The Underwater Awards Australasia 2025 is now accepting entries. The premier underwater imaging competition focused on the Australasian region is a three-way collaboration between DPG, Underwater Australasia, and UW Images. This year, entrants are competing for prizes in nine categories, including the contest’s unique “Reels Showcase” video category, with the top image or video among the category winners receiving the distinction of “Best of Show.”
This year’s prize pool has increased in value by more than 40% compared to last year, to a total of A$70,000! The prizes 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. The prestigious judging panel comprises photo judges Tobias Friedrich, Jayne Jenkins, Matty Smith, Tanya Houppermans, Scott Portelli and William Tan; and video judges Philip Hamilton and Ross Long.
The competition will culminate in an exhibition and awards ceremony at Go Diving Show ANZ in Sydney, in September 2025. 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 the proceeds going to Environmental Partners Australian Marine Conservation Society and Take 3 for the Sea.
Head over to UnderwaterCompetition.com to find out more about the categories, prizes and judging panel, and make sure to read the rules and guidelines carefully before submitting. Entry fees are US$10 per image or video entered. The competition closes on July 20th, 2025.
