What is split second?
Split Second is a unique competition for young people, created to help save young lives on our roads.
If you’re aged 18-30, live in Victoria and want the opportunity to create a short film to help young people like you, then this is your chance. Young drivers are at greater risk in road trauma and more likely to have a fatal crash than experienced drivers.
The Split-Second competition empowers you to be part of the solution, by coming up with an idea for a short film that you think will help raise awareness of road safety issues and change behaviours among young drivers.
If you’re a content creator, budding creative or film maker, we want to hear your ideas that can connect with your mates/friends/family to promote road safety and educate others on the importance of seatbelt usage and the dangers of speeding.
Entries close 11.59pm on Sunday 9 November 2025.
The Prize
This year there will be two winners, who will each get to bring their Road Safety idea to life. Winners will receive a $5,000 cash prize - yep, real money! As well as $45,000 in film production budget to actually make their ad. They’ll also receive potentially career-changing access and mentoring from film company Truce Films and creative ad agency TABOO.
One of the two prizes is our Multicultural Youth Prize, which was introduced in 2024 to ensure we're bringing new and diverse voices into the important road safety conversation, and celebrating the voices of more young Victorian creators.
Who can enter
The competition is open to all 18-30 year-olds currently living in Victoria. If you meet the criteria, you can submit as many ideas as you like across the road safety topics below.
To be eligible for the Multicultural Youth Prize you must be born, or have a parent who was born, in a country where English is not the main language*.
*Countries where English is the main language include Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
Select your brief
We want to hear your road safety ideas, ones that resonate with your mates, friends, or family, promote safe driving, and help educate people on key road safety topics.
Come up with idea about the following topics:
Brief 1 - Speeding
All speeding is dangerous - even going a few ks over the limit is risky. Going as little as 5 km/h over the speed limit increases your risk of a serious crash by 44%. However, many drivers do not understand the risk of driving even 5 km/h over the limit.
Your challenge: Come up with a 45-second film idea that gets your friends thinking and talking about the dangers of speeding by 5 km/h.
Brief 2 - Seatbelt Usage
Wearing a seatbelt can reduce fatal and non-fatal injuries by 60% among people travelling in the front of a car and by 44% among those travelling in the back of a car.
It’s reported that people aged 18-25 (3.2%) are most likely to have travelled as a driver and passenger without wearing a seatbelt, creating a huge risk for serious injury or worse.
Attitudes and beliefs about seatbelt wearing also vary depending on where you grew up, which may influence your decision to wear a seatbelt or either as a driver or passenger.
Your challenge: Create a 45-second film idea that powerfully reminds people to always wear their seatbelt.
Creative tips
Split Second is all about creativity. We’re looking for the most original and compelling idea across all the briefs. We recommend you watch the previous Split Second winning films to see the kind of ideas that have been successful in the past and see how a storyline can effectively fit into a 45 second film/advertisement.
Here are some general tips to help get your creative juices flowing:
Frequently asked questions
Who can submit an idea?
The competition is open to all 18-30 year-olds currently living in Victoria. This includes those on a skilled migrant visa, refugee visa or family visa and international students.
Do I have to be a professional filmmaker or content creator?
No, not at all. We want to hear from all young people living in Victoria
Is there a submission entry fee?
No.
Do entries have to be in English?
Yes, entries have to be submitted in English.
How many ideas can I submit?
As long as your ideas match the brief, and you meet the criteria, you can submit as many unique ideas as you like across the road safety topics.
Do I have to have a Victorian driver’s licence to enter?
No, you are not required to have a driver's licence to enter.
If you do have a driver's licence, you must have a good driver record and consent to TAC conducting a check.
Am I eligible for the Multicultural Youth Prize?
To be eligible for the Multicultural Youth Prize you must be born, or have a parent who was born, in a country where English is not the main language.
Countries where English is the main language include Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
