Applicants for this year's competition are steered toward painter Olga Garner-Morris's dramatic coastal landscape for inspiration.

Sydney-based composer Richard Charlton has taken out the top prize, with Natasha Lin and Naomi Dodd as runners up.

Brainchild of Australian classical guitarist Matt Withers, the Australian Music Composition Competition opens applications for Australian composers.

James Madsen has taken out the top prize with his work for classical guitar and piano.

Keen to raise the profile and expand the repertoire of the classical guitar, Matt Withers formed the Australian Music Composition Competition, and has recorded the 2018 winning works on a new album.