Nominate for the
Digital Excellence Awards
Delivered by ACS in partnership with Digital Transformation Agency
Recognise outstanding work
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.
The process
How nominations work
A straightforward four-stage process from written submission through to the gala ceremony.
01
Submit your nomination
Complete the written nomination form online. Provide supporting evidence, examples and context for your nominee's work.
02
Shortlisting & video pitch
An expert judging panel from across the APS digital profession reviews all submissions and shortlists nominees, who are then invited to submit a brief 2-minute video.
03
Judging finalised
The judging panel reviews video submissions and finalises outcomes, selecting three finalists per category.
04
Winners announced
Winners are revealed at the gala ceremony on 4 November 2026 at the National Press Club Canberra.
Choose your category
Which category fits?
Review the six award categories and select the one that best matches your nominee's work. You may submit nominations for more than one category.
Rising Digital Changemaker
Early-career APS digital professionals making an impact
Lifetime Achievement in Public Sector Innovation
A distinguished career of sustained contribution
Public Sector Digital Ingenuity Award
Creative problem-solving and smarter service delivery
Digital Diversity, Accessibility & Inclusion
Advancing inclusion across the APS digital workforce or services
AI Adopter of the Year
Responsible, impactful AI adoption within the APS
ACS Member Award
Outstanding contribution by a current ACS member
Nomination tips
How to write a strong nomination
Judges read every submission carefully. Here's what makes a nomination stand out.
TIP 01
Be specific with evidence
Avoid general statements. Use specific examples, outcomes and data where possible. "Improved service delivery by 40%" is far stronger than "improved service delivery".
TIP 02
Focus on impact, not activity
Judges want to know what changed as a result of the work — for citizens, for the agency, for the profession. Describe the before and after, not just what was done.
TIP 03
Match the category criteria
Each category has specific criteria. Read them carefully and address each one directly in your submission. A well-matched nomination scores significantly higher than a general one.
Don't miss out
Key dates
13 Jul 2026
26 Aug 2026
9 Sept 2026
7 Oct 2026
13 Oct 2026
4 Nov 2026
- 13 July 2026Nominations open
- 26 August 2026Nominations close
- 9 September 2026Shortlist announced — shortlisted nominees asked to submit a 2-minute video
- 7 October 2026Judging finalised
- 13 October 2026Finalists notified
- 4 November 2026Awards ceremony — National Press Club Canberra
FAQ
Nomination questions
Yes — you may submit nominations for multiple people or across multiple categories. Each nomination requires a separate submission form.
There are no strict word limits, but concise, well-evidenced nominations are preferred. Judges appreciate quality over quantity — focus on clear examples and measurable outcomes rather than length.
We recommend informing your nominee, particularly as shortlisted nominees will be asked to submit a 2-minute video. Surprise nominations are accepted, but you should be prepared to make contact if they are shortlisted.
You'll receive a confirmation email. The expert judging panel will then review all submissions after nominations close. Shortlisted nominees will be contacted directly and invited to submit a 2-minute video before the panel finalises judging outcomes.
Please contact us at Jenalle.Bushby@acs.org.au if you need to update a submitted nomination. We'll do our best to accommodate changes before the closing date.
An expert panel drawn from across the APS digital profession reviews all nominations. Panel members are selected for their expertise in digital, data and technology and their standing within the public sector community. Panel members do not assess nominations from their own agencies.
Ready to submit?
Complete the official nomination form online. Nominations close 26 August 2026 — don't leave it to the last minute.
Start your nomination →