the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards features a main prize plus six category prizes, with a total prize pool of : Telstra Art Award – Telstra General Painting Award Telstra Bark Painting Award Telstra Works on Paper Award Wandjuk Marika 3D Memorial Award Telstra Multimedia Award Telstra Emerging Artist Award
Telstra Art Award
The award was named the Telecom Australia First Prize from 1991 until 1995.. From 2022, the prize money was doubled from to .
1984 Second and third prizes
Telstra General Painting Award
First awarded in 1985, then not awarded again until 1995 when it was called the Telstra Open Painting until 2000, when the name was changed to the Telstra General Painting Award.
Telstra Works on Paper Award
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Wandjuk Marika 3D Memorial Award (sponsored by Telstra) This award is named after notable bark painter Wandjuk Marika. It was previously known as the Memorial Award for Mawalan’s Eldest Son from until 1993.
Telstra Emerging Artist Award
The Telstra Youth Award was established in 2014 and was redeveloped into the Telstra Emerging Artist Award in 2017.
Telstra People's Choice Award
This prize was established in 2007.
Telstra Multimedia Award
This award was established in 2018.
2018: Patrina Liyadurrkitj Mununggurr, for Dhunupa'kum nhuna wanda (Straightening your mind)
2019: Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu, for Yolŋu sign language (Clan language – Dhuwalandja)
2020: Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs, for Shinkansen
2021: Pedro Wonaeamirri, for Jilarti
2022: Jimmy John Thaiday (from Erub, Torres Strait Islands), for Beyond the Lines, a video work 2023: Jimmy John Thaiday, for Just Beneath the Surface
Discontinued awards
Museums & Art Galleries Award
This prize was first awarded in 1986 and was discontinued in 1995.
Rothmans Foundation Award
The Rothmans Foundation Award was established in 1987 and discontinued in 1994.