Aerial view of a Varuna, The National Writers' House. A bright yellow two-storey house with white window frames, a sloped tiled roof, and a gravel driveway, surrounded by trees and luscious garden.

Residencies and Fellowships

Varuna the National Writers’ House offer writers time and space to write in the ‘big yellow house’ in the Blue Mountains, with more than 200 writers attending residencies throughout the year. Each week, we welcome six writers-in-residence, who benefit from one-on-one mentorship, and the support of their peers. Writers can apply to stay at Varuna via one of our fellowship programs, and previous fellowship recipients are invited to join our alumni, who join us for residencies throughout the year. We encourage readings and feedback among writers, but Varuna residencies are mostly self-directed.

Varuna also offers online writing fellowships, designed to deliver a ‘writers residency’ experience from home, as well as writing workshops in the Blue Mountains area, and a number of international exchange programs.

Learn more about Staying at Varuna

Featured

Affirm Press Fellowship

Applications close 9 June

The Affirm Press Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for writers to develop new work through a Varuna residency and editorial feedback.

First Peoples India-Australia Exchange

Applications now closed

First Nations writers are invited to apply for the opportunity to connect with Adivasi writers from India, first in residence at Varuna, then at a four-week residency at Sangam House in Bangalore.

Shanghai Western Sydney Writing Exchange

Applications now closed

A prestigious two-month international residency in Shanghai, China that will run from September to October 2025. Alumni from Western Sydney University and Alumni from Varuna, the National Writers’ House, are invited to apply in 2025 for the 2027 program.

Irish Lamplight Online Fellowship

Applications now closed

Held in collaboration with the Irish Writers Centre, this online fellowship connects writers from Ireland and Australia, with mentorship, networking and peer feedback, plus Q&As.

Writers SA Fellowships

Applications now closed
Two-week fellowships, including writing consultation, are open to Writers SA members who are emerging writers living in South Australia.

Pitch Me! Agent and Publisher Introduction Program

Applications now closed

Open only to writers from Varuna’s recent Fellowship and Masterclass programs, the intention of Pitch Me! is to create opportunities for writers who are seeking a publishing contract or agency agreement.

Varuna Trans and Gender Diverse Fellowship

Applications now closed

Emerging Trans and Gender Diverse writers are invited to apply for a week-long residency at Varuna, 3 - 10 August 2026, benefiting from one-on-one mentorship and and group reading sessions, supported by community.

Copyright Agency First Nations Fellowships

Applications now closed

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers are invited to apply for a week-long writers residency at Varuna in 2026, connecting with other First Nations writers, and benefiting from mentorship, and the sharing of skills and knowledge.

Queensland Writers Centre Fellowships

Applications are now closed

The Queensland Writers Centre offers two Varuna fellowships, both of which include a two-week residency at Varuna, travel subsidy and manuscript consultation, and are open to members of the Queensland Writers Centre.

Varuna Climate Fellowship

Applications now closed

Writers focused on climate change and the environment are invited to apply for a week-long residency, with the opportunity to network and connect with others working across literature, academia, journalism, grassroots organising and activism.

Writing NSW Fellowships

Applications now closed

Writing NSW awards a single one-week Varuna residency to members of Writing NSW for manuscripts, plays or poem collections ready for the next stage of development.

WestWords Varuna Emerging Writers Residency

Applications now closed

The WestWords Varuna Fellowship offers four emerging writers from diverse backgrounds from Western Sydney the opportunity of a week-long residency, supported throughout the week by mentors.

Red Room Poetry Fellowship 2026

Applications now closed

In partnership with Red Room Poetry, this fellowship for six poets includes a residency at Varuna, one-on-one mentorship, and a poetic commission as part of the national Poetry Month in August 2026.

The Writer's Space Online Fellowship for Writers with Disability

Applications closed

Six online fellowships will be offered to writers with disability and/or who are D/deaf, providing mentorship, professional development, and the opportunity for peer feedback.

Whitlam Essay Residency

Applications closed

Six fellowships are available for two-week-long residencies at the Whitlam Prime Ministerial home, at 32 Albert Street Cabramatta, with a focus on essay writing. Applicants can be Western Sydney University students, staff or alumni, and/or Varuna alumni.

Cove Park International Fellowship

Applications now closed

Varuna alumni are eligible to apply for a four-week residency at Cove Park, Scotland, with the opportunity to present at Wigtown Book Festival.

Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship

Applications now closed

The Ann Moyal Non-Fiction Fellowship encourages excellence in non-fiction writing and supports writers developing an original work drawn from the broad fields of the humanities and social sciences. Three writers will be selected for a three-week residency, 28 Sept - 19 Oct 2026.

The Writer's Space Fellowships for Writers with Disability

Applications are now closed

Six two-week residential fellowships will be offered to writers with disability and/or who are D/deaf.

Varuna International Exchange New Zealand

Applications now closed

Varuna is delighted to offer this three-week international exchange to Varuna alumni, held in collaboration with the Michael King Writers Centre and WORD Christchurch in New Zealand.

The Next Chapter Residencies

Applications now closed

Residencies are awarded to recipients of The Wheeler Centre’s Next Chapter program, where four outstanding writers are provided with a year’s mentorship and $15,000 to develop their work.

Roderick Centre Online Fellowship for Regional and Remote Writers

Applications now closed for 2026

This program is presented in partnership with the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing (RCALC) and is open to emerging or established writers, living in regional and remote parts of Australia.

Varuna Residential Fellowships

Applications now closed

Varuna’s most prestigious award, running since 1991. Up to 47 fellowships will be awarded to emerging and established writers across Australia, offering between two and three weeks in residence, with mentorship.

Arts NT Residential Fellowships

Applications now closed

This program is presented in partnership with the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships. Submissions are welcomed from eligible NT-based writers.

The Eleanor Dark Fellowship for Fiction

Applications now closed

Established in memory of Blue Mountains writer Eleanor Dark, this three-week writing fellowship will be awarded to a fiction application of outstanding quality, as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships.

The Eric Dark Fellowship for Non-fiction

Applications now closed

Established in memory of Blue Mountains writer and social activist Eric Dark, this three-week writing fellowship will be awarded for a non-fiction application of outstanding quality in social, historical or political writing.

The Mick Dark Fellowship for Environmental Writing

Applications now closed

Established in memory of Mick Dark, who bequeathed Varuna House to the writers of Australia, this three-week writing fellowship will be awarded to outstanding Environmental Writing.

The Jill Dark Fellowship

Applications now closed

As part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships, a two-week fellowship with travel costs covered and a $600 stipend is awarded to a writer of outstanding talent who is experiencing financial hardship. This Fellowship is made possible in 2025 by a member of our alumni association.

The Varuna First Nations Fellowship

Applications now closed

This three-week fellowship will be awarded to a First Nations writer who applies for a Varuna Residential Fellowship and whose work is of outstanding quality.

Ultimo Press Varuna Residential Fellowships

Applications now closed

The Ultimo Varuna Residential Fellowships are offered to two unpublished writers of a Literary Fiction manuscript, as part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships.

Roderick Centre Residential Fellowship for Regional and Remote Writers

Applications now closed

This program is presented in partnership with the Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing (RCALC) and is part of the Varuna Residential Fellowships. Open to emerging or established writers, living in regional and remote parts of Australia.

Residencies and Fellowships

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