queensland Theatre and/or the Queensland Government through the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

12. Queensland Theatre shall have the first option to produce, or further develop, the work of the two finalists not selected as the winner.

13. The winning applicant/s assign/s to Queensland Theatre the option to produce their work. However, Queensland Theatre does not commit to programming or producing the work if its presentation is likely to damage the profile and reputation of the award, Queensland Theatre, and/or the Queensland Government.

14. Breach of the conditions of entry will render an application invalid whether prospectively or retrospectively.

• Address: 78 Montague Road SOUTH BRISBANE 4101 QLD
• Phone: 07 3010 7607
• Email: programming@queenslandtheatre.com.au