Complete Beginner's Guide to Competitions in Australia
New to comping? Start here. This is the only guide you need to go from total beginner to confident competition enterer. Learn what comping is, how to find the best competitions, the different types you can enter, and the strategies that help everyday Australians win thousands of dollars in prizes every year.
400+
Active Competitions
Updated daily
100%
Free to Enter
Most competitions
15–60
Minutes Daily
All you need
$50K+
Won Monthly
By Australian compers
What is Comping?
"Comping" is the hobby of regularly entering competitions, sweepstakes, contests, and giveaways to win prizes. People who do this are called "compers", and in Australia, the comping community is one of the most active in the world. It is a real hobby with a dedicated following — not just the occasional lucky entry, but a consistent, organised approach to entering competitions that dramatically increases your chances of winning.
Comping has been around in Australia for decades, but it has exploded in popularity with the rise of the internet and social media. What used to mean cutting out magazine coupons and mailing in entry forms has evolved into a fast-paced, digital hobby where you can enter dozens of competitions from your phone in a single sitting.
The beauty of comping is that anyone can do it. You do not need any special skills, qualifications, or a big budget. The vast majority of competitions in Australia are completely free to enter. All you need is an internet connection, a bit of spare time, and the willingness to be consistent. Some compers treat it as a casual side hobby, spending 15 minutes a day while having their morning coffee. Others make it a serious pursuit, dedicating an hour or more daily and tracking their entries in spreadsheets.
And the results speak for themselves. Experienced Australian compers regularly report winning thousands of dollars worth of prizes each year — from gift cards and electronics to holidays, cars, and even houses. The key is volume and consistency: the more competitions you enter, the more likely you are to win.
Amazing Prizes
Gift cards, holidays, cars, electronics, cash, experiences, and much more — all from free entries
Flexible Time
Spend as little as 15 minutes or as much as an hour per day — it fits around any schedule
Zero Cost
The overwhelming majority of Australian competitions are completely free to enter
Getting Started: Your First Steps
Before you dive into entering competitions, taking 30 minutes to set yourself up properly will save you hours of frustration later. These four steps form the foundation that every successful comper builds on. Get these right, and you will be entering competitions like a pro from day one.
Set Up a Dedicated Email Address
Create a separate email address that you use exclusively for competition entries. This is the single most important piece of setup you can do. A dedicated comping email keeps your personal inbox clean, makes it easy to spot winner notifications, and ensures you never miss a prize claim deadline buried among personal emails.
Gmail is ideal because it offers generous storage and excellent spam filtering. A simple format like yourname.comps@gmail.com works well. Make sure you check this inbox at least once a day — many winners lose their prizes because they did not respond to the notification email within the required timeframe (often just 48-72 hours).
Pro tip: Set up this email on your phone with push notifications enabled so you never miss a winner alert.
Set Up Social Media Accounts
A huge number of Australian competitions run through social media platforms, particularly Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. If you do not already have accounts on these platforms, create them. If you do, make sure your profile is set to public — many social media competitions require that the brand can see your entry, and private profiles make this impossible.
You do not need to be a social media influencer or have thousands of followers. You just need an active, legitimate-looking profile. Post the occasional personal update, follow some brands you genuinely like, and engage naturally. Competition organisers sometimes check that winners have real accounts, so an empty profile with zero posts may raise red flags.
Consider following the social media accounts of major Australian brands you buy from regularly — they often announce competitions through their social channels before anywhere else.
Prepare Your Details for Quick Entry
Most competition entry forms ask for the same basic information: name, email, phone number, date of birth, and postcode. Save these details somewhere you can quickly copy and paste from, or use your browser's autofill feature to speed up entries.
Some compers use a simple text file or notes app on their phone with all their standard details ready to go. This might seem like a small thing, but when you are entering 20 or 30 competitions in a session, shaving 30 seconds off each entry adds up to a significant time saving.
Always use your real, legal name on entries. If you win a major prize, the organiser will verify your identity, and a mismatch between your entry name and your ID can disqualify you.
