The 2026 National NAIDOC Awards nominations are now closed
Thanks to everyone for nominating people in your community for their leadership or the positive change they’re creating.
The award winners will be announced at the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony on 4 July 2026 in Mparntwe – Alice Springs.
It’s important to note that the National NAIDOC Award nominations is separate from local or regional NAIDOC processes – to find out what’s happening in your area, check out your Local NAIDOC Committee or check their website/social pages for details.
The National NAIDOC Awards (the Awards) celebrate the outstanding contributions and excellence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across ten (10) award categories, including art, culture, education and training, sport, environment and leadership. These Awards honour individuals and groups who inspire, lead, and create positive change in their communities and beyond.
Selection Criteria
In deciding the 2026 winners for each Award category, the judges considered the following selection criteria:
- past and current achievements
- demonstrated excellence in the nominated category
- the individual’s and/or group’s status as an inspirational role model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community
- the individual’s and/or group’s future goals and their likely impact.
Please note Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, businesses and organisations were able to be nominated for the Creative, Caring for Country and Culture, Education and Innovation Award Categories.
Why nominate?
This was an opportunity to recognise and celebrate those making a difference – whether it’s a respected Elder, a rising youth leader, a creative talent, or an organisation driving innovation. Nominations ensure their story is heard and celebrated nationally.
Eligibility
- Nominee must be 18+ and a resident of Australia at time of nomination.
- Nominee must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (descent, identity, and community acceptance).
- Age-specific categories: Youth (18–25); Elder & Lifetime Achievement (60+).
- Previous winners could not be nominated for the same category within 10 years but may be nominated for others.
- Groups, businesses, and organisations could be nominated for Creative Talent, Caring for Country & Culture, Education, and Innovation.
- Nominator must have been 18+ at time of nomination.
Important: Supporting documentation was not accepted. Only one A4 page written response to the Selection Criteria was to be considered.
Privacy: All parties (nominator and nominee) needed to download and sign the Privacy Statement and attach it to their online nomination. Personal information will be handled under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.
How to Nominate - 2026 nominations now closed
Nominations for the 2026 National NAIDOC Week Awards opened on 25 January 2026 and closed on Sunday 8 March 2026.
The same person could have been nominated for more than one category, and a separate nomination form needed to be completed per category.
The award winners will be announced at the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony on 4 July 2026 in Mparntwe – Alice Springs.
For the 2026 awards, nominees were asked to submit their nomination online at the National NAIDOC Awards and NAIDOC Poster Competition web platform (no longer accessible as the competition has now closed).
If you submitted an entry and need any assistance with your nomination/s, please contact the National NAIDOC Secretariat.
2027 National NAIDOC Awards
Nominations for the 2027 National NAIDOC Awards will open in late January 2027, following announcement of the 2027 NAIDOC theme.
To stay updated on national announcements, resources, and events, we encourage you to subscribe to the National NAIDOC eNewsletter or keep your eye on the NAIDOC website, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.
Award Categories
National NAIDOC Person Award
The National NAIDOC Person Award recognises the demonstrated excellence of an individual who has helped make a difference to individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities or more broadly, including nationally. This award recognises the individual’s past and current achievements, and their status as an inspirational role model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community.
Previous winners include Aunty Muriel Bamblett, Professor Kelvin Kong, and Dr. Daniel Hunt.
National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award
The National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual for their lifetime commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The award recognises the individual’s achievements and demonstrated leadership over many years as well as demonstrated community involvement, and commitment at the local, regional and/or national levels.
Aunty Dulcie Flower AM, Aunty Dr Naomi Mayers OAM, Dr Stanley Grant Snr AM, and Mr Michael Long are just some of the inspiring winners of the NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Nominee is to be 60+ years as at date of nomination.
National NAIDOC Female Elder Award
The National NAIDOC Female Elder Award recognises respected and inspirational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role models and leaders. The award seeks to recognise an individual who has shown long term demonstrable commitment and contribution to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as demonstrated involvement in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at the local, regional, and/or national levels.
Read about inspiring Female Elder Award winners, Aunty Millie Ingram, Aunty Dr Matilda House-Williams and Aunty Rosalie Kickett.
- Nominee is to be 60+ years as at date of nomination.
National NAIDOC Male Elder Award
The National NAIDOC Male Elder Award recognises respected and inspirational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role models and leaders. The award seeks to recognise an individual who has shown long term demonstrable commitment and contribution to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as demonstrated involvement in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at the local, regional, and/or national levels.
Find out more about previous Male Elder Award winners, like Mr Kim Collard, Mr William Tilmouth and Uncle Harry Phillip Hall.
- Nominee is to be 60+ years as at date of nomination.
National NAIDOC Sportsperson Award
The National NAIDOC Sportsperson Award recognises accomplished Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes or sporting leaders who have promoted or developed sport in their community and served as inspirational role models for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community.
Find out more about past winners like Mr Alex Winwood, Ms Donnell Wallam and Ms Danielle Ponter.
National NAIDOC Youth Award
The National NAIDOC Youth Award recognises exceptional young people who are aged 16-25 years as at 6 July 2025 (the beginning of NAIDOC Week 2025). The award seeks to recognise young people who are inspirational role models for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader Australian community, as well taking into consideration the individual’s future goals and likely impact.
Read more about past winners like Mr Dante Rodrigues, Ms Courtney Burns and Ms Anika Gosling.
- Nominee is to be 18 to 25 years of age as at date of nomination.
National NAIDOC Creative Talent Award
The National NAIDOC Creative Talent Award recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives, including writers, poets, illustrators and artists of traditional, contemporary and experimental visual arts, crafts and design. The award is also open to outstanding individuals/groups in the performing arts sector including music, theatre and dance. Actors and individuals working in film, television and documentaries, or in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media, including those working with online and emerging technologies can also be considered in this category.
The National NAIDOC Creative Talent Award seeks to recognise the individual’s/group's success and/or achievements in their chosen sector or discipline, as well as individuals/groups who have built greater awareness and celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, lifestyles and cultures.
Previous winners of this award include Naarah, Ms Rachel Perkins and Ms Christine Anu.
National NAIDOC Caring for Country and Culture Award
The Caring for Country and Culture Award recognises the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities who care for, protect, and nurture Country and culture. Nominate those who are revitalising or teaching language, dance or traditions, conserving our lands and waters and protecting our environment for future generations, or who are sharing and preserving culture. This award also seeks to recognise those who have demonstrated excellence in relation to caring for Country or culture, conservation of Country or culture, as well as demonstrated benefits to the community.
Past winners include Mr Alick Tipoti, Ms Lala Gutchen and Wadjemup Project Steering Group.
National NAIDOC Education Award
The National NAIDOC Education Award recognises exceptional individuals and groups in the education sector (including early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary, vocational, and any other education groups) who have made a difference to the lives of students and communities. This award seeks to recognise individuals and groups who have made a demonstrable contribution to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Read more about previous winners like Warlpiri Education and Training Trust, Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, Professor Bronwyn Fredericks and Professor Eddie Cubillo.
National NAIDOC Innovation Award
The Innovation Award is open to individuals, groups, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and organisations who have worked innovatively in and across our communities. This award seeks to recognise those who have developed new and innovative ideas, applied forward thinking and/or applied Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge in different ways. This award also seeks to recognise those who have demonstrated efforts to create and champion change for our people and our communities, as well as demonstrated commitment, adaptability and innovative thinking and attitudes that enrich our communities and beyond.
Find out more about previous winners like Mr Tui Nolan, Mr Daniel Motlop, Koori Mail and Blak Brews.