Australian of the Year Awards
The Australian of the Year Awards recognise outstanding Australians making a positive impact.
Meet the Western Australian finalists of the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards here. WA recipients will be announced in November 2025, with the national recipients announced on the eve of Australia Day 2026.
The Australian of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate our diversity and honour an exceptional group of highly-respected Australians. The Australian of the Year Awards is a program of the National Australia Day Council. Each year our nation celebrates the achievements and contributions 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 an inclusive, harmonious and more resilient Australia.
The Awards honour an exceptional and diverse group of highly-respected Australians who ignite discussion and change on issues of national importance.
The Australian of the Year Awards recognise individuals from four categories:
- Australian of the Year
- Senior Australian of the Year
- Young Australian of the Year
- Australia’s Local Hero
Auspire is proud to deliver the Australian of the Year Awards in Western Australia, as a member of the National Australia Day Council.
The National Australia Day Council Board selects the Australians of the Year from the group of 32 State and Territory recipients. The prestigious year-round program culminates in the announcement of the national Award recipients in Canberra on Australia Day Eve.
Visit the official Australian of the Year website for more information on the history of Awards, how to nominate, key dates and criteria.