ACS & APS Digital Excellence Awards 2026
Celebrating innovation, inclusion and impact across the Australian Public Service
Member $155.88
Member-Concessional $155.88
Non-Member $210.88
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About this event
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About the Awards
These Digital Excellence Awards look to commend all those colleagues that strengthen digital, data, and technology capability across the Australian Public Service (APS). By recognising and promoting excellence in the delivery of public services and government outcomes we hope to encourage the ongoing adoption of innovative approaches at scaled across government.
Co-delivered by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), the awards support broader objectives to foster APS–industry collaboration. In advancing diversity, accessibility, and digital inclusion, our collaborative partnership seeks to reinforce the behaviours, skills, and knowledge sharing needed for a modern, citizen-centred APS.
The awards ceremony will be held in Canberra on 4 November 2026, supporting key APS priorities including the APS Reform Agenda, the AI Plan, and building capability across the public sector — while also advancing the Australian Computer Society's strategic priorities for the profession.
Award Categories
- Rising Digital Changemaker
- Lifetime Achievement in Public Sector Innovation
- Public Sector Digital Ingenuity Award
- Digital Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion
- AI Adopter of the Year
- ACS Member Excellence Award
Who can be nominated?
Any individual or team currently working within an Australian Public Service (APS) agency that has demonstrated excellence in leadership, digital, data, technology, innovation, accessibility, inclusion, or Artificial Intelligence (AI).
For ACS Member Excellence Award, you must be a current ACS active financial member.
Why Nominate?
- Recognise outstanding people, teams, and projects.
- Celebrate innovation and impact across the APS.
- Showcase your agency's achievements.
- Gain wider recognition from ACS and DTA.
- Inspire others through digital excellence and best practice.
- Highlight leadership in AI, inclusion, accessibility, and digital transformation.
- Honour the professionals making a difference for Australians
Eligibility requirements by award
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Award |
Eligibility requirements |
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Rising Digital Changemaker |
Open to individuals working in or for an APS agency who are early in their digital, data or technology career, generally with less than five years’ relevant workforce experience. Nominees should demonstrate initiative, and measurable contribution to digital government outcomes. |
|
Lifetime Achievement in Public Sector Innovation |
Open to individuals who have made a sustained and significant contribution to digital, data, technology or innovation in the Australian public sector over an extended career, generally over 15 years relevant workforce experience. Nominees should have a demonstrated record of impact, leadership, mentorship and service to the broader APS community. |
|
Public Sector Digital Ingenuity Award |
Open to APS-led individuals, teams, projects or initiatives that have delivered an original, practical or creative digital solution to a public sector on a budget of less than $1m. |
|
Digital Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion |
Open to individuals, teams, projects or initiatives working in or for an APS agency that have improved accessibility, inclusion, equity or participation through digital, data or technology. Nominations should show evidence of user-centred design, engagement with diverse communities and measurable inclusion outcomes. |
|
AI Adopter of the Year |
Open to individuals, teams or initiatives within the APS that are using AI responsibly and effectively to deliver improved services, operational efficiencies, enhanced decision-making or workforce capability. This category recognises APS pilots, proofs of concept and early or established implementations that demonstrate tangible value and support the uplift of AI maturity across government, in line with the AI Plan for the APS. |
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ACS Member Award |
Open to current ACS members who have volunteered in an ACS role for at least three years and have been appointed or elected to contribute through a branch, committee, chapter, special interest group, project or activity. |
Nomination and Judging Process
- Written nominations will be sought directly from agencies
- Finalists shortlisted by an expert panel will be invited to present a virtual pitch to the panel
- Winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony.
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