Nominate for the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2026

NSW Women of the Year Awards 2026

The NSW Women of the Year Awards celebrate the incredible women and girls improving the lives of people in NSW. Since 2012 these annual awards have recognised the women and girls whose determination, bravery, skill and passion has inspired their communities and others to achieve great things. The awards celebrate the role models who challenge inequality, innovate and inspire. Nominations for 2026 opened on 5 August 2025. The recipients of the awards will be announced at the NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony on Thursday 5 March 2026 as part of NSW Women's Week 2026 (2-8 March).

Nominations close 9 September 2025, 11:59pm.

The Categories are:

1. NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence

The NSW Premier's Woman of Excellence is a role model who has excelled in her chosen field. In doing so, she effects lasting change and is an inspiration to others. 

1. NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year 

A dedicated pillar of her community, the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year is a role model who promotes economic, cultural and/or social opportunities for Aboriginal people in NSW. Open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

1. NSW Community Hero

The NSW Community Hero Award shines a light on the accomplishments of an extraordinary woman who works tirelessly to contribute to the prosperity of those in her local community.

1. NSW Regional Woman of the Year

The NSW Regional Woman of the Year recognises the accomplishments of an exceptional woman living in regional NSW who inspires and advances her community and contributes to the fabric of her local area. Nominees for the NSW Regional Woman of the Year must reside outside of Newcastle, Wollongong or Greater Sydney.

1. NSW Young Woman of the Year

The NSW Young Woman of the Year has demonstrated incredible potential or achievement in her chosen field, passion or area of interest. Open to women aged 16-30 years.

1. The Ones to Watch

Recognises girls and young women aged 7 to 15, who demonstrate a single act or ongoing acts of courage, bravery, strength, determination and/or kindness to help and support those around them.

The program will showcase up to 10 girls who will be recognised and profiled as part of the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2026, as the next generation of rising stars. The Ones to Watch girls will be featured in a video reel that highlights their achievements and will be invited to attend the prestigious NSW Women of the Year Awards events including being presented with a special acknowledgement at the awards ceremony on 5 March 2026 held in Sydney. Nominations can be made by the nominee's parents/guardians and schoolteachers only.

1. Local Women of the Year Honour Roll

The NSW Local Women of the Year are chosen by Members of Parliament and are recognised for their contribution to their local community.

NOMINATIONS

• Nominees must consent to their nomination before an entry is submitted. 
• Nominations will be accepted from 9:00am on Tuesday 5 August 2025 to 11.59pm on Tuesday 9 September 2025.
• Nominations must be submitted online. Hard copy nomination forms will not be accepted. Please email WomenOfTheYear@tco.nsw.gov.au if you have any difficulty submitting your nomination online.  
• All required fields must be completed and criteria must be addressed for the nomination to be considered valid. 
• Nominators must provide required contact details for themselves and their nominee including an active email address and mobile phone contact number. 
• Entry is conditional upon confirmation of eligibility by the selection panel. 
• Nominees may be contacted by The Cabinet Office to request additional information including a photo and biography. 
• Nominees who progress through the assessment process will be subject to a National Police Background Check and referee check. 
• An awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 5 March, during NSW Women’s Week 2026 (2-8 March) in Sydney and finalists will need to be available to attend the event. 
• Travel arrangements to attend the Ceremony in March will be organised for finalists where required.  
• A nominee can be entered into more than one category following the instructions provided through the awards portal.
• The panel reserves the right to move your nomination to another award category if they deem it more suitable. 
• All nomination forms and materials submitted remain the property of The Cabinet Office. 
• Entry into the NSW Women of the Year Awards is deemed acceptance of the Terms and Conditions.