The Writer's Space Fellowships for Writers with Disability
Writers with disability or who are D/deaf are invited to apply for a two-week fellowship at Varuna, with one-on-one mentorship and all travel costs covered.
Applications open: Tues 4 August 2026
Applications close: Midnight AEST 8 September 2026
Residency dates: Between January - July 2027
Places: Eight writers will be selected. Two places will be reserved for First Nations writers.
Who should apply: Writers at any career stage living anywhere in Australia, who have disability and/or are D/deaf.
Fees: There are no application fees for this fellowship
FAQs: Please read the FAQs before you apply. Accessibility information about Varuna can be found here.
Writers with disability and/or are D/deaf who are developing new work are invited to apply for a two-week residency at Varuna.
Assessors will be looking at the artistic merit of the work sample that you submit, your commitment to the writing craft, and how this Fellowship will benefit your professional development. Consideration will also be given to the impact a lack of access has had on your career development. Eight writers will be selected with two places awarded to First Nations writers.
Assessors of the program will be writers with disability.
Residency fellowships include:
A two-week residency at Varuna, including all food and a prepared evening meal, with uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio, and the companionship of your fellow writers.
Reimbursement of travel expenses between Varuna and your home.
Two one-hour sessions (one-on-one) with a Varuna writing consultant Dr Carol Major, Tegan Bennett Daylight or Mary Anne Butler.
You will find answers to some common questions in our FAQ.
Please letus know if you would like to receive any information in an alternative format.
For more information about staying at Varuna, visit our Residencies page.
TESTIMONIALS
“Varuna was an incredible experience. It was absolutely wonderful to have the time and space to think and write. The house is a delightful space, and kept us warm and cosy during a brisk June residency. The catering was well-planned and delicious, and it was brilliant to spend time with fellow writers, all who brought a unique voice to the house. I would highly recommend the experience!”
“My Varuna fellowship was transformative, creatively nourishing and magical. My manuscript is all the better for it, and I’ve been able to connect with writers that I wouldn’t have otherwise met. This rare opportunity enabled me to fully focus on my creative practice, with Varuna staff taking deep, genuine care in my experience at the house.”
HOW TO APPLY
You will need to complete our application form and send us a 4,000 to 10,000 word writing sample from the beginning of your manuscript.
For plays and screenplays, you may submit 10 pages, or more if the total doesn’t exceed 10,000 words. For poetry, you may submit up to 10 poems. For graphic novels, children’s literature and hybrid forms that include illustration or artwork, you may submit a combination of text and image of 10 pages, or more if the total doesn’t exceed 10,000 words.
Assessors will be looking at the artistic merit of the work sample that you submit, your commitment to the writing craft, and how this Fellowship will benefit your professional development. Consideration will also be given to the impact a lack of access has had on your career development.
Eight writers will be selected with two places going to First Nations writers.
For more information, please read our FAQs.
Please refer to Varuna’s general submission guidelines for any questions on formatting your work.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants need to be an Australian citizen or have a permanent residency visa and be over 18 years old. Exemption may be given to permanent residency criteria, but only in the circumstances of recently arrived migrants/refugees.
If you have received a Writer’s Space residential fellowship in 2024, 2025 or 2026, you are not eligible to apply. Recipients of Writer’s Space online fellowships and other Varuna programs are eligible to apply.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.
