City of Gold Coast wishes to recognise those helping to build a stronger, more connected community.

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Gold Coast Australian of the Year Awards. These are the people whose challenges and triumphs reflect their remarkable achievements - those who go above and beyond in their work or service, and who are champions in their own way, making a lasting impact on those around them.

Categories 

• Gold Coast Australian of the Year 
  • Honouring the achievements and contributions of eminent Gold Coasters who are role models for us all, contribute to making the Gold Coast great, and are positive ambassadors for the region.
• Gold Coast Senior Australian of the Year 
  • Celebrating those Australians aged 65 and over who continue to achieve, inspire or make a difference within the wider community.
• Gold Coast Young Australian of the year
  • Recognising inspirational 16 to 30 year olds who have accomplished great things in a particular field of endeavour.
• Gold Coast Local Hero 
  • Acknowledging people who make a difference and challenge us to think about our contribution to creating a better local community.

• Nominees must be Australian citizens.
• Nominees must be residents (past or current) of the Gold Coast.
• Awards will not be granted posthumously.
• Self-nominations will not be accepted.
• Nominees must be at least 16 years of age on 26 January of the following year (to align with the National Australia Day Council’s Australian of the Year Awards).
• Sitting local, state and federal politicians and current vice-regal officers are not eligible.
• Retired politicians and vice-regal officers will only be considered for work undertaken in addition to their official duties.
• Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated in subsequent years.
• A person cannot be an award recipient in more than one category in the same year however can be considered for recognition in a separate category in the following years (eg. Gold Coast Young Australian of the Year one year and then Gold Coast Australian of the Year the next).
• Groups of people will not normally be eligible though in exceptional cases the expert selection panel reserves the right to consider such nominations.
• The number of nominations received per nominee bears no weight in their selection.

• Phone: 07 5581 7539
• Email: mail@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
• Website: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Council/About-Council/Contact-us