The Indigenous Governance Awards share the success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations from around Australia.
The awards are held every two years and are proudly presented in partnership by Reconciliation Australia and the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute, with support from the BHP Foundation.
Indigenous Governance Awards 2026
Do you lead or know of an Indigenous-led organisation, project or initiative demonstrating outstanding governance?
Expressions of interest are now open for the Indigenous Governance Awards 2026. Please fill out this form to be the first to know when applications and nominations open in January.
Be the first to know when applications and nominations open for the Indigenous Governance Awards 2026.
All the latest updates on past winners and finalists, as well as key developments in governance.
Learn more about the outstanding governance practices of our most recent winners and finalists.
Awards information
Categories
There are three award categories for outstanding examples of governance in Indigenous-led organisations:
Category 1: Non-incorporated organisations, initiatives or projects.
Category 2: Small to medium incorporated organisations.
Category 3: Large incorporated organisations.
Application and selection steps
- Apply or nominate: submit an application with supporting documents or nominate an organisation.
- Review and shortlist: review committee makes a shortlist for each category.
- Judging: independent judging panel chooses three finalists for each category.
- Site visits: judging panel members will visit each finalist which includes photos and video and possible media coverage.
- Final selection: judging panel decides winners and highly commended recipients.
- Announcement: winners and highly commended recipients announced at the awards event.
The judging panel gives feedback to all organisations that apply. Applying is a great way to reflect on your governance and get expert advice based on your application.
Prizes
Cash prize for winners of each category.
All finalists receive an awards package:
- An offer to participate in a partnership opportunity with a leading RAP organisation, as chosen by the finalist
- A Reconciliation Australia award to commemorate their achievement
- Travel for two members to attend the awards event
- A communications package of photos and footage from the judges’ site visit to their organisation
- Promotional coverage including on the awards website
- An invitation to meet with Parliamentarians to promote Indigenous Governance in practice.
Judging criteria
Self-determination
Self-determination and strengthening self-governance and leadership for its members and community, including that:
- the governance arrangements put Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the driver’s seat
- the organisation actively engages and maintains positive relationships with its stakeholders and wider community
- it encourages community participation and listens to feedback
- it pursues long-term goals that align with their community’s aspirations.
Effectiveness
Effectiveness in solving problems, overcoming challenges and achieving positive results, including whether:
- the governance model and processes help it to achieve its purpose
- it has clear definitions of governance success and a process to measure achievement
- it has proven processes to manage disputes, complaints, or conflict.
Cultural legitimacy
Cultural legitimacy in fitting, reflecting, and strengthening the community’s or region’s culture, including whether:
- the community or region’s cultural beliefs, values, rules and traditions are at the heart of its governance model and processes
- culture plays an important role in how it functions
- it actively engages with members/community and reflects their interests and it has the support of the community
- it adapts to the needs of the community.
Innovation
Innovation and ingenuity in delivering unique, creative and resourceful governance practices in response to local conditions and circumstances.
Sustainability
Sustainability in planning for the future and adapting to changing circumstances, including whether:
- it has a clear vision and prepares for the future
- it’s open and responsive to change and adaptation
- it has established a process for succession
- it actively develops future leaders.
Previous winners & finalists
Take a look at the winners and finalists from previous Indigenous Governance Awards:
The Indigenous Governance Awards 2020 were postponed due to the pandemic.
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