Australians aged 25 and under can be nominated for the 2026 award
Nominations have opened for the 2026 Australian Young People’s Human Rights Award, which recognises human rights defenders and advocates aged 25 and under across Australia.
The Australian Human Rights Commission is urging people to nominate young people who work to improve lives in communities around the country.
Entries are free, can be anonymous and close on 3 August 2026. The Commission plans to announce the finalists in September 2026.
Finalists will be celebrated and winners announced at a ceremony and reception in Sydney on Thursday 10 December 2026, which is International Human Rights Day.
Nominators whose nominees become finalists will receive one complimentary ticket to the Sydney awards ceremony.
In 2026, the awards also mark the 40th anniversary of the Australian Human Rights Commission, highlighting four decades of work to promote and protect human rights.
The Commission has run the Australian Human Rights Awards every year since 1987.
Commission president Hugh de Kretser said the awards shine a light on people and organisations creating positive change in Australia.
“These awards highlight the people and organisations leading positive change in Australia – those improving lives every day in healthcare, education, law, the arts, the environment and beyond,” Hugh de Kretser said.
He also pointed to the breadth of work being recognised, from healthcare and education to law, the arts and the environment.
According to the Commission, the awards help share the stories of people doing vital work to build a fairer and more inclusive society.
Human Rights Medal and Community Award
Alongside the young people’s category, the annual programme includes four other categories: the Human Rights Medal, the Media & Creative Industries Award, the Community Award and the Law Award.
The Young People’s Award has recognised several advocates in recent years. Shakira Robinson won the 2025 award for her advocacy to prevent violence against women and children.
Previous winners named in the Commission briefing include Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts in 2019, Chanel Contos in 2021 and Caroline Cecile Fletcher in 2022.
People can find nomination details, past finalists and more information on the Australian Human Rights Awards at humanrights.gov.au/aus-human-rights-awards.
