The Awards honour an exceptional group of highly-respected Australians who ignite discussion and change on issues of national importance.

Each year our nation celebrates the achievement and contribution of eminent Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards by profiling leading citizens who are role models for us all. They inspire us through their achievements and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating a better Australia.

The Australian of the Year Awards provides all Australians with the opportunity to recognise someone who makes them proud in four categories:

• All nominees will be considered for the Australian of the Year Award
• Nominees aged 16 to 30 years will be considered for the Young Australian of the Year Award
• Nominees aged 65 years and over will be considered for the Senior Australian of the Year Award
• All nominees will be considered for Australia's Local Hero Award
• Ages are as at 26 January of the Awards year

Nominations are now open and close 31 July 2026.

General Eligibility:

• Nominees must be Australian citizens
• 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 Awards year
• Sitting state and federal politicians and current vice-regal officers are not eligible
• Retired politicians and vice-regal officers will be considered for work undertaken in addition to their official duties
• At the national level a person cannot receive a second award in the same award category, but can be considered for recognition in a separate category in following years - for example, Young Australian of the Year and then Australian of the Year
• Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated in subsequent years
• Individuals can be nominated in only one state or territory - for example, a person who has recently moved interstate will be eligible for consideration in only one location. Selection panels may choose to contact the nominee for them to determine which jurisdiction is most appropriate
• Groups of people or couples will not normally be eligible, though in exceptional cases the selection panels reserve the right to consider such nominations
• Current members of the NADC Board and state-based Australia Day Board are not eligible
• Absolutely NO weight is given to the number of times a person is nominated

• Email: awardsinfo@australiaday.org.au