Start with Easy Entries and Build Up
Do not try to tackle every type of competition on your first day. Start with simple free entry competitions — the ones where you just fill in a form and submit. These require no special skills and give you a feel for how the process works.
Once you are comfortable with form-fill entries, branch out into social media competitions (like, comment, share to enter). Then, when you are ready for a bigger challenge, try your hand at 25 Words or Less competitions, which reward creativity and can have much better odds because fewer people bother to enter them.
The progression from simple to complex is natural. Give yourself a few weeks to find your rhythm before you start trying to enter everything.
Where to Find Competitions in Australia
One of the first questions new compers ask is: "Where do I actually find competitions?" The good news is they are everywhere once you know where to look. Here are the main sources Australian compers use to fill their entry lists.
Competition Aggregator Sites (Start Here)
The fastest and most efficient way to find competitions is through aggregator sites like Competitions.com.au. We collect hundreds of active competitions from across the internet and list them all in one place, so you do not have to search dozens of different websites yourself. You can filter by prize type, entry method, closing date, and more.
This is where most serious compers start their daily session — browse the latest listings, enter the ones that appeal to you, and move on. It turns what could be hours of searching into a streamlined 15-30 minute routine. Browse our free competitions here.
Social Media
Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are goldmines for competitions. Follow your favourite brands and search hashtags like #winAustralia, #AustralianGiveaway, and #competition. Many brands run exclusive social media-only giveaways that never appear on aggregator sites.
Brand Newsletters
Sign up to email newsletters from brands you buy from. Companies like Coles, Woolworths, JB Hi-Fi, and Qantas regularly include exclusive competitions in their newsletters. These often have smaller entry pools because only subscribers see them.
In-Store Promotions
Keep your eyes open when you are shopping. Supermarkets, petrol stations, and retail stores frequently run purchase-to-enter promotions. Look for displays near checkouts, on product packaging, and on receipts. These tend to have excellent odds because many shoppers never bother entering.
Radio & Magazines
Australian radio stations run competitions daily, often with call-in or text-to-enter mechanics. Magazines (both print and digital) also feature regular competitions. These traditional channels often have fewer entries than online competitions, giving you better odds.
Types of Competitions You Can Enter
Not all competitions work the same way. Understanding the different types helps you choose which ones to focus on and develop the right approach for each. Here is a breakdown of the main competition formats you will encounter in Australia.
Random Draw (Sweepstakes)
Fill in your details, submit the form, and a winner is drawn at random. These are the easiest to enter and require no special skills — just luck. The trade-off is that they tend to attract the highest number of entries, so odds per individual entry can be lower.
Strategy: Enter as many as possible. Volume is everything with random draws. The more entries you submit across different competitions, the more likely you are to win.
25 Words or Less
Write a creative answer to a prompt in 25 words or fewer. Entries are judged on creativity, originality, and relevance to the brand or product. This is where skilled compers really shine.
Strategy: These have much better odds because most people skip them. A well-crafted, witty answer can beat thousands of generic entries. Read our complete WOL guide
Photo & Video Competitions
Submit a photo or video entry, often around a specific theme. Some are judged by a panel, others by public vote. You do not need professional equipment — smartphone photos taken with good lighting and a clear subject work perfectly well.
Strategy: Focus on storytelling and authenticity rather than technical perfection. Judges and voters respond to genuine, relatable entries.
Social Media Competitions
Like a post, leave a comment, share to your story, or tag a friend to enter. These are quick and easy, often taking less than 30 seconds per entry. They run on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and sometimes Twitter.
Strategy: Be genuine in your comments. A thoughtful, relevant comment stands out more than a generic "Me please!" and some competitions select winners from the best comments.
Purchase Required
Buy a specific product and use the receipt, barcode, or unique code to enter. These are common with FMCG brands (groceries, snacks, drinks) and often feature very large prizes like cars and cash.
Strategy: Only buy products you would normally purchase. Keep all receipts for at least 3 months after the draw date. The barrier to entry means fewer entrants and better odds.
Instant Win Games
Play a game, scratch a card, or spin a wheel for an immediate result. You find out on the spot whether you have won. These are exciting and addictive, and prizes range from small vouchers to major awards.
