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Return of the ‘Nature in Focus’ Photography Competition!

We’re proud to announce the return of the Nature in Focus Photography Competition!

Last year’s competition attracted around 500 entries from across Australia, showcasing the extraordinary biodiversity and sustainability efforts across this great land.

This competition is open to EVERYONE, with categories for both adults and juniors to show off their amazing photography skills.

With nearly $8,000 worth of prizes to be won, show us how you keep Nature in Focus!

Highlighting Australian nature, conservation efforts, and sustainability.

Conservation Volunteers Australia is committed to ensuring Australia’s natural wonders and unique biodiversity continues to thrive for generations to come.

We want people to understand and learn about our unique species and ecosystems – many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

As part of this photography competition, we want YOU to take photos of these special species and ecosystems.

Whether it’s taking a snap of coastal mangroves at sunset, spotting a curious bandicoot in your local grasslands during a morning walk, or capturing a native lizard having a crawl in the outback desert, we want to see the vastness of Australia’s biodiversity and species.

From regional towns to bustling cities, Australia has a wide range of beautiful landscapes and wonderful creatures. We also have people doing their bit for nature, practicing sustainability, and using traditional knowledge and practices. Show us through your photography why taking action for nature is so important!

Be part of the change!

Entry Portal: opening July 4

Photo Categories

Oceans, Wetlands and Rivers

Dive into the diverse ecosystems of Australia’s aquatic wonderlands through this category dedicated to oceans, wetlands, and rivers. From the depths of the oceans teeming with marine life, to the tranquil beauty of wetlands and the meandering flow of rivers, this category celebrates the vital role these environments play in our world.

What We’re Looking For:

1. Biodiversity and Habitats: Capture the rich biodiversity of oceans, wetlands, and rivers, showcasing the variety of species that inhabit these environments. From colourful coral reefs to mangrove forests, rivers, and creeks, highlight the unique habitats that support life.

2. Natural Landscapes: Showcase the natural beauty and landscapes shaped by these aquatic environments. Whether it’s a serene wetland at dawn, a thriving coral reef, or the majestic flow of a river, your photograph could celebrate awe-inspiring landscapes shaped by water.

3. Human Interaction: Illustrate the interaction between humans and these aquatic environments, whether it’s sustainable practices, recreational activities, or people volunteering to ensure these ecosystems thrive into the future. Your photograph could capture the many ways we interact with aquatic ecosystems every day.

4. Conservation and Preservation: Highlight efforts and initiatives aimed at conserving and preserving oceans, wetlands, and rivers. Your photograph could showcase restoration projects, protected areas, or the resilience of these environments in the face of environmental challenges.

5. Traditional Knowledge and Practices: Document the traditional knowledge and practices that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have developed to sustainably interact with oceans, wetlands, and rivers. This could include traditional fishing techniques, Indigenous conservation practices, Indigenous crafts using wetland plants, or Land and Sea Rangers in action.

The oceans, wetlands, and rivers category aims to raise awareness about the importance of these vital ecosystems and inspire action towards their conservation. Through your lens, capture the beauty, complexity, and significance of oceans, wetlands, and rivers, and help us showcase their remarkable diversity and fragility.

Sustainability

In an era where Nature Stewardship is crucial for the health of people and the planet, the Sustainability category invites photographers to explore and capture the essence of sustainable living, practices, and innovations. This category celebrates human efforts in striving for a balance with nature that ensures the wellbeing of our planet for future generations.

What We’re Looking For:

1. Innovative Solutions: Showcase creative solutions and innovations that promote sustainability. This could include renewable energy sources, eco-friendly technologies, sustainable agriculture, or circular economy practices.

2. Nature and Conservation: Highlight the beauty and importance of natural ecosystems and conservation efforts. From protected areas to wildlife habitats, illustrate the impact of sustainable practices on biodiversity and ecosystem health.

3. Community and Culture: Document how sustainability is integrated into communities and culture. Show examples of local initiatives, traditional Cultures and knowledge, and community-led projects that promote environmental sustainability.

4. Urban Sustainability: Explore how cities and urban areas are adopting sustainable practices. This could include green infrastructure, urban agriculture and community gardens, waste reduction efforts, and transportation innovations.

