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
About the Awards
The ACS & APS Digital Excellence Awards 2026 recognise the outstanding work of people and teams across the Australian Public Service in digital, data and technology, celebrating innovation, inclusion, and real impact at every stage of their careers. The awards reflect ACS’s commitment to supporting the digital profession, from emerging talent through to senior leaders.
Delivered by ACS, with support from the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), these awards are part of our partnership under the ACS and DTA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). They celebrate the work of APS digital professionals and help bring people together to share experiences, learn from each other, and build capability to deliver better digital services for Australians.
The gala awards ceremony will be held in Canberra on 4 November 2026.
The awards support key APS priorities, including the APS Reform Agenda, the AI Plan, digital inclusion and accessibility, and building capability across the public sector, while also supporting 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
|
Award |
Eligibility requirements |
|
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, emerging leadership 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 20 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 APS-led individuals, teams or initiatives that have responsibly adopted AI to improve public sector services, operations, decision support or capability. Nominations should demonstrate appropriate governance, privacy, security, risk management and measurable benefit. |
|
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.
Event Location
Event Terms & Conditions
Registration
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Cancellation and Refund
All cancellations must be processed through the website, a refund will only be considered if it is at least 3 working days prior to the event.
Disclaimer
- ACS reserves the right to change the program at any time. Every effort will be made to ensure a program of equivalent standard and members are updated with changes.
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