If you’re a student with big ideas and zero interest in playing it safe, this is your sign to flaunt your creativity and get noticed by Australia’s top designers
Are you in Year 10, 11 or 12? This is your chance to be seen by leading Australian creatives, build your portfolio (hello, future you!), and win awesome prizes. The 2026 Bright Awards are brought to you by Billy Blue College of Design at Torrens University Australia, known for its bold ideas and creative vision.
Why enter?
It’s free and easy to enter. The 2026 competition categories are:
- Architecture & Interiors
- Creative Media
- Fashion Design, Marketing & Textiles
- Gaming
- Photography
- Visual Arts
Each category finalist scores:
- $1,000 cash
- Adobe Creative Cloud licence (worth $1,055)
One standout finalist takes out the Pinnacle Award for Creativity & Innovation Excellence, winning:
- 50% scholarship to study design or creative tech*
- $5,000 for your school
*Note: only Year 12 students are eligible for the scholarship.
Build your portfolio
“Developing my entry for the Bright Awards was such a fun and enjoyable process,” says Emily Carr, 2025’s Architecture and Interiors Category Winner, and Pinnacle Award in Creativity and Innovation Excellence winner.
“The opportunity challenged me to consider the environmental, sustainable, and economic challenges of building homes, and gave me a small glimpse of what is required to respond to such a serious social challenge,” she explains.
“I’m thrilled and grateful to have been recognised through this award and to have been able to further develop my skills.”
Will this be you in 2026?
Enter now!
Want the full rundown? Check out the categories, judges, prizes and all the good stuff at the Bright Awards website.
Top tip: make sure you read all the criteria set out in the competition T&Cs!
This article was brought to you in partnership with Torrens University, home of Billy Blue College of Design.
