ACS & APS
Digital Excellence Awards 2026

 4 November 2026

 National Press Club Canberra

 

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Delivered by ACS in partnership with Digital Transformation Agency
About the awards

Celebrating innovation, inclusion and impact

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, the awards are part of our partnership under the ACS and DTA 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 support better digital services for Australians.

The awards ceremony will be held in Canberra on 4 November 2026, supporting key APS priorities including the APS Reform Agenda, the AI Plan, digital inclusion and accessibility, and building capability across the public sector — while also advancing the Australian Computer Society's strategic priorities for the profession.

6
Award categories
3
Judging stages
200+
Expected attendees
1
Night to celebrate
 
Important dates

Key dates

Nominations open
Nominations close
Shortlist announced
Judging finalised
Finalists notified
Awards ceremony
 
 
13 Jul 2026
 
 
26 Aug 2026
 
 
9 Sept 2026
 
 
7 Oct 2026
 
 
13 Oct 2026
 
 
4 Nov 2026
  •  
    8 July 2026
    Nominations open
  •  
    26 August 2026
    Nominations close
  •  
    9 September 2026
    Shortlist announced — shortlisted nominees asked to submit a 2-minute video
  •  
    7 October 2026
    Judging finalised
  •  
    13 October 2026
    Finalists notified
  •  
    4 November 2026
    Awards ceremony — National Press Club Canberra
 
The awards

Award categories

Six categories recognising excellence across the APS digital profession — from emerging talent through to senior leaders driving transformation.

Rising Digital Changemaker
Recognising emerging APS digital talent making a meaningful early-career impact in digital, data or technology.
Lifetime Achievement in Public Sector Innovation
Honouring a distinguished career of sustained contribution and leadership in public sector digital transformation.
Public Sector Digital Ingenuity Award
Celebrating a project or initiative that demonstrates creative problem-solving and digital ingenuity in service delivery.
Digital Diversity, Accessibility & Inclusion
Acknowledging work that advances inclusion, accessibility, and diversity across the APS digital workforce or services.
AI Adopter of the Year
Recognising a team or individual leading responsible, impactful adoption of artificial intelligence within the APS.
ACS Member Excellence Award
A special award celebrating an ACS member's outstanding contribution to the technology profession in the public sector.
 
Tickets

Register to attend

Secure your place at the National Press Club Canberra for an evening of networking, recognition and celebration. All prices include GST.

ACS Member
$155.88
per person
 
ACS membership required.
Non-member
$210.88
per person
 
Open to all APS professionals.
Table of 9
$1,402.92
reserved table
 
Mixed members & non-members.
 
Partner with us

Sponsorship opportunities

Align your brand with the APS digital profession's premier recognition event. Connect with 200+ federal government decision-makers, agency leaders and digital professionals.

 
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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) can be nominated. For the ACS Member Excellence Award, you must be a current ACS active financial member.
An expert judging panel reviews all written nominations and creates a shortlist per category. Shortlisted nominees are invited to submit a 2-minute video before the panel finalises judging outcomes and selects winners.
No — nominations are open to all APS digital professionals regardless of ACS membership. The ACS Member Award specifically recognises an ACS member, but all other categories are open to all APS staff.
The awards ceremony is held on Wednesday 4 November 2026, 5:00pm–8:00pm at the National Press Club, 16 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600.
Yes — registrations are open to all APS professionals, decision-makers and industry guests. Whether you're supporting a nominee, connecting with peers or celebrating the sector's achievements, everyone is welcome.
The ACS & APS Digital Excellence Awards are delivered by ACS with support from the Digital Transformation Agency as part of the ACS–DTA Memorandum of Understanding, reflecting a joint commitment to supporting the APS digital workforce.
Contact Jenalle Bushby, Canberra Branch Manager, directly: Jenalle.Bushby@acs.org.au or call 0448 624 000. Sponsorship tiers range from $2,000 (Event Partner) to $10,000 (Platinum).
 

Join us on 4 November 2026

Secure your place at the National Press Club Canberra for an evening of networking, recognition and celebration across the APS digital community.

Register now  →