After its successful inaugural launch in the Northern Territory, the Caring for Country Music Competition is back; bigger, louder and more exciting than ever, and now open to entries from Western Australia and Queensland.
With a total prize pool of $29,500 across five categories: School, Group, Solo, Dance Video and People's Choice, the competition offers a creative platform for budding musicians, schools and dance groups to raise awareness about the importance of biosecurity.
Entries are now open and will close on 5 October 2025.
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Gerard Maley said the competition is an innovative way to spread vital messages about biosecurity issues across Northern Australia.
"The Caring for Country Music Competition is just one of the ways the Finocchiaro CLP Government is raising awareness of biosecurity," Mr Maley said.
"As part of our year of action, certainty and security, we all share the responsibility of biosecurity to protect the Territory from new, established and endemic pests and diseases.
"I encourage Territory musicians, schools and dancers to get on board and submit an entry. Biosecurity is everyone's responsibility, and sharing biosecurity messaging through music and dance is a wonderful way to spread the word."
Entries will be judged in each jurisdiction by a panel made up of representatives from industry, government and the music sector.
Shortlisted song entries will be published online for public voting, with the People's Choice category awarded to the entry receiving the most votes.
MusicNT Executive Director Mark Smith said: "MusicNT welcomes the expansion of the competition and we're excited to help bring these cash prizes to our talented schools, groups and solo songwriters once again."
The competition is a collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Northern Territory Government's Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Anima Co., and MusicNT.
