The National Australia Day Council is showcasing current and former Australian of the Year Awards recipients in an inspiring new advertising campaign to encourage nominations for next year's awards.
The 60-second advertisement to appear online and on TV features current Australian of the Year Neale Daniher and Young Australian of the Year Dr Katrina Wruck as well as Local Hero Award recipients Amar Singh, of Turbans 4 Australia, and Victorian football advocate for women Jasmine Hirst.
Part of the clip was filmed in Cafe Stepping Stone, the social enterprise employing women mostly from migrant and refugee backgrounds established in Canberra by Australia's Local Heroes for 2025, Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello.
Nominations for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards are open until July 31.
Australians are being urged to shine a spotlight on the local legends and national change-makers whose efforts have enriched our communities.
The Australian of the Year Awards require public nominations to identify outstanding individuals and it only takes one nomination for someone to be considered for the prestigious awards.
"Every day, we all see people doing something special or we hear about people who are making a real impact - it's these people we all see and hear about that we want the public to nominate," National Australia Day Council chair John Foreman said.
"When you see them or hear about them, nominate them."
The four categories are: Australian of the Year; Senior Australian of the Year (aged 65 and over); Young Australian of the Year (aged 16 to 30); and Australia's Local Hero.
From the public's nominations, each state and territory announces a recipient in each category.
These state and territory award recipients then become the national finalists for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards to be announced on the evening of January 25, 2026, in Canberra.
Who inspires you?
Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year?
If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at australianoftheyear.org.au.
- ACM, the publisher of this masthead, is media partner of the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.
