Each year, National Water Week makes a splash across Australia, inspiring individuals, education providers, communities and organisations to work together to build community awareness and understanding of water-related issues.

The 2026 National Water Week poster competition is now open!

This year’s theme is: Water Heroes – Make Every Drop Count

GWMWater is inviting students to get creative and help spread the message about water conservation with the chance to win great prizes for your students and cash for your school. Students can draw, paint or design a poster that shows why water is important and how we can all be Water Heroes.

It’s a great opportunity to link classroom learning about water with creativity and fun — and new for 2026, we’re excited to welcome Years 7–8 students to the competition!

Who can enter?

The competition is open to students from preschool to year 8, with the following categories:

• Preschool

• Foundation

• Years 1 - 2

• Years 3 - 4

• Years 5 - 6

• Years 7 - 8

Key dates

Entries close: 5 pm, Friday 11 September 2026

Winners will be announced during National Water Week, 19 - 25 October 2026.

Teacher resources

To support classroom learning, GWMWater has curriculum-linked resources available:

• Educator guide

• Preschool

• Foundation – Year 2

• Years 3 – 6

• Years 7 – 8

These resources are designed to help explore the theme in age‑appropriate and engaging ways.

Prizes

• Preschool - (individual and collaborative entries accepted)

  • 1st prize (individual) - $200 for Early Learning Centre and a prize valued over $100 for the winning student

  • 1st prize (collaborative) - $200 for Early Learning Centre and a key ring for each winning student

  • All students will receive a participation certificate and a calendar.

  • Outstanding poster entries will receive an honourable mention certificate and a GWMWater merchandise pack

• Primary School - (individual entries ONLY accepted)

  • 1st prize - $400 for the school to spend on a sustainable project and the winning student receives a prize valued at over $100

  • All students will receive a participation certificate and a calendar

  • Outstanding poster entries will receive an honourable mention certificate and a GWMWater merchandise pack

• Secondary School - (individual entries ONLY accepted)

  • 1st prize - $400 for the school to spend on a sustainable project and the winning student receives a $100 stationery voucher

For more information or to enter check out our National Water Week Poster Competition page.