Celebrating excellence in student voice practice across Australasia

Student Voice Awards

The Student Voice Australasia Student Voice Awards recognise students, staff and institutions that are leading the way in embedding student voice, agency, and partnership into all levels of institutional decision making. Whether you're just starting out or have a mature model of student voice and engagement—your impact matters, and we want to celebrate it. 

VIEW THE 2025 FINALISTS AND WINNERS
NOMINATE HERE FOR THE 2026 AWARDS

Award Categories 

There are four award categories, designed to recognise students, staff, institutions and projects that are committed to enhancing student voice. 

Read below the four categories, including eligibility. 

  • For students or student‑led teams creating meaningful change through student voice.

    Recognises individual students or student teams who have demonstrated leadership by initiating, leading or shaping work that amplifies student voice and improves the student experience.

    Eligibility

    • Currently enrolled tertiary or vocational students in Australasia

    • Individuals or student‑led teams

  • For institutions or teams embedding student voice into systems, culture or governance.

    Recognises organisations or teams who have moved beyond consultation to embed student voice as a core part of institutional decision‑making, culture or teaching practice.

    Eligibility

    • Universities, TAFEs, VET providers, or student‑led organisations across Australasia

    • Nominations may be submitted by staff or students

  • For educators or professional staff who champion, enable and elevate student voice.

    Recognises educators or professional staff who consistently create opportunities for students to lead, partner and influence decisions, and who advocate for inclusive student voice practice.

    Eligibility

    • Staff across educational contexts in Australasia

    • Must be nominated by at least one student

  • For partnerships where students and staff or partners co‑led work with real‑world impact.

    Recognises collaborative initiatives where students were genuine partners or co‑leaders, not just participants, and where outcomes created meaningful change.

    Eligibility

    • Cross‑sector initiatives, networks or joint projects

    • Must demonstrate shared leadership with students

Nominations 

Nominations are now open to students, staff, and institutions across Australasia.

NOMINATE HERE VIA THE ONLINE FORM

The process is designed to be simple and inclusive. No lengthy reports required—just a clear story of what was achieved and why it matters. 

Eligibility

  • Nominations are open to:

    • Students, staff, and education institutions across Australasia

    • Individuals, teams, partnerships, or organisations

    • Self‑nominations or nominations by others

    Multiple nominations are welcome.
    It is acceptable for the same individual, team, or institution to be nominated more than once, provided each nomination relates to a separate initiative or award category.

  • Eligible activities must have occurred, been active, or demonstrated impact between:

    • 1 July (previous year) and 1 July (current year)

    This timeframe will remain consistent each year.

    Ongoing or long‑term initiatives are eligible, provided the application clearly describes the impact or outcomes achieved within this period.

  • To ensure fairness and avoid duplication:

    • The previous year’s award winners may not be nominated again for the same initiative, project, or body of work.

    • Previous nominees (including shortlisted or highly commended entries) are welcome to be nominated again for the same or updated work, provided it demonstrates impact within the eligible timeframe.

    The previous year’s winners may be nominated again for:

    • a different initiative or project, or

    • a different award category, where the nomination reflects new or distinct work within the eligible timeframe.

    Individuals, teams, or institutions may be nominated multiple times in the same year where nominations relate to separate initiatives or award categories.

    Each nomination is assessed independently and on its own merit.

Key Dates 2026

  • Applications Open: 7 April

    Applications Close: 1 July

  • Winners Announced:

  • Thursday 8 October Student Voice Symposium, Canberra.

What the Awards are 

Winners in each category will receive:

  • Announcement and presentation at the Student Voice Symposium

  • A digital and printed certificate of recognition

  • The opportunity to be featured in the Student Voice Australasia website and monthly newsletter

  • A media kit to help you celebrate and share your win

Highly commended entrants may also be recognised where appropriate.

How nominations are assessed

All nominations are assessed using three equally weighted criteria, regardless of award category.

Judges look for balance across impact, partnership and inclusive student voice practice, recognising that meaningful student voice work brings all three together.

  • Impact & Change

  • Student Leadership & Partnership

  • Inclusion & Student Voice Principles‍ ‍

Each application is assessed on its merit and context — you don’t need to be large or well‑resourced to win. ‍ ‍

Judges look for authenticity, creativity, and meaningful change, based solely on the information provided in the nomination.‍

Nominations are reviewed by a panel of students and professional staff from Student Voice Australasia’s Operational Committee. Conflicts of interest are managed in line with SVA governance processes.‍

Nominees with the highest combined scores will be shortlisted as finalists, with the highest being awarded as winners at the Student Voice Symposium. ‍ ‍

Supported By

We thank our sponsors for their support and shared belief in the power of student voice.

2026 PLATINUM SPONSORS: EXPLORANCE

Questions  

If you have any questions or require support- we are here to help!

Please contact the SVA Coordinator via sva@unisq.edu.au