Terms and Conditions

The Department of the House of Representatives (the department) proudly presents the My First Speech competition – an initiative designed to provide secondary school students across Australia with a platform to share their unique experiences, perspectives and passions.

These terms and conditions are designed to ensure the fair and transparent operation of the My First Speech competition.

By participating in this competition, entrants agree to comply with these terms and conditions.

1. The purpose of the My First Speech competition is to raise awareness of the federal Parliament among young Australians, by encouraging students to voice their opinions as if they were making their first speech as a newly-elected member of the House of Representatives.

2. The My First Speech competition opens 10.00 am AEST Monday 25^th May 2026 and closes 11.59 pm AEST Wednesday 15^th July 2026.

3. By entering the My First Speech competition, the entrant agrees that copyright of their entry becomes the property of the department and can be shared with the Australian Parliament, and that the department and Parliament reserves the right to use, reproduce, adapt and exhibit the speech at Australian Parliament House and online on the department’s and Parliament’s websites and social media accounts.

4. Any entrant under 18 years old must have a parent or guardian’s permission. This signed consent will be incorporated into the entry form.

5. There is no cost to submit an entry into the My First Speech competition.

6. Each entry must be submitted in digital format via the online entry portal on the My First Speech website.

7. By entering the My First Speech competition, the participant warrants that their entry is their own and original work.

8. Entries must not include any material offensive to any specific racial, gender, religious, sexual or other group, or contain swearing, slurs or sexual suggestions. Any entries deemed inappropriate will not be eligible for the competition.

9. Entries should be appropriate to a broad audience and demonstrate respect and consideration of others.

10. Entries must not contain any material (music, logos, text etc) that infringes the copyright of any third party.

11. The competition will be judged by a panel of professionals, which will include members of the Australian Parliament and parliamentary officers.

12. The judging process will be conducted in two stages, Shortlisting and Final judging to select the winners from each year group.

13. The decisions of the judges are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

14. In the event that the entrant is awarded a prize, the person named as the entrant on the entry form will be the sole recipient of said prize. Prizes are not negotiable or transferable.

15. The entry must be no longer than 300 words, entries over 300 words will be disqualified.

16. Winning entrants will be notified by phone and be confirmed by email. Winners will also be published on the Parliament’s websites and social media accounts.

17. Entrants that breach these Terms and conditions are subject to disqualification.

18. Late or incomplete entries will not be considered.

19. Prizes will include;
– a expenses-paid invitation to Canberra for the winner and a guardian
– a formal presentation for the winner and a guardian, where the winner will receive a certificate and present their entry at Parliament House
– participation in a program at Parliament House, including a tour and attendance at Question Time in the House of Representatives, a morning tea with the Speaker of the House and members of parliament.
– being showcased on the My First Speech website and the Department of the House of Representatives social media channels.

20. The department will collect personal information (name, contact details, age, school, etc.) for the purpose of administering the competition and promoting the winners. This information will be handled in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988.

21. By entering the competition, participants agree to have their names, likeness and entries used in promotional materials for the competition, including, but not limited to, the My First Speech website, social media, and press releases.

22. The department is not responsible for any technical issues, such as internet connectivity or problems with submissions, that may prevent participation.

23. The department reserves the right to modify or cancel the competition at any time, without prior notice, for any reason.

24. The Department of the House of Representatives is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants. All activities related to the competition will adhere to the child safety policies of the department, including appropriate supervision for the winners’ visit to Canberra.


Contact Information

For any questions or additional information about the competition, please contact us via email: MyFirstSpeech.reps@aph.gov.au