Finalists in the Engagement Australia 2026 Excellence Awards Announced

Some 36 of Australia and New Zealand’s most exceptional university community-building and economic-advancement initiatives have been shortlisted in the Engagement Australia 2026 Excellence Awards.

The Awards identify and celebrate the transformative engagement activities undertaken by universities that demonstrate far-reaching impact and innovation in Australia and New Zealand.

The judging panel commented on the exceptional quality of the 2026 nominations.

Please visit our Awards page for more details about the finalists. The winners will be announced at our awards dinner on 11^th November in Brisbane

Award for Excellence in Community Engagement

Recognising outstanding collaborations between tertiary education and communities for societal benefit. Emphasis is placed on partnerships that engage rural, regional, urban, disadvantaged or marginalised groups within Australia and New Zealand. 

• Modern Slavery and Forced Marriage Prevention through Community Capacity-building and Partnerships Australian Slavery Association, University of Technology Sydney
• Pathways to Potential: Empowering Refugee Communities through Career Clinic, Deakin University, Deakin CREATE
• AllPlay, Monash University
• Ocean Literacy through Partnership: Connecting Schools, Communities and the Great Southern Reef, Deakin

Award for Excellence in Indigenous Engagement

Recognising outstanding collaborations between tertiary education and Indigenous communities in Australia, New Zealand and beyond that empowers and give voice to First Nations peoples. 

• From Community Authority to Systems Change: An Indigenous-Led Partnership for Safety, Wellbeing and Strong Organisations, Griffith University
• Djambatj Dhukarr – Walking the Road to Excellence Together, University of Melbourne
• Kirby Institute First Nations Molecular Point-of-Care Testing Program, UNSW
• Moombaki Cultural Learnings, Curtin University

Award for Excellence in International Engagement

Recognising outstanding international collaborations that raise the profile of tertiary education and make a substantial difference to communities both overseas and in Australia and New Zealand. 

• The Iumi Tugeda Helpem Solomon Aelans Def Komuniti (ITHSADK)  (You and Me Together Help Solomon Islands Deaf Community) program, Australian Catholic University
• Building the Educational Capability of Nations, Monash University
• Beyond the Switch-On: Building a Global Solar Repair Ecosystem Across Africa and the Pacific, UNSW
• Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome: The global name change consensus to improve diagnosis and care of the condition affecting 170 million women worldwide, Monash University

Award for Outstanding Engagement for Research Impact

Recognising excellence in research that makes a substantial difference to the community, or Australian or New Zealand prosperity, undertaken jointly by researchers in tertiary education institutes and partners in community, business or industry contexts

• FishID: Partnership-powered environmental monitoring, Griffith University
• The Australian Contraception and Abortion Primary Care Practitioner Support (AusCAPPS) Network, Monash University
• Queensland Aphasia Research Centre, The University of Queensland
• UNSW & FSI – Developing Supercharged, Non-toxic, Fire-retardant Paint to Protect Australian Homes, UNSW
• Enhancing police responses to family violence through evidence-based assessment and management, Swinburne University of Technology

Award for Outstanding Engagement for Student Learning

Recognising partnerships and engagement practices that enhance the quality of learning and teaching in tertiary education and outcomes for students.

• Inside Out Prison Exchange & Prison-and-Community Think Tanks, RMIT
• Authentic Teaching and Learning through Adaptive Simulations, Monash University
• Agents of Societal Change: Empowering Students to Become Responsible Digital Innovators, The University of Queensland
• Conversations that Matter: A University – Community Partnership Transforming Communication Access Education, The University of Melbourne
• Monash University and Principals’ Association of Specialist Schools Network Program, Monash University

Award for Excellence in Student and/or Alumni Engagement

Recognising outstanding programs that improve student and/or alumni engagement and enhance the quality and impact of tertiary education. 

• Belonging Beyond Borders, The University of Melbourne
• RMIT & ACMI Major University Partnership, RMIT University
• “Being a Melburnian”: Support Network for International Students, The University of Melbourne
• Atelier South Summer School, Ara Institute of Canterbury
• UTS Humanitarian Scholarship Program, University of Technology Sydney

Award for Excellence in Industry Engagement

Recognising outstanding collaborations of mutual benefit between tertiary education and industry that enhances the quality and impact of tertiary education.

• Financial Crime Academy, Griffith University
• RMIT and Aurecon Design Academy, RMIT University
• High Achieving Teachers, Western Sydney University
• Beyond Placements: A New Model for University-Health Partnership, Victoria University
• Motiview at Harbison, Western Sydney University

Award for Outstanding Leadership in Engagement

Recognising an individual who has made notable contributions to engagement above and beyond that expected for their role, resulting in sustained partnerships for longer term impact.

• Professor Zsolt Balogh, University of Newcastle
• Claire Stokes: Leading Strategic Engagement for Workforce Innovation and Community Health Impact, Griffith University
• Professor Adriana Verges, UNSW
• Dr Frazer Thorpe, La Trobe University

Please join us as we celebrate the Awards winners at Customs House, Brisbane, Wednesday 11 November 6.00-10.00 pm (AEST) –  register here .