Indigenous Governance Awards 2026 applications open now

Reconciliation Australia and the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute (AIGI) are proud to launch the Indigenous Governance Awards 2026 (IGA).

Now in their twenty-first year, the awards publicly recognise and celebrate outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations and groups that, through their effective governance models, make extraordinary contributions to communities and to the nation.

The awards, held every two years, are a partnership between Reconciliation Australia and AIGI, with support from the BHP Foundation.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and groups are highly encouraged to apply, with prizes including a share in $60,000 and professional development, media and networking opportunities.

Awards support effective governance and self-determination

Reconciliation Australia CEO, Karen Mundine, said effective Indigenous governance was a prerequisite for self-determination, which is a key principle of reconciliation.

‘The IGAs promote governance and clearly demonstrate the value of First Nations leadership to advance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights and secure justice,’ she said.

‘The achievements of previous IGA finalists show us what is possible when communities are in control.

‘The enormous successes of these organisations highlight the importance of First Nations leadership in governance as the most effective way of achieving meaningful change and reconciliation.

‘Governments, corporates and indeed all Australians need to learn from and support these self-determined solutions by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.’

In launching the awards, AIGI CEO Ragina Rogers shared:

‘Our peoples have governed ourselves for thousands of generations, and today Indigenous-led organisations continue that legacy by embedding culture, kinship and community expectations at the heart of their decision-making.

‘The Indigenous Governance Awards recognise the incredible work of groups who walk in both worlds, and show what effective, culturally legitimate governance can achieve.’

CEO of 2024 Category 3 winner Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation, Nathan McIvor, said the experience had given the board and senior managers a boost in confidence and made governments and corporations take notice of their other successes.

‘Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation has won many awards over the year, but I can honestly say that there has been no other award which has had more impact than the Indigenous Governance Award we took home,’ he said.

‘We know that without effective governance, we wouldn’t be where we are today.’

There are three award categories celebrating outstanding examples of governance:

• Category One: Indigenous-led unincorporated organisations and groups
• Category Two: Indigenous-led small to medium incorporated organisations, with under $1 million in annual revenue.
• Category Three: Large Indigenous-led incorporated organisations with over $1 million in annual revenue