The Competition was inaugurated in July 1977 and is held every four years. It was admitted as a member of the Federation of International Music Competitions in 1978, and is presented in association with the University of Sydney and with the co-operation of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Sydney is not only a significant centre of the Arts but a city which has produced and fostered artists of international distinction, whose contributions to music are well known. The Sydney Opera House is a symbol of the city's commitment to attaining the highest standards in all areas of the performing arts.

The Competition is unique in providing air fares, accommodation and daily allowance for a maximum of 36 selected competitors, all of whom play in the first two recital stages.

Composer seminars will be held during the competition.

All stages of the Competition will be broadcast live throughout Australia and New Zealand and worldwide on the internet by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's radio station ABC Classic FM.

Donors and Supporters for the 2008 Competition

ABC Classics
ABC Classic FM
ABC Television
Mr. R.O. Albert AM
Ars Musica Australis
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australasian Performing Right Association Limited
Mr. Mrs. J. Bain
Dr. Sonya Bajenov
The Hon. Bronwyn Bishop M.P.
Mr. Julian Block
Bochum Festival, Germany
Mr. David Burns
Central Conservatory of Music Beijing P.R. China
Mrs. Jana Chvojka
Cladan Cultural Exchange Institute of Australia
Council of the City of Sydney
Lady Mary Fairfax
Flight Centre St Ives
Friends of the Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia
Friends of the Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia (Victorian Branch)
Mr. Gerritt Glaner
Mr. Neville Grace
Mrs. C. Graf
R. M. Gregory Printers
Mr. Peter Grote
Hochtief Australia Holdings Limited
Hunt & Hunt Lawyers
Kawai America Corporation
Kawai Australia
Dr. Michael Kennedy
Mrs. Minnie Kent-Biggs
Mrs. Barbara Leser
Mrs. Joan Levy
Mr. Danny May
Mrs Deidre McCann
Ms. Vaila Mead
Music and Opera Trust Ltd.
The Music Teachers Association of NSW
Naxos Records
NSW Government through Arts NSW
Ronald, Lynn and Marcus Ogden
Paspaley Pearling Company Pty Ltd
Renaissance Tours
Mr. Phillip Rowe
Ruhr Festival, Germany
San Pietro a Majella Conservatory of Naples
The Scots College Sydney
The Seymour Theatre Centre - University of Sydney
Shanghai Conservatory of Music P.R. China
Sofitel Wentworth Hotel - Sydney
Steinway & Sons - Austria, Hamburg, London and Russia
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Sydney Youth Orchestra
Theme & Variations Piano Services
Prof. Warren Thomson OAM
Tyalgum Festival NSW
UniLodge Apartments, Sydney
The University of Sydney
Mrs. Wendy Weight OAM
Mr. Peter Weiss AM
Mr. Graham Wickes
Willoughby Symphony Orchestra
Yamaha Artist Services - New York, Paris and Tokyo
Yamaha Music Australia