NSW Women’s Awards Open Nominations for Indigenous Excellence

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The New South Wales (NSW) Government has opened nominations for the 2026 NSW Women of the Year Awards, which recognise women and girls who have shown exceptional leadership and contributed to improving their communities. The awards were launched on August 5, 2025, and are now in their 14th year.

The awards include six categories: the Premier’s NSW Woman of Excellence, NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year, NSW Regional Woman of the Year, NSW Community Hero, Young Woman of the Year, and the Ones to Watch Award for girls aged 7 to 15. The NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year category honours women of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who have promoted economic, cultural, or social opportunities within their communities.

Nominations for all categories are open to NSW residents, and self-nominations are accepted. Sitting politicians and vice-regal officers are not eligible. Submissions must be made online and include detailed evidence of the nominee’s contributions. Nominations close on September 9, 2025.

The award ceremony will be held on March 5, 2026, at Sydney’s International Convention Centre during NSW Women’s Week, which will run from March 2 to 8, 2026. Women’s Week events are part of the NSW Women’s Strategy 2023–2026, which aims to promote gender equality and increase opportunities for women in various sectors.

The NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year category has previously recognised women making significant community contributions. In 2025, the award went to Marjorie Anderson for her work with 13YARN, a national crisis support line that has handled nearly 70,000 calls since its launch in 2021. Anderson has promoted the importance of early intervention and encouraged people to seek help before reaching a crisis point.

The 2025 awards received a record 500 nominations across all categories, indicating high levels of public participation. According to the NSW Government, the awards are intended to highlight women’s achievements in fields such as business, education, health, community service, and the arts.

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison stated that the awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge women who are driving positive change. She encouraged communities to put forward nominations for individuals whose contributions have made a measurable impact.

In addition to the awards, the NSW Government provides grants of up to $50,000 for events held during Women’s Week that support the goals of the NSW Women’s Strategy. These events are designed to showcase achievements, promote equal opportunities, and inspire future leaders.