Eligibility
- Entry is open to enthusiast, professional and student woodworkers based in Australia.
- A professional is defined as anyone who has earned more than $2,000 AUD from woodworking-related activities within a single calendar year.
- Collaborative entries are permitted, provided all contributors are named in the entry. Any prize will be awarded collectively to the entry and delivered to one nominated Australian address.
- Employees of Timbecon and participating competition sponsors are not eligible to enter.
- Contributors who received payment from Timbecon for content during 2026 or 2027 are not eligible to enter.
- Timbecon reserves the right to review an entrant’s background where there is uncertainty regarding their selected division.
- If an entrant is found to have misrepresented their status—for example, by submitting a professional entry in the Enthusiast or Student division—Timbecon may disqualify the entry or move it to the appropriate division. This decision will be made at the discretion of Timbecon and the Against the Grain judging panel.
Entry Requirements
- Projects must be made primarily from wood, although other materials may be incorporated.
- Projects must have been created between 10 October 2026 and the competition closing date in April 2027.
- Projects must not have previously been entered in an Against the Grain competition.
- Entrants may submit multiple projects and may enter the same project in more than one category where applicable. A separate entry fee and entry form are required for each submission.
- Entries must fit within the footprint of a standard Australian pallet for transport and display. Maximum dimensions are 1.165 m wide × 1.165 m deep × approximately 2 m high.
- Oversized entries may be disqualified or deemed ineligible for exhibition unless prior written approval has been obtained from Timbecon.
- If selected as a finalist, the project must be available for in-person judging and exhibition at the 2027 Tools, Timber & Techniques event.
- Timbecon will cover reasonable freight costs associated with transporting finalists’ projects to and from the event. Freight arrangements must be approved by Timbecon in advance.
- Finalists are responsible for packing their projects securely and appropriately for transport. Timbecon accepts no responsibility for loss or damage resulting from inadequate or unsuitable packaging.
Image Requirements
- Each entry must include clear, high-quality photographs of the individual project. A minimum of five and a maximum of eight images may be submitted.
- Image collages will not be accepted.
- Photographs must accurately represent the physical project and must be wholly photographic. AI-generated imagery, computer-generated renders or tools used to create or materially alter the appearance of the project are not permitted.
- Basic photographic adjustments—including cropping, exposure, contrast, colour correction and sharpening—are permitted, provided they do not materially alter the project or add, remove or modify elements.
- JPEG is the preferred file format. PNG and GIF files are also accepted.
- Images must measure at least 2,500 pixels along the longest edge.
- The maximum file size is 2 MB per image.
- Images must not contain watermarks, logos or other branding. Entries containing these elements may be disqualified.
- If photographs were taken by a third-party photographer, the entrant must have permission for Timbecon to use the images for promotional purposes. The photographer’s name must also be included in the submission.
Copyright & Usage
- Entrants retain ownership of their submitted projects and imagery.
- By entering, entrants grant Timbecon a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to reproduce, publish and use submitted images and entry information for competition-related promotional purposes across online, print, email and social media channels.
- Timbecon will credit the maker wherever reasonably possible.
- Entrants must be the original makers of the submitted projects.
- Any third-party design, pattern or plan used in the creation of a project must be clearly acknowledged and credited in the entry.
Categories & Pricing
- Entry fees are in AUD and charged per submission.
- The entry fee covers the logistical cost of transporting the submission, if selected as a finalist, to the event venue at Timbecon, 594 Edgars Road, Epping VIC 3076.
- Categories are:
- Functional & Furniture – Practical pieces such as tables, chairs, cabinets, and other functional items.
- Artistic & Ornamental – Decorative and creative pieces including carvings, sculptures, instruments, and ornamental designs.
- Australian Woodturning – A revival of the classic event, this category celebrates lathe-based creations such as bowls, vases, spindles, and other turned pieces.
- Additional cross-category awards may include: People’s Choice Award and Captain's Choice.
Judging
- Judging is conducted by a panel of expert woodworkers, woodturners, artists, and designers selected by Timbecon.
- Entries will be judged on (but not limited to):
1. Design and originality
2. Skill, technique, and build quality
3. Functionality (where applicable)
4. Attention to detail
5. Use of materials - The judges’ decisions are final. No correspondence will be entered into.
Dates & Deadlines
- Entries open: 8:30 am AEDT on 31 January, 2027
- Entries close: 11:59 pm AEST on 31 August, 2027
- Finalists announced: 10 September, 2027
- Invitational Awards Night: 8 October, 2027
- Winners announced: 8 October, 2027
- Finalists’ projects will be exhibited at TT&T Melbourne: October 9, 2027
Prizes
- Prizes may include cash, products, or vouchers.
- Prizes are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.
- If a prize becomes unavailable, Timbecon reserves the right to substitute it with an item of equal value.
- Timbecon is not responsible for items lost or damaged in transit.
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Prize Breakdown
Fourteen prizes will be awarded. Within each of the three categories, prizes will be awarded under three divisions.
Artistic and Ornamental
Professional $1,000
Enthusiast $1,000
Student $1,000
Overall $2,500
Functional & Furniture
Professional $1,000
Enthusiast $1,000
Student $1,000
Overall $2,500
Australian Woodturning
Professional $1,000
Enthusiast $1,000
Student $1,000
Overall $2,500
In addition, there will be:
People Choice Award $500
Captain's Pick $500
General
- By submitting an entry, entrants confirm that they have read, understood and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.
- Entries that breach these Terms and Conditions may be disqualified, and any associated prizes may be withheld or forfeited.
- Timbecon reserves the right to verify information provided by entrants and request further information where reasonably necessary.
- Timbecon reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions, adjust competition dates or cancel the competition where reasonably necessary.
- Any material changes will be communicated through the competition website or directly to affected entrants where practical.
- To the extent permitted by law, Timbecon is not responsible for any loss, damage, delay or disruption caused by circumstances outside its reasonable control.