In a sector where the wins are often quiet and the challenges relentless, the Australian Education Awards shine a powerful national spotlight on the people and schools driving meaningful change.
More than a night of celebration, the Awards elevate reputations across the K–12 landscape—positioning schools, principals and educators as leaders in a sector hungry for innovation, integrity and impact.
For finalists and winners, the recognition carries weight: it strengthens enrolment campaigns, bolsters funding applications, and sharpens a school’s competitive edge in an increasingly discerning market. But the influence runs deeper than branding. By showcasing best practice and thought leadership, the Awards help set benchmarks for excellence nationwide, creating a ripple effect that lifts standards across systems and states.
The Awards also play a vital role within Australia’s school workforce, helping leaders attract, recognise and retain top talent by publicly honouring dedication, creativity and courage in leadership. In doing so, they reinforce a powerful message: excellence in education deserves to be seen, celebrated and shared.
At a time when school leaders are navigating reform, workforce pressures and rising community expectations, the Australian Education Awards offer something vital – national recognition that fuels morale, builds professional influence and reminds the sector why its work matters.
From today, nominations are now open for The Australian Education Awards 2026, which will be held on Friday 7 August 2026 at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, where hundreds of principals, deputies, department heads and teachers will converge to recognise and celebrate the best that Australian education has to offer across 29 categories.
Entertainment on the night will include performances by international vocalist Teegan Bishop, who has graced stages from Hong Kong Disneyland to New York’s Lincoln Centre, blending Pop, RnB and Funk with magnetic stage presence to deliver unforgettable, high-energy performances worldwide.
The event’s MC will be Dave Hughes, who Rolling Stone magazine listed as one of top 50 living Australian and NZ entertainment Icons. A long-time star of radio and television, Hughes has performed stand-up comedy all over the world and has 266k followers on Instagram.
One of the big winners in last year’s Awards was Chrissy Marcelli, a Level 3 Teacher and Science Specialist at West Leeming Primary School. Marcelli took home the Primary School Teacher of the Year – Government Award in the Government category.
When asked why the Australian Education Awards is such an important event for K-12 education in Australia, Marcelli said it is because they recognise and celebrate the powerful difference that teachers and schools make in the lives of students, families and communities across Australia.
“Teaching can be challenging and complex work so it is important to take the time to acknowledge the dedication, expertise and passion that exist within the profession,” Marcelli told The Educator.
“The awards also provide an opportunity to showcase innovative practice and share inspiring stories of what is possible in education.”
When educators see others being recognised for creative, courageous and student-centred approaches, it encourages them to reflect on their own practice, try new ideas and continue to grow, Marcelli added.
“Most importantly, events like this remind us that education is a collective effort. By celebrating excellence and sharing success, the awards help to build a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement across Australia that ultimately benefits every student.”
To nominate for the Australian Education Awards 2026, please click here.