The Sustainability category aims to inspire and raise awareness about sustainable practices, innovations, and their impact on the environment and communities around Australia. Through your lens, capture the spirit of sustainability and contribute to the National conversation on building a more sustainable future.

Species and Habitats 

Celebrate the remarkable diversity of life on Earth through the Species and Habitats category, which invites photographers to explore and capture the beauty, uniqueness, and importance of Australian native species and their habitats.

What We’re Looking For:

1. Native Species: Showcase the richness of species found in different habitats, from terrestrial to aquatic environments. Highlight endangered or lesser-known species, the native species that we see every day, those thriving in their natural habitats, or those that have adapted to living in our urban environments.

2. Habitats: Capture the essence of diverse habitats, including forests, grasslands, mountains, wetlands, oceans, urban environments, and more. Show the intricate relationships between species and their environments.

3. Traditional Knowledge and Practices: Capture traditional knowledge and practices that contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of species and habitats. This could include traditional land management techniques that promote biodiversity, or species that have cultural uses, such as food and medicine.

4. Conservation Challenges: Illustrate the challenges faced by species and habitats today, such as habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and human-wildlife conflict. Showcase the efforts and initiatives aimed at conservation and restoration.

The Species and Habitats category aims to highlight the beauty, diversity, and fragility of life on Earth. It encourages photographers to explore the intricate relationships between species and their habitats while recognising the activities that contribute to their conservation. Through your lens, capture the essence of these ecosystems and contribute to the efforts to highlight biodiversity conservation and sustainability.

Judging Criteria: 

• Relevance to Theme: How well does the photograph capture the theme? Is the connection to the theme clear and compelling?

• Visual Impact: The aesthetic quality and visual appeal of the photograph, including consideration of composition, lighting, colour, and overall artistic expression.

• Narrative and Storytelling: Does the photograph and its accompanying caption tell a story or convey a message related to the theme?

Age groups:

• K – Year 2: using any camera.

• Year 3 – Year 6: using any camera.

• High School (Years 7 –12): for those under 18 years of age and using an SLR or smart phone.

• Adult Smartphone: for those 18 years old and over and using a smartphone.

• Adult Professional: for those 18 years old and over and using an SLR or professional camera.

Enter at the link below to get started! The competition closes at 11.00pm AEST, September 26th 2025.

Submission Guidelines:

Participants may submit one (1) photograph per entry, per category. Can make multiple submissions.

Participants can enter multiple categories if they qualify.

Photographs must be submitted in digital format.

Submissions should not be digitally altered beyond standard optimization (e.g. colour correction, cropping).

The competition closes at 11:59pm AEST, September 26th, 2025.

See Terms and Conditions – Nature In Focus Photo Competition 2025

Prizes:

		Individual	School – Native plant vouchers
Oceans, Wetlands and Rivers	K-2	$200	$200
	Yr 3-6	$200	$200
	Yr 7 – 12	$300	$200
	Adult phone	$500
	Adult SLR	$500
Sustainability	K-2	$200	$200
	Yr 3-6	$200	$200
	Yr 7 – 12	$300	$200
	Adult phone	$500
	Adult SLR	$500
Species and Habitats	K-2 FIRST	$200	$200
	Yr 3-6	$200	$200
	Yr 7 – 12	$300	$200
	Adult phone	$500
	Adult SLR	$500
Lyn Beazley Encouragement Award		$400
People’s Choice Award		$500

**Schools will win a gift voucher for a local nursery.

Awards

• The People’s Choice Award will be decided by vote on CVA’s social media.
• The Lyn Beazley Encouragement Award acknowledges students who demonstrate a connection with Australia’s biodiversity and show promise in their ability to express themselves through photography. *Students who identify with a disability or learning difficulty are eligible for this award.

Lyn was Western Australia’s Chief Scientist from 2006 to 2013 and has been a long-time ambassador and judge in the Chevron Focus Environment Competition. She believes that the photographic lens can help inspire people to protect Australia’s precious environment.

The Nature in Focus Photography Competition is proudly supported by Chevron Australia and Caltex Australia.