The Patrick White Award is an annual literary prize established by Patrick White. White used his 1973 Nobel Prize in Literature award to establish a trust for this prize.

The $25,000 cash award is given to a writer who has been highly creative over a long period but has not necessarily received adequate recognition. White stipulated that the award be announced the Friday after the Melbourne Cup to turn attention from sport to literature. The 2010 award was reduced to $18,000 because of the economic slump, Writers are automatically eligible without the necessity for submissions.

Winners

  • 2025 David Brooks
  • 2024 Pi O
  • 2023 Alex Skovron
  • 2022 Antigone Kefala
  • 2021 Adam Aitken
  • 2020 Gregory Day
  • 2019 Jordie Albiston
  • 2018 Samuel Wagan Watson
  • 2017 Tony Birch
  • 2016 Carmel Bird
  • 2015 Joan London
  • 2014 Brian Castro
  • 2013 Louis Nowra
  • 2012 Amanda Lohrey
  • 2011 Robert Adamson
  • 2010 David Foster
  • 2009 Beverley Farmer
  • 2008 John Romeril
  • 2007 David Rowbotham
  • 2005 Fay Zwicky
  • 2004 Nancy Phelan