National NAIDOC Awards - 2026

The National NAIDOC 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. 

Award Categories

• National NAIDOC Person Award
• National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award
• National NAIDOC Female Elder Award
• National NAIDOC Male Elder Award
• National NAIDOC Sportsperson Award
• National NAIDOC Youth Award
• National NAIDOC Creative Talent Award
• National NAIDOC Caring for Country and Culture Award
• National NAIDOC Education Award
• National NAIDOC Innovation Award

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 cannot be nominated for the same category within 10 years but may be nominated for others.
• Groups, businesses, and organisations can be nominated for Creative Talent, Caring for Country & Culture, Education, and Innovation.
• Nominator must be 18+ at time of nomination.