Selection Criteria
In choosing the recipients of the Australian of the Year Awards, regard is given to the nominee's achievements in the year immediately prior to the receipt of the award, as well as their past achievements and ongoing contribution to the Australian community and nation.
The selection criteria are:
- Demonstrated excellence in their field
- Significant contribution to the Australian community and nation
- An inspirational role model for the Australian community
- The Local Hero award acknowledges a significant contribution at local community level
Selection panels will also give consideration to the following in assessing and comparing nominations against the above criteria:
- Personal, academic and professional achievements
- Contribution in the relevant field (how has the nominee 'put back' into their field to benefit others)
- Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity
- Personal interests and community involvement
- Contribution to the Australian community and nation
- Contribution to development of regional community and/or economy
- Future goals and likely impact
- Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
- Country of residence
- Previous awards and recognition
- Voluntary work beyond paid employment
- Nature and length of activity or service
- Achievements as an individual or as part of a group or organisation
- Availability and commitment to promote national pride and active citizenship though the year of the recipient's appointment
In ensuring that the Australian of the Year Awards recipients are representative of our diverse nation consideration may be given to:
- Gender
- Age
- Remote, regional, city locations (particularly in relation to the Local Hero Award)
- Ethnicity
- Field of endeavour
Eligibility Criteria
- Nominees must be Australian citizens
- Awards will not be granted posthumously
- Sitting state and federal politicians and current vice-regal officers are not eligible. Consideration of retired politicians and officers would be for work in addition to their official duties
- Groups of people or couples will not normally be eligible though in exceptional cases the selection panels reserve the right to consider such nominations
- At the national level a person cannot receive a second award in the same Awards category, but can be considered for recognition in a separate category in following years eg. Young Australian of the Year and then Australian of the Year
- At the state/territory level, a person would not usually be awarded (or be a finalist for) the same award more than once. In exceptional circumstances, a repeat award may be made. However, in this case particular consideration will be given to work undertaken since the last time the person was awarded - the award should not be given twice in recognition of the same work
- Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated in subsequent years
- Individuals can be nominated in only one state/territory e.g. 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
- Self nominations will not be accepted
Category Eligibility
- All nominees will be considered for the Australian of the Year Award
- Nominees aged 16 to 30 years will also be considered for the Young Australian of the Year Award
- Nominees aged 60 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 2011
