Nominations for the OHA Book Award opened on 1 June 2026 and close on 31 July 2026.
The next award will be presented in conjunction with the 2026 OHA Biennial Conference in Adelaide, South Australia, 3-6 December 2026.
For further information about the award and to learn about past winners go to: https://oralhistoryaustralia.org.au/awards/book/.
How to apply
Oral historians based in Australia are encouraged to apply for this book award presented by Oral History Australia (OHA). Note that there is also an OHA Media Award 2026 (available to an oral history production in any media other than a book) for which further details are available at: https://oralhistoryaustralia.org.au/awards/media/.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the OHA Book Award:
- the book must have been published in the period 1 September 2024 to 31 July 2026.
- the book must make substantial use of oral history material
- the book may be published in hardback and/or paperback, and/or as an ebook
- the award is open to oral historians working in any field, across community, academic, media or professional history
- applicants must be based in Australia, though the book is not required to include Australian oral history content
- applicants need not be members of OHA state associations, though they are encouraged to join.
Judging criteria
The award winner/s will have made an innovative, excellent and inspirational use of oral history.
The judging panel may award a joint prize and / or Commendations for Excellence to outstanding runners-up. The award winner will receive a prize of $300, and the details of the winner/s and all commended applicants will be posted on the OHA website.
How to apply
Applicants must apply using the form on this page by no later than 31 July 2026.
The OHA will acknowledge the application and provide postal details for each of the judges.
The applicant must then post one hard copy of the book to each of the judges. If the book is an ebook only, you must send each judge a copy via email or an appropriate download link (such as WeTransfer, Dropbox or Google Drive).