Nominations open for 2026 Autism Queensland Recognition Awards
27 Jul 2026
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Recognition Awards, and we’re inviting you to help shine a light on the outstanding achievements, advocacy, inclusion and support happening across our state.
Autism Queensland’s annual Recognition Awards celebrate autistic people and the communities who go above and beyond to include and support them.
Whether it’s a young person achieving a personal goal, an adult making an impact in their field, a parent or carer creating change, or a school, early childhood centre or organisation leading the way in inclusion, your nomination can help ensure their contribution is recognised and celebrated.
Nominations are being accepted in the following categories:
Junior Achievement Award
This award recognises the exceptional achievements of an autistic Queenslander under 18. These achievements can include but are not limited to:
- Sporting excellence
- Artistic contributions
- Academic accomplishments
- Advocacy efforts
- Overcoming adversity to reach personal goals.
Individual Achievement Award
This award celebrates the outstanding achievements of an autistic Queenslander aged 18 and over. Achievements can be diverse, including, but not limited to:
- Professional excellence
- Research contributions
- Personal achievements in sports, academics, or family life
- Advocacy efforts.
Parent/Carer Community Champion Award
This award acknowledges Queensland parents and carers who, through their lived experience, have become powerful voices and change makers, demonstrating leadership, compassion and vision in supporting their autistic family member and the broader community through awareness, education or systemic change.
School/Early Childhood Education Award
This award acknowledges the exceptional efforts of a Queensland school, early childhood education centre or kindergarten. It focuses on:
- Understanding the unique needs of autistic students or young children
- Providing holistic and inclusive support
- Ensuring maximum outcomes for students or young children in their care.
Community Inclusion Award
This award recognises a community group, organisation, or initiative that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to creating inclusive environments, programs, and practices that empower and support autistic people. It focuses on leadership in fostering understanding, accessibility, and meaningful participation for autistic people within their broader communities including:
- Inclusive Practices: Policies, programs, or services.
- Community Impact: Demonstrated outcomes and measurable benefits to the autistic community (e.g. improved access, increased participation, enhanced awareness).
- Innovation: Creative or unique approaches to inclusion.
- Collaboration: Partnerships with autistic individuals, advocacy groups, or other stakeholders to prioritise autistic voice in business.
- Sustainability: Ongoing commitment to inclusion beyond a single event or short-term initiative.
Nominations close11:30pm, Monday, 24 August 2026.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Who can make a nomination?
Anyone can submit a nomination, including family members, friends, colleagues, schools, early childhood services, community organisations, allied health professionals, service providers, autistic people, and members of the community.
All nominees must reside in Queensland.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes. Self-nominations are welcomes.
Please note: AQ, its staff, and AQ School are not eligible to be nominated in any Awards categories. While we always welcome feedback, these nominations cannot be accepted.
Award Recipients:
- An Award winner will be selected for each category.
- The judging panel may award any number of special commendations
- Award Recipient(s) and Special Commendations will be acknowledged on the Autism Queensland website.
- Autism Queensland will also present a Patronage Award to recognise a business or individual who has made a major contribution to the organisation and/or its mission.
How to submit:
All nominations must be made on the official Nomination Form.
- Carefully read the criteria for the different awards and choose the category that best suits the person/school/organisation etc you are nominating. You may nominate a person in more than one category, however each nomination must be completed on a separate form.
- Ensure you have permission to share the nominee’s personal details with Autism Queensland. You are welcome to include supporting information (eg Resume, brochures, essays, media articles, web links, copies of art work) etc.
What the judging panel will look for:
- Nominations that best fit the Award Category and criteria.
- Clear and concise reasons for the nomination.
- Clear description of the nominee’s involvement and achievements in the field of autism relating to the award category, and if possible backed by supporting information.
Additional Guidelines:
- If you are nominating someone for an Award you MUST notify them, or in the case of a school/early childhood education provider/business