Nominations are now open for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.
For more than 65 years, the Australian of the Year Awards have celebrated the achievements and contributions of extraordinary Australians.
Every day, all around Australia, extraordinary people create moments that inspire. We can all play our part by giving these Australians the recognition they deserve.
The four awards categories are:
Australian of the Year—celebrating the achievements and contributions of eminent
Australians who are role models for us all.
Senior Australian of the Year—recognising those Australians aged 65 and over who
continue to achieve and make a difference.
Young Australian of the Year—celebrating inspiring 16 to 30 year olds who have
accomplished great things in all walks of life.
Australia's Local Hero—acknowledges people making a difference in their local
community.
Past recipients demonstrate inspiration, contribution and excellence in their fields. Queensland's Dr Katrina Wruck was named the 2025 Young Australian of the Year for her green chemistry research and advocacy for preserving First Nations knowledge.
Geoffrey SmithCo-founder of Australian Spatial Analytics
Data analyst, Geoffrey Smith, recognised the untapped potential of neurodivergent people to contribute to the workforce in Australia.
Geoffrey co-founded Australian Spatial Analytics (ASA), a work-integrated social enterprise providing geo-spatial and engineering services, addressing a skills shortage in the technology industry. Of their employees, 80 per cent are neurodivergent and 61 per cent have come from long-term unemployment, reflecting the social barriers that are often experienced by neurodivergent people.
While the unemployment rate for adults with autism is some ten times higher than that of the general population, Geoffrey knows that their unique skillset can make them an asset in the workplace. ASA's inclusive practices include a range of workplace supports for executive functioning, social interactions and sensory sensitivities, facilitating participation to employees' full potential, developing skills and leadership, and providing stable, long-term employment.
Geoffrey, through ASA, aims to employ 1,000 people by 2030.
Dr Bronwyn Herbert completed a Bachelor of Social Work at age 40 years, her master's at age 61 years, and was awarded her PhD last year at age 90 years.
As a child, Bronwyn saw her parents give food and clothing to people who were struggling. Then, as a new widow experiencing grief with a newborn, she noticed no help was available to a young couple in the same hospital who had lost their baby. Bronwyn enrolled in a social work course and embarked on a career that has lasted 60 years.
As a social worker, Bronwyn noticed that many children who experienced homelessness with their parents, fell into homelessness as adults. She wanted to know why - and retired at 81 so she would have time to study this for her thesis.
Bronwyn's work and research has changed countless lives nationally and contributed to a better understanding of homelessness and how to break the cycle.
Dr Katrina Wruck's research is giving back to remote communities. Based on her research, Katrina has set up a profit-for-purpose business, Nguki Kula Green Labs, which is poised to transform the consumer goods sector by harnessing the power of green chemistry, while inspiring others to step into STEM.
Katrina's method of converting mining byproducts to zeolite LTA - which can remove contaminants from water that cause hardness - will be commercialised. Her postdoctoral research examines how to break down dangerous ‘forever chemicals' into benign ones. Altogether, Katrina's work is a possible foundation for reducing global contamination.
A proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman who has long advocated for First Nations knowledge, Katrina also participates in community engagement programs. She is frequently told by the students she speaks to that she's the first Indigenous scientist they've met. Her work has been recognised with several awards and she is already well known in her field.
Dr Katrina Wruck was named 2025 Young Australian of the Year at the national awards ceremony in Canberra on the eve of Australia Day 2025.
Claire Smith Founder of Wildlife Rescue Sunshine Coast
Claire Smith is a fierce protector of all living things, but especially native Australian wildlife.
She is the founder of Wildlife Rescue Sunshine Coast, the first dedicated, volunteer-run, 24-hour wildlife rescue service in Queensland. The group's purpose is threefold: education, rescue and rehabilitation.
Over decades of advocacy and conservation, Claire has actively forged vital relationships within the community, educating people about wildlife management through online resources and speaking on radio and in person. She engages with all levels of government to advise on policy decisions, motivating them to take action to protect native species through habitat preservation.
Claire raised over $600,000 to directly assist those caring for injured animals after the 2019 bushfires. She also fundraised to establish Queensland's first dedicated kangaroo hospital and purchase two wildlife ambulances to facilitate more animal rescues. Claire inspires others to join her fight to protect our precious native fauna with her compassion and determination.
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The Australian of the Year Awards is a program of the National Australia Day Council, managed in Queensland
by the Queensland Government.
