Enter the 2025 Vanda & Young Global Song Comp

The career-changing Vanda & Young Global Song Comp is back for 2025!

 $80,000 in cash prizes including $50,000 for first place plus 10 x $1000 prizes for emerging songwriters!

 More ears, more perspectives: 70 global judges join the 2025 comp — the largest and most diverse panel in the competition’s history 

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A staple in the international songwriting calendar, the Vanda & Young Global Song Comp returns for its twelfth edition. Renowned for discovering and championing songwriting talent worldwide, the 2024 competition attracted entries from over 52 countries. All funds raised support the transformative work of Noro Music Therapy.

Belinda Leonard, CEO of Noro Music Therapy, reflects, “Every song submitted to the Vanda & Young Competition becomes a lifeline for someone in need. When songwriters pour their hearts into their craft, they're not just creating music – they're creating healing. Thanks to this competition, we're able to bring music therapy to 2,500 clients every week, from toddlers taking their first steps to centenarians sharing their final melodies.”

Since its inception in 2009, the competition has launched and celebrated songwriters across various career stages, many of whom are now among contemporary music’s most acclaimed artists. Notable alumni include King Stingray, Budjerah, Charley, Genesis Owusu, MAY-A, Baker Boy, Thelma Plum, Ruel, Matt Corby, Sarah Aarons, Amy Shark, Gang of Youths, Mallrat, Gretta Ray, and many more.

This year’s first prize offers a career-changing $50,000, with $10,000 awarded to second place, and $5,000 to third. In addition, there is a special prize exclusively for exclusively for an emerging Australasian songwriter of $5,000.

Returning to spotlight emerging global talent, 10 additional prizes of $1,000 each will be awarded to promising songwriters. 

Other prizes include a White Les Paul Special Tribute (valued at $2,999), a Neumann TLM 102 studio microphone (valued at $1,399), and Neumann NDH30 headphones (valued at $1,299).

Early Bird entries are now open until Monday 25 August. During this period, songwriters can enter three songs for the price of two, increasing their chances of winning., and one songwriter who enters in this period will also receive a Gibson Guitar White Les Paul Special Tribute valued at $2,999. Entries are welcomed in any language, genre, or production stage — whether demo, fully produced, released, or unreleased — and must be songs written or co-written by the entrant.

For the first time, the VIP judging panel has expanded to include 70 judges — a diverse mix of songwriters and music industry professionals from across the globe, including Australian judges: Andrew Klippel (Ourness), Annabelle Herd (ARIA), Damian Rinaldi (AMPAL), François Tétaz, Jenny Morris, Marion Goodman-Briand (YouTube), Trials, Kirsty Davison (APRA AMCOS), previous winner Isabella Manfredi, and more. International judges include Loretta Munoz (US, ASCAP), Hayden Bell (SE, The Kennel), Daan Determeijer (Netherlands, BumaSterma), Griffin Goode (US, GMR), Gina Belafonte (US), Hiten Bharadia (UK, Phrased Differently), Greg Haver (NZ), Jim Morgan (US, International Song Comp), Phil Barton (US), Tushar Apte (US), Lani Richmond (US), Warryn Campbell (US), Lucas Keller (US, Milk & Honey), Ralph Peer (UK, Peer Music), Michael Harrison (US, AEG), and more  — ensuring fair and anonymous evaluation of all genres and voices. 

The entry fee is AUD$50(US$33) per song, with submissions accepted worldwide. The competition closes on Monday 15 September.

Since 2009, the competition has raised over $2 million to support Noro Music Therapy’s vital programs, harnessing the healing power of music to improve lives.

Named in honour of legendary Australian songwriters Harry Vanda and George Young (details below), the Vanda & Young Global Song Competition is proudly supported by generous sponsors: Alberts, AMPAL (Australasian Music Publishers' Association Limited), APRA AMCOS, Australis Music Group, Banki Haddock Fiora, Complete Law Pty Ltd, Merrick Property Group, Sony Music Publishing, Neumann, and Volume Foundation.

David Albert, CEO of Alberts, says, “Drawing entries from 52 countries last year, the Vanda & Young Global Song Competition is a truly global platform for songwriters at any stage of their careers. From emerging talent to established acts, it offers an opportunity for artists to share their story and sound with the world, carrying forward Vanda & Young’s legacy and enduring influence. Alberts is proud to continue its long-standing support of the competition, celebrating musical vibrancy and innovation."
 

1ST PRIZE
$50,000
thanks to Alberts, APRA AMCOS, and Sony Music Publishing

2ND PRIZE
$10,000
thanks to Banki Haddock Fiora

3RD PRIZE
$5,000
thanks to Volume Foundation 

 EMERGING AUSTRALASIA
$5,000
thanks to AMPAL (Australasian Music Publishers' Association Limited)

EMERGING GLOBAL SONGWRITERS
10 x $1,000
thanks to Merrick Property Group & Complete Law Pty Ltd
and other anonymous donors

EARLY BIRD PRIZE
Gibson Guitars Les Paul Special Tribute (valued at AUD$2,999)
thanks to Australis Music Group

ADDITIONAL PRIZES
Neumann TLM 102 studio microphone (valued at $1,399) 
Neumann NDH30 headphones (valued at $1,299)
thanks to the Sennheiser Group