Strategy: Enter at off-peak times (early morning, late night) when fewer people are playing. Some instant win games have fixed prize pools that reset daily.
What Can You Actually Win?
The range of prizes available in Australian competitions is genuinely staggering. From a $10 gift card to a million-dollar prize home, there is something for everyone. Here is a breakdown of the most common prize categories, along with links to our dedicated guides for each.
Cars & Vehicles
From hatchbacks to luxury SUVs, car competitions are among the most popular in Australia. Prizes worth $30,000 to $150,000+.
Read car comps guideCash Prizes
Straight cash payouts ranging from $100 gift cards to $100,000+ jackpots. The most versatile prize you can win.
Read cash comps guideHolidays & Travel
Dream getaways, cruise packages, flights, and resort stays. Win holidays to Bali, Europe, the Maldives, and more.
Read holiday comps guideElectronics & Tech
iPhones, gaming consoles, TVs, laptops, smart home gadgets. Tech prizes are everywhere, especially from retail brands.
Read electronics comps guideExperiences
Concert tickets, VIP events, dining experiences, adventure activities. Money cannot buy some of these once-in-a-lifetime prizes.
Read experiences comps guidePlus Much More
Gift cards, hampers, beauty products, fashion, sports gear, home appliances — the list is endless.
7 Golden Rules for Beginner Compers
These rules are the distilled wisdom of thousands of experienced Australian compers. Follow them from day one and you will avoid the most common beginner mistakes.
1. Always Read the Terms and Conditions
Before you enter any competition, check the T&Cs. Look for eligibility requirements (age, state, residency), the closing date, how many times you can enter, and how winners are notified. There is no point spending time on a competition you are not eligible to win. Also watch for state-based exclusions — some promotions exclude certain Australian states due to permit requirements.
2. Keep All Your Receipts
For purchase-required competitions, keep your receipts for at least 3 months after the draw date. Store them in a dedicated envelope or take photos of them immediately (receipts fade over time). If you win and cannot produce the receipt as proof of purchase, you will be disqualified and the prize will go to someone else.
3. Check Your Email Every Single Day
Winner notifications almost always come via email, and they almost always have a deadline for responding — typically 48 hours to 7 days. If you do not reply in time, the prize is redrawn and goes to someone else. Check your comping email daily, and check your spam/junk folder too. Winner emails sometimes get caught by spam filters.
4. Be Consistent — Make it a Daily Habit
The number one factor that separates winners from non-winners is consistency. Entering 10 competitions every day for a month is far more effective than entering 100 competitions in one burst and then forgetting about it for weeks. Set aside a regular time each day — morning coffee, lunch break, or before bed — and make comping part of your routine.
5. Diversify Your Entries
Do not just enter one type of competition. Mix it up: random draws, social media giveaways, 25 words or less, photo competitions, and purchase-required promotions. Different types have different odds and different skill requirements. A balanced approach gives you the best overall chance of winning something.
6. Track Closing Dates
Pay attention to when competitions close. Entering in the last few days before a competition closes is a smart strategy for random draws — some competitions draw from recent entries or your entry sits at the top of the pile. Also, do not waste time entering competitions that have already closed, which is easy to do if you are not paying attention to dates.
7. Have Fun and Stay Positive
Comping should be enjoyable, not stressful. You will enter hundreds of competitions before your first win, and that is completely normal. Do not get discouraged. Celebrate every win, no matter how small — a $20 gift card is still a free $20 you did not have before. The wins will come if you stay consistent. Many experienced compers say their first win came within 2-4 weeks of starting.
How Competitions.com.au Works
Beyond listing 400+ external competitions for you to enter, our platform offers several built-in ways to win prizes and earn rewards — all completely free. Here is what is available to you as a member.
Earn CompBux from Surveys
Complete short surveys and earn CompBux (our reward points). Redeem CompBux for gift cards at 100+ Australian retailers including Coles, Woolworths, Amazon, JB Hi-Fi, and more. At 100 CB = $1 AUD, surveys typically earn you 120-190 CompBux each.
Read the full CompBux guideDaily Guessing Games
Play free daily guessing games for a chance to win $50 cash. Guess the number, answer a trivia question, or estimate a value. New games go live every day, and every member gets free guesses to play with.
Read the Guessing Games guideSpin & Win
Spin the wheel daily for a chance to win CompBux, bonus guesses, and other prizes. It is free to spin every day, and the prizes change regularly. A quick 10-second daily activity that can add up over time.
Read the Spin & Win guideBrowse 400+ Competitions
Our main directory lists over 400 active competitions across Australia, updated daily. Filter by prize type, entry method, or closing date. Every listing links directly to the competition entry page, so you can enter in seconds.
Browse free competitionsAll of these features are completely free. Create an account and start winning today.
Create Free AccountAvoiding Competition Scams
Important: Unfortunately, scammers do target compers. As a beginner, it is essential to know the warning signs so you do not fall victim to fake competitions or prize scams.
Here are the key red flags to watch out for:
You are asked to pay a fee to claim your prize. Legitimate competitions never charge winners.
You "won" a competition you never entered. This is always a scam.
They ask for bank details or passwords. No legitimate competition needs this information.
Pressure to act immediately with vague details and no verifiable company information.
We have written a comprehensive guide on how to identify and avoid scams. If you are ever unsure about a competition, read this first: How to Spot Competition Scams in Australia.
Your Beginner's Checklist
Create a dedicated comping email account
Set up public social media profiles
Save your details for quick form filling
Enter 5-10 free competitions today
Read the T&Cs before every entry
Set a daily comping routine (15-30 mins)
Check your comping email daily (incl. spam)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is comping actually worth the time?
Yes, for most people it is. Even casual compers who spend 15-20 minutes a day typically win several hundred dollars worth of prizes per year. More dedicated compers regularly win $2,000-$10,000+ annually. When you consider that the time investment is minimal and most entries are free, the return on your time can be excellent. It also doubles as a fun hobby that many people find genuinely enjoyable.
How long until I win my first prize?
Most consistent compers report their first win within 2-6 weeks of starting. However, this depends on how many competitions you enter and what types. If you are entering 10-15 competitions per day across different formats, you are likely to win something relatively quickly. Remember, early wins are often smaller prizes like gift cards or product samples, but they build confidence and prove the system works.
Do I have to pay tax on competition prizes in Australia?
In most cases, no. Under Australian tax law, prizes from competitions are generally not considered taxable income for hobbyist compers. However, if the ATO considers comping to be your business or a significant income source, different rules may apply. If you are winning very large or frequent prizes, it is worth consulting a tax professional. For the average comper, prizes are tax-free.
Can I enter competitions from any Australian state?
Most national competitions are open to all Australian states and territories. However, some state-based permit requirements mean certain competitions exclude specific states (South Australia and the ACT are most commonly excluded). Always check the terms and conditions for state eligibility before entering. On Competitions.com.au, we clearly flag any state exclusions on our listings.
Is it safe to give my personal details to competition entry forms?
Generally yes, as long as you are entering legitimate competitions from reputable brands and companies. Australian privacy law (the Privacy Act 1988) regulates how companies can use your personal information. That said, using a dedicated comping email address protects your primary inbox, and you should never give out bank details, passwords, or pay money to enter. Read our scam detection guide if you are unsure about a specific competition.
How many competitions should I enter per day?
There is no magic number, but most successful compers aim for 10-30 entries per day. Quality matters more than quantity — it is better to enter 15 competitions properly (reading T&Cs, filling in all fields correctly, writing good creative entries) than to rush through 50 with mistakes. Start with whatever feels manageable and build up over time. Even 5 entries per day is a great start for a beginner.
Can I enter the same competition more than once?
It depends on the competition. Some allow one entry per person for the entire promotion period, others allow daily entries, and some have no limit. The terms and conditions will always specify this. Never enter more than the allowed number of times — excess entries are typically deleted, and repeat offenders may be blacklisted by the promoter. Always play by the rules.
Ready to Start Winning?
Everyone starts somewhere. Create your free account, enter your first competitions today, and your first win could be just around the corner. Thousands of Australians are winning prizes every week — why not you?