Awards and recognition
Awards and honours help define, encourage and reinforce excellence. Australia has a system of honours and awards so its citizens can be recognised for excellence, achievement, or meritorious service.
Australia’s honours system was established in 1975 with the creation of the Order of Australia, replacing the previous Imperial system of British honours that were phased out by the 1980's.1
Many people in sport have been recognised over the years through the Australian honours system for their contribution to sport and society.
Order of Australia
The Australian honours system has been uniquely designed to ensure anyone can nominate, opens in a new tab a member of the sporting community for an award in the Order of Australia. Search for previous Order of Australia recipients The easiest way to find someone that has been recognised with an award is to search the Prime Minister and Cabinet database, opens in a new tab.
Australian of the Year awards
Several Australian volunteers and administrators have been recognised as Australian of the Year, opens in a new tab recipients for their sporting achievements and community contribution and are often portrayed as positive role models in the media.
There are four categories open annually for nominations: 3
Nomination Any Australian can be nominated, opens in a new tab year round. Nominations made after 31 July will be considered for the next years' Awards.
- Australian of the Year - celebrating the achievements and contributions of eminent Australians who are role models for us all
- Senior Australian of the Year - recognising those Australians aged 65 and over who continue to achieve and make a difference.
- Young Australian of the Year - celebrating inspiring 16 to 30 years olds who have accomplished great things in all walks of life.
- Australia’s Local Hero - acknowledges people making a difference in their local community.
Australian Sports Commission
AIS Sport Performance Awards. The AIS Sport Performance Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of athletes, teams, coaches, volunteers, and leaders in Australian sport.
The Sport Volunteer of the Year Award was introduced in 2022.
- 2022 - Nicole Williams, Brighton Cricket Club (SA)
- 2023 - Elysa Oliveri, Blowfly Cricket Club (NSW)
- 2024 - Julie Keillor, Shepparton Canoe Club/Paddle Australia (VIC)
Volunteering Australia
Volunteering Australia, opens in a new tab is the national peak body for volunteering, working to advance volunteering in the Australian community.
- 101 Ways to Recognise Your Volunteers, opens in a new tab, (February 2021).
Good Sports
Good Sports, opens in a new tab is a free Australia-wide program building stronger community sporting clubs. The program is run by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF), an independent and not for profit organisation, funded by state and federal governments.
- Good Sports Awards, opens in a new tab. The Awards recognise the strong clubs and dedicated people who are passionate about their community, their members and making their club the very best it can be. In 2022 there were seven categories to enter, including Club Volunteer of the Year.
State and Territory
CBR Sport Awards, opens in a new tab, ACT Government. Celebrating the individuals and teams who have excelled with sporting achievements throughout the past 12 months.
ACT Hall of Fame, opens in a new tab, ACT Government. The ACT Sport Hall of Fame began in 1995 and has enabled athletes, officials, coaches and administrators from our region to be recognised for excellence in their field and their contribution to our sporting community.
NSW Volunteer Recognition Program, opens in a new tab, NSW Volunteering. The purpose of the Program is to enhance the recognition of the contributions of volunteers across NSW, for the difference they make in their communities, the causes and organisations they support.
NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, opens in a new tab, The Centre for Volunteering. An annual event aimed at recognising the incredible dedication, effort and community service of our state’s volunteers.
Her Sport Her Way Awards, opens in a new tab, NSW Office of Sport. Recognising and celebrating the achievements of leaders in women’s sport through awards and storytelling shines a light on gender equity across the sector.
NSW Champions of Sport, opens in a new tab, Sport NSW. The entire NSW sporting family comes together on one night, to celebrate the year’s achievements of NSW athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and organisations, alongside the states greatest athletes as they join the NSW sporting hall of fame.
NSW Community Sports Awards, opens in a new tab, Sport NSW. Recognising outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW – largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.
NT Volunteer of the Year Awards, opens in a new tab, Northern Territory Government / Volunteering SA&NT. Celebrating exemplary volunteer work and to recognise the contribution that volunteers make to communities in the NT.
NT Sports Awards, opens in a new tab, Northern Territory Government. The Northern Territory (NT) Sports Awards recognise the achievements of athletes, coaches, sporting officials and volunteers.
Queensland Sport Awards, opens in a new tab, QSport. The Annual Queensland Sport Awards have been running since 1995, and serve to celebrate the achievements of athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and organisations on an annual basis.
SA Volunteer Awards, opens in a new tab, Government of South Australia, Human Services. Recognising the invaluable work that volunteers, volunteer managers, community organisations and businesses contribute to the South Australian community.
Volunteer Certificates, opens in a new tab, Government of South Australia, Human Services. Two certificate programs are available for recognising your volunteers' contribution, the Premier’s Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service and South Australian Volunteer Certificates of Appreciation.
South Australian Sport Awards, opens in a new tab, Sport SA. Each year, as one of the most prominent events on the SA sporting calendar, the South Australian Sport Awards honours those making outstanding contributions to sport in South Australia, as individual or team athletes, coaches, administrators and volunteers from both metropolitan and regional areas of South Australia and recognises our state’s great events.
South Australian Sport Hall of Fame, opens in a new tab, Sport SA. Membership of the South Australian Hall of Fame represents the highest level of recognition. The Hall of Fame recognises and promotes the outstanding achievements of this State's greatest athletes and general members who have made significant contributions to South Australia.
Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame, opens in a new tab, Tasmanian Government, Active Tasmania. Honouring outstanding Tasmanians who have represented their State and nation with distinction and ensures their sporting achievements receive recognition.
Victorian Sport Awards, opens in a new tab, VicSport. Each year, the Victorian Sport Awards honours those who have made an outstanding contribution to sport in Victoria as an individual or team athletes, coaches, administrators, and volunteers from both metropolitan and regional areas in Victoria.
WA Volunteer Service Awards, opens in a new tab, Government of WA. Western Australian volunteers who have volunteered for over 25 years can be nominated in one of the three categories below to receive a commemorative pin and a personalised certificate in recognition of their service.
Volunteer of the Year Awards, opens in a new tab, Volunteering WA. Each year individuals, groups, community organisations, government or local business organisations are invited to nominate a special individual or organisation they believe is worthy of recognition for a WA Volunteer of the Year Award.
WA Sport Awards, opens in a new tab, SportWest. The WA Sport Awards enable the West Australian community to recognise excellence in sport and celebrate the achievements of WA sportspeople. The most prestigious sporting Award that a West Australian athlete can win is The West Australian RAC SportWest Awards. Many of Western Australia’s outstanding sportspeople have won this Award since it was first presented to Morna Pearce in 1956.
Sport
Some sporting organisations present awards to volunteers within their community. Examples include:
REFERENCES
- Timeline for Australia’s Honours and Awards, opens in a new tab, Australian Government, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, (accessed 27 March 2023).
- The Order of Australia, opens in a new tab, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, (accessed 11 August 2023).
- Australian of the Year Awards, opens in a new tab, National Australia Day Council, (accessed 11 August 2023).
See more on this topic:
- Overview
- Benefits of Sport
- Factors influencing participation
- Volunteer management
- Policies, programs, and supporting structures
- Awards and recognition
Is this information complete? The Clearinghouse for Sport is a sector-wide knowledge sharing initiative, and as such your contributions are encouraged and appreciated. If you would like to suggest a resource, submit a publication, or provide feedback on this topic, please contact us.