Award Categories

Young people deserve great youth workers. At every youth centre, support service and even a growing number of schools, there’s a team of dedicated youth workers, developing programs, lending a sympathetic ear and providing a vital support structure for young people in need. This award celebrates the efforts of those youth workers, whose passion and dedication changes lives.

This award recognises the accomplishments of young people with lived experience, be it housing instability, disability, discrimination, mental health, stigma, systemic barriers or personal disadvantage, who have worked through significant challenges, changed attitudes and elevated their peers. This award is open to young people aged 10 - 25.

Young people are at the forefront of creative movements globally. Be it a new wave of artistic expression, an innovative form of community arts or the intersection of creativity and activism, progress in the arts is frequently youth-centred and youth-led. The Parkerville Children and Youth Care Creative Contribution Award Creative Contribution Award celebrates those young people who are using creative and artistic practice to tell compelling stories, reflect the world and uplift their peers. This award is open to artists, arts facilitators, art teachers and arts workers aged 10 – 25, working across any discipline, including community arts, visual arts, film, theatre, performance, dance, music, literature, community arts, media arts and interdisciplinary practice.

We know that young people are frequently driving change in our society. We also know that collaboration is often the genesis of great ideas. This award celebrates a youth-led initiative driven by young people aged 10 - 25, collaborating and channeling their collective efforts to generate meaningful social impact. Finalists will demonstrate a passion for making change in their community; a focus on inclusivity and collaboration in their practice; and an innovative approach to problem-solving and breaking down barriers. This award is open to groups led and driven by young people aged 10 - 25, including those incubated within a school program, university, TAFE or similar education institution; within an Local Government; or a youth initiative or a youth group. This award is open to both formally organised, auspiced groups and informal collectives.

Across WA organsiations are achieving great outcomes for young people, but sometimes it takes a meeting of minds, cultures and ideas to generate real impact. The Youth Focus Sector Collaboration Award celebrates outstanding projects in the youth sector that emerge from collaboration, skill-sharing and a cross-pollination of ideas between two or more organisations. Successful nominees will be strongly informed by co-design, innovation and teamwork between organisations that generate meaningful outcomes for young people and/or the youth sector.

Our communities thrive on reciprocity – on sharing knowledge, ideas, resources and support. Young people in our communities look to each other for these supports, to be uplifted, inspired and elevated. The ECU Community Leadership Award celebrates young people aged 10 – 25 who are peer leaders, inspirers and activators – be it through sports, education, professional networks, culture, community action or any other areas where peer leadership is essential.

Young people look to their peers for inspiration. In the important and often challenging years before adulthood, it’s vital young people can turn to their peers for support, encouragement and inspiration. The Commissioner for Children and Young People Participate Award is open to young people aged 10 – 17 who show outstanding dedication to making a positive change in their community and demonstrate peer leadership through their chosen pursuit – be it in their school and education, through sports, student council, community involvement, their work, extracurricular activities or any other relevant pursuits.

New problems need new thinking and new solutions. Sometimes those best ideas come from fresh eyes and bright young minds, motivated by an intrepid spirit and youthful enthusiasm. From dedicated programmers and progressive digital developers to budding environmentalists and curious conservationists, the Youth Futures Innovation for a Sustainable Future Award celebrates those young thinkers, innovators and trailblazers, exploring new territory in technology, the environment and the modern world.

History shows us that young people are at the forefront of social change. From fights for gender equality, anti-racism and disability rights in decades past to contemporary movements for marriage equality, Black Lives Matter and School Strikes 4 Climate, young people are at the forefront of grassroots activism, political campaigning an sophisticated social media advocacy. The Mission Australia Young Changemaker Award celebrates those young people age 12 – 25 fighting against injustice, discrimination and inequality, working to create meaningful change in their local communities and the world they’re set to inherit.

This award recognises and honours the achievements of young people who have successfully pursued their personal goals while fulfilling caring duties or who have advocated for those occupying caring roles. A young carer is anyone under the age of 25 who has a family member or friend that they support with disability, chronic illness, mental health challenges, drug, or alcohol dependency or who is frail due age. Young carers, demonstrate exceptional tenacity, commitment, and brilliance in managing responsibilities beyond their years and overcoming challenges and disadvantages. It acknowledges their ability to achieve personal, educational, or health-related goals while providing care to their family or community members.

Recognises an outstanding journalist, photographer or media contributor under the age of 25 who has committed to fair and balanced reporting on young people or youth issues.