Eligibility
- Poets must be an Australian citizen or have a permanent residency visa.
- Poets must be 18 years or older to apply.
- All submitted works must be original.
- Poets must have been previously commissioned or programmed by Red Room Poetry, except for those applying to the Emerging Poets Residency in which case this eligibility criteria is waived. More information on this point is outlined in the Frequently Asked Questions.
- Availability is required for a one-week residency at Varuna (25 Aug–1 Sept 2025) or, if applying for the Anywhere Remote Residency, to complete the residency remotely in the same week. These dates are non-transferable.
- Poets must be prepared to record, publish, and speak publicly about your poetry and creative process.
At least one of the six places is reserved for a First Nations poet, and at least one place for a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse poet, and at least one place for an Emerging Poet.
For more detailed information, please see the FAQs below and the Terms and Conditions.
What does ‘previously commissioned or published’ by Red Room Poetry mean?
If you have had a poem commissioned or selected for paid publication by Red Room Poetry for any of our previous projects you are eligible to apply. You are also eligible to apply if you have been booked by Red Room Poetry for an event - for example, if you have performed at a Poetry Month showcase or taught a workshop with us. If you’re still not sure, feel free to reach out and clarify. This eligibility criteria is waived if you are an emerging poet.
What does 'emerging poet' mean?
For the purposes of this program, an emerging poet is defined as a poet who has had no more than one full-length collection of poetry published.
I am an emerging poet (having published no more than one collection of poetry), but I have not been ‘previously commissioned or published’ by Red Room Poetry - am I eligible to apply?
Yes. As outlined in the eligibility criteria, the criteria to be previously commissioned or published by Red Room Poetry is waived if you are applying as an emerging poet.
I have not been previously commissioned or published by Red Room Poetry, how can I find out more about this?
More detail about our commissioning process and how to share your work with us is available on the General FAQs page of our website here.
Can you tell me about physical accessibility onsite at Varuna?
More information about Accessibility at Varuna for the in-person residencies can be found via their website here.
What is the 'Anywhere Remote Residency'?
Designed to broaden access for poets who face additional barriers that may make traveling to Varuna a challenge. This may include caring responsibilities or challenges with travel, and is self-identified. You can choose to apply for this residency instead of the in-person options by selecting the checkbox on the entry form. This residency includes the stipend, an online one-on-one mentorship session, public reading opportunity and publication opportunity (with additional fee) but does not include accommodation.
Can I apply for the 'Anywhere Remote Residency' as well as the in-person residencies?
No. If you select 'Anywhere Remote Residency' on the application form, we will consider your application for that opportunity only.
Where can I find more information about the residency site?
Via the Varuna website here.
Where can I find more information about the residency structure, food and other details?
Via the Varuna website here.
How is the Fellowship different in 2025 than in previous years?
Previously, we have offered one Fellowship to a poet previously commissioned by Red Room Poetry to deeply develop their practice through a project of scale. In order to develop the wider poetic community, commission opportunities were also offered to 9 shortlisted poets, for publication on Red Room Poetry’s digital channels.
This program now offers Fellowships to a cohort of 6 poets - 5 in-person residencies, and 1 remote - in order to develop a community of practice.
I have other questions about the residency - where can I get more information?
If you still have questions that aren't answered here or at the links above, you can contact us via fellowship@redroompoetry.org*
*please note our office is closed from 21 December - 8 January. We will respond to any queries that come through over the break when we return.