Central Coast Council recognises the achievements of individuals and groups who have made an outstanding contribution to their local community through the Australia Day Awards 2026.

Set out below, is the selection criteria for each category. Please be sure to respond to each of the relevant criteria in your submission, which will go before the Selection Panel.　

The most outstanding nominees will be chosen for all categories with one winner selected in each category.

General

• Nominations open 9am, Monday 14th June 2025.
• Nominations must be received by 9am, Monday 21st July.
• Late nominations will not be accepted.
• Nominations will only be accepted via the online form and not in any other format. 
• The decision of the Central Coast Council Australia Day Awards Selection Panel is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
• The Selection Panel reserves the right to move nominations to a category they deem to be more appropriate.

Eligibility Criteria

The nominee:

1. Must be an Australian Citizen and MUST live in the Central Coast Local Government Area.  
2. Will have made a significant community contribution over a long term.
3. Should be a role model that people can aspire to.
4. Should be someone Council can advertise and promote as such.
5. The nominee and the nominator must be separate individuals (i.e., you cannot nominate yourself).
6. Unsuccessful nominees may be re-nominated in subsequent years.
7. Ages are correct as of Friday 9th January 2026.

Criteria for the Community Group Award

• Recognises the important and inspirational work of a community organisation, in community services, wellbeing and community safety.

Criteria for the Community Life Award

• Recognises an individual person that has made a valuable contribution to the community through the fields of sports, arts, culture or environment.

Criteria for the Volunteer Award

• An individual volunteer who has made a significant long-term commitment to volunteer work within the community.
• Someone who has demonstrated outstanding service, commitment, and dedication to our local community through their volunteer work in a non-paid capacity.

Criteria for the Young Person Award

• Recognising the outstanding contributions of an individual person of 25 years of age or under who has made a significant contribution to the community.
• Someone who has achieved high levels in their field and acts as an inspiration and role model to their peers.

Criteria for the Senior Citizen Award

• Recognising the outstanding contributions of an individual person of 60 years of age or over who has made a significant contribution to the community.

Criteria for the Central Coast Council Citizen of the Year

• Demonstrated excellence in their field over an extended period of time.
• Demonstrated significant contribution across more than one category area.
• Demonstrated community leadership capacity.
• Ability to represent Central Coast Council as "Citizen of the Year".

Central Coast Citizen of the Year Award

The Central Coast Citizen of the Year winner will be selected by the Selection Panel, based on merit, from the winners of each Award Category.

Therefore, the next highest ranked nominee in that Award Category from which the Citizen of the Year is selected will become the winner of that Category.

Nominees will only be eligible to receive one Australia Day Award from Central Coast Council.

For queries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the form, please contact us on 4306 7900, Events Team during business hours or email events@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au