The Underwater Awards Australasia 2026 is now accepting submissions. The premier underwater imaging competition focused on the Australasian region is a three-way collaboration between the long-established Underwater Australasia, leading underwater photography and videography resource DivePhotoGuide, and underwater imaging equipment and dive gear distributor UW Images.
The competition calls for passionate underwater shooters from around the world to submit their most captivating and compelling images and videos from the Australasian region. Shooters are invited to immerse themselves in the challenge of capturing the essence of this extraordinary realm, where every frame tells a story of the delicate balance and breathtaking beauty that characterises our oceans.
This year, entrants are competing for prizes in nine categories—including the unique new special category “Only Water”—with the top image or video among the category winners receiving the distinction of “Best of Show.” The prestigious judging panel comprises photo judges Tobias Friedrich, Matty Smith, Scott Portelli, and Jayne Jenkins; video judge Ross Long; and special category guest judge Ray Collins.
The prizes, worth almost AU$70,000, include dive trips with the world’s top resorts and liveaboards as well as the latest underwater imaging equipment and dive gear—even an underwater photography drone and an underwater scooter with photographic platform. In addition, organisers will choose one of the category winners to have their work featured in an exclusive cover story in Scuba Diver magazine (ANZ Edition).
The competition will culminate in an exhibition and awards ceremony at Go Diving Show ANZ in Sydney in September 2026. The exhibition will feature high-quality metal prints of the finalist entries in the photo categories. Made by the competition’s Printing Partner PhotoMart, the prints will be available for purchase at the show, with half of the proceeds going to Environmental Partners Australian Marine Conservation Society and Take 3 for the Sea. Winners will be published in the 2027 Australian Marine Conservation Society calendar, with proceeds from sales going to marine conservation. All entry fees from the Conservation category will be donated to our Environmental Partners.
Winners will be revealed on UnderwaterCompetition.com and published by supporting media partners worldwide shortly thereafter. The entry fees are US$10 per image or video entered. The competition closes on July 19th.
