Laureate Program

As we celebrate our fifth year, we're thrilled to introduce something that reflects just how far so many of you have come: the Australian Photographic Prize Laureate Programme.

Over the past five years, thousands of photographers have brought their very best to the competition, year after year. The Laureate Programme is our way of honouring that commitment. It's a long-term recognition system that acknowledges the sustained excellence that comes from continuing to enter, improve, and achieve.

Whether you've been with us since 2022 or you're entering for the first time in 2026, this programme gives you something meaningful to work towards. Create a legacy you build one great image at a time.

Affiliate

5 points

Laureate

20 points

Laureate II

40 points

Laureate III

60 points

Grand Laureate

80 points

How the Laureate Programme Works

The Laureate Programme celebrates members who bring their best over multiple years. Your strongest images earn points, levels unlock as your total grows, and you can follow your progress across competitions.

Where To See Your Progress

Your current tier and the badges you may display are on My Awards in your account. Totals refresh when competition results are published each year.

Earning Points

In each competition, your top 5 entries add to your total. Points are awarded depending on the score received.

For the 2026 Australian Photographic Prize, this is how it works:

Award		Score	Points
	Silver	80	1 point
	Silver with Distinction	85	1.5 points
	Gold	90	2 points
	Gold with Distinction	95	2.5 points

Making Points Count

If you entered Aus Prize in any year from 2022 to 2025, your eligible results from those years already count towards your Laureate total. Just enter again this year or later for them to be recognised. Go to My Awards to see the points you've accumulated from previous years.

When 2026 results are released, your updated Laureate tier will appear there too. At the 2026 awards ceremony, we'll be acknowledging Affiliates on screen and reading out the names of those who have reached Laureate and above. So if you're chasing a title this year, there's no better time to make your five entries count.

The path to Grand Laureate is a long one, and that's exactly the point. It represents years of dedication, growth, and consistently outstanding work. We can't wait to see you progress along it.