- Lovesong Alex Miller
- The Bath Fugues Brian Castro
- Jasper Jones Craig Silvey
- Sons of the Rumour David Foster
- The Book of Emmett Deborah Forster
- Siddon Rock Glenda Guest
- Boy on a Wire Jon Doust
- Figurehead Patrick Allington
- Parrot and Olivier in America Peter Carey
- Truth Peter Temple
- Butterfly Sonya Hartnett
- The People’s Train Tom Keneally
The shortlist is announced in April and the winner in June.