DIY BURLESKOALA

The Great DIY BurlesK Contest is a competition for Australian burlesque performers to create unbelievable acts on unbelievable budgets.
The winner is titled The Great DIY BurlesKoala.

Apply to compete in 2026

Established 2019 as a sister to NZ competition DIY BurlesKiwi and produced by Honorary Kiwi*, Sydney’s Mae de la Rue, the DIY BurlesKoala competition was styled in 2025 as The Great DIY BurlesK Contest.

The rules are simple – create a brand new act for the competition without spending more than $100 on your costume. Challenge your creativity and innovation and deliver your best burlesque on a budget.

* Awarded at the 2019 Golden Garters, NZ Burlesque Awards

The Rules

When it comes to applications, applicants only need to provide their details, no act details required. Then fate does it’s work and applicants are randomly drawn to compete.

As for the $100 budget, there are options to help you along the way, like using a pair of shoes at no cost, upcycling from trash to treasure, using up fabric and materials in your collection at a depreciated cost, and so on.

Let the rules inspire your innovation, and get thinking about how to DIY the best possible act.

DIY FAQs
  • The budget for each competitor’s entry is $100 or less – top to toe.
  • You may use a pair of shoes.
  • If you are a singer or a pole performer, you don’t need to include microphone or pole in your $100 budget.
  • Your budget is to include all props.
  • Your budget excludes transport and online postage.
  • You must do your own hair and makeup.
  • You may use items found in public places, i.e. beaches, parks, etc (feathers, shells, etc).
  • Fast Fashion may be used, but it must be transformed and be reusable.
  • Gifted items must be included in your budget.
  • No personal sponsors.
  • An itemised expense sheet plus copies of receipts (if possible) is required as part of your entry. A spreadsheet template will be provided on acceptance of entry.

Judging Criteria

All contestants will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Costume and budget
  • Innovativeness
  • Performance
  • Package – Performance combined with budget, costume, music and props

Can you bring something different to the stage on this budget? We would love to see it!

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