DANZ stands for Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and ASLA stands for Australian School Library Association.

Yes! The award categories alternate every year, and traditionally and self-published authors and illustrators who are Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents can enter.

YES! The book is still eligible, but if it wins, the illustrator would not be eligible to receive any prize money, though they would still benefit from the promotion and publicity the book receives.

For the 2026 award, we are accepting picture books, chapter books, and middle grade fiction only, all of which must have an ISBN and work as standalone if part of a series, while the 2025 award celebrated young adult, non-fiction, graphic novels, and poetry, and the 2027 award will do the same.

For the 2026 award, books must have been published in 2024 or 2025.

Authors do not have to share the identity portrayed, as DANZ celebrates authentic, non-stereotypical representations of diverse, marginalised, and minority people, and it is up to the author to decide and explain in the application form whether their book fits the criteria, which will be checked by the DANZ panel before review copies are requested.

No, although for the 2025 award we asked if nominating publishers and/or authors/illustrators could provide a small fee if their book is longlisted to help with marketing and promotional costs.

Authors, illustrators, and publishers can nominate their books via a simple application form on the Book Nomination page of the website.

Each nomination is assessed by a Book Nomination Panel to ensure it fits the criteria, and if successful, the DANZ Committee will invite the nominating person to send five copies of the book to be sent to the Judging Panel.

One winner in each category will receive a monetary prize (amount to be confirmed), and all longlisted books will be featured in a digital and print brochure distributed to schools and libraries in Australia and New Zealand through ASLA and SLANZA.

DANZ supports educators, parents, carers, and booksellers to recommend and offer books to children that provide accurate, fair, and authentic representations of marginalised and minority people, beyond a convenient label of diversity.

Children from all backgrounds and ages living in Australia and New Zealand, including those from diverse, marginalised, and minority backgrounds, are invited to judge and curate the longlist, receiving a pin and certificate, and can apply by completing a simple form with adult permission

Anyone who wants to support the award can sponsor it, with all funds going to making the award successful and far-reaching, and sponsors can get involved by emailing to register interest, arrange a chat, and receive sponsorship packages.

The DANZ committee is made up of Founder Kate Foster, Kristin Darell, Martha Itzcovitz, Shirley Marr, Linsay Knight, Dee White, and Laura Pettenuzzo, supported by a Book Nomination Panel of diverse people working with children and in children's publishing.