Planning for the first Competition which was in 1977 began at the end of 1974. The first Competition was held at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. The Australian Chamber Orchestra and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra participated in the Finals. Parts of the Competition were broadcast on 2MBS-FM. Despite the pessimism of some people the Competition was an enormous success - a success culminating in immediate registration by the Federation of International Competitions in Geneva.

The Friends organisation was formed in 1978 immediately after the first Competition and has been an integral part of each Competition since then-not only in sponsorship but in support of jury members, observers and competitors. The Friends have become the model for other Competitions to follow. Further Competitions have been held in 1981, 85, 88 (to coincide with the Australian Bi-Centenary celebrations) in 1992, 1996 and 2000. The Competition celebrates its 30th year in 2007. The next Competition will be held in 2008.


The Sydney Symphony Orchestra has been involved in the Finals since 1981 and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has become a very special part of the presentation of the Competition throughout Australia with live broadcasts of all stages of the competition since 1988 and expanding television coverage. From 1997 there is a Formal association with the University of  Sydney and the ABC has a more formal co-operative arrangement with the Cladan Cultural Exchange Institute of Australia, which presents the Competition.

The Sydney Competition has many unique characteristics which have placed it at the pinnacle of piano Competitions world-wide. The rigorous live audition process attracts the largest number of applicants of any Competition and the range of repertoire required for the five stages of the Competition ensures that the world’s finest pianists come to Australia to participate.

The Friends organisation in Sydney, and the branch in Melbourne, provide continuing interest in the Competition by way of recitals, talks and other events between each Competition.

Financial Members of the Friends receive the Competition Newsletter three times each year, discounts on all the Friends events and substantial benefits with ticketing at the Competition itself.