Award Categories
Nominations are now open. Nominations close Friday, 8 May 2026 (11:59pm)
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Australian HR Director of the Year
- Recognises the HR leader who has demonstrated excellence at the executive level over the past 12 months
- Eligible finalists will be senior level leaders who report to the CEO and manage an HR team
- Judged on leadership, communication, strategy, drive and results
Australian HR Manager of the Year
- Recognises the individual who has demonstrated excellence at the management level over the past 12 months
- Eligible finalists will be mid-level leaders who look after up to 1,000 employees
- Judged on leadership, communication, strategy, drive and results
Australian HR Rising Star of the Year
- Recognises the individual who has demonstrated excellence in their first 5 years of work in an HR role
- Judged on leadership, communication, strategy, drive and results
Australian HR Champion (CEO) of the Year
- Recognises the CEO who has demonstrated excellence by driving successful HR strategies from the top and putting people at the centre of the organisation
- Judged on leadership, communication, strategy, drive and results
COMPANY & TEAM Awards
Australian HR Team of the Year (≤1000 Employees)
- Recognises the HR team in an organisation with up to 1000 employees in Australia that has demonstrated excellence over the past 12 months
- Judged on overall team performance including leadership, communication, strategy, drive and results
Australian HR Team of the Year (>1000 Employees)
- Recognises the HR team in an organisation with over 1000 employees in Australia that has demonstrated excellence over the past 12 months
- Judged on overall team performance including leadership, communication, strategy, drive and results
Employer of Choice (1-99 Employees)
- Recognises the best organisation to work for in Australia with less than 100 employees
- Judged on leadership, engagement, communication and employee benefits
Employer of Choice (100-999 Employees)
- Recognises the best organisation work for in Australia with 100-999 employees
- Judged on leadership, engagement, communication and employee benefits
Employer of Choice (>1000 Employees)
- Recognises the best organisation work for in Australia with 1000 or more employees
- Judged on leadership, engagement, communication and employee benefits
Employer of Choice (Public Sector & NFP)
- Recognises the best public sector or not-for-profit organisation to work for in Australia
- Judged on leadership, engagement, communication and employee benefits
Best Graduate Development Program
- Recognises excellence and innovation in graduate development programs and initiatives in any organisation in Australia
- Judged on consultation, strategy, implementation and results
Best Health & Wellbeing Program
- Recognises excellence and innovation in workplace health and wellbeing programs and initiatives
- Judged on consultation, strategy, implementation and results
Best Leadership Development Program
- Recognises excellence and innovation in leadership development programs and initiatives
- Judged on consultation, strategy, implementation and results
Best Learning & Development Program
- Recognises excellence and innovation in training and development programs and initiatives
- Judged on consultation, strategy, implementation and results
Best Recruitment Campaign
- Recognises excellence and innovation in recruitment and employer branding campaigns and initiatives
- Judged on consultation, strategy, implementation and results
Deel Best Remote Work Strategy
- Recognises excellence in virtual and remote work programs and practices
- Judged on level of innovation, employee engagement, productivity and results
Best Reward & Recognition Program
- Recognises excellence and innovation in employee reward and recognition programs and initiatives
- Judged on consultation, strategy, implementation and results
Best Use of Technology
- Recognises excellence and innovation in the use of human capital technology by an in-house HR team (please note HR technology providers are not eligible to enter their own products)
- Judged on consultation, strategy, implementation and results
Best Workplace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program
- Recognises excellence and innovation in diversity, equity and inclusion programs and initiatives
- Judged on consultation, strategy, implementation and results
Best Workplace Flexibility Program
- Recognises excellence and innovation in workplace flexibility programs and initiatives
- Judged on consultation, strategy, implementation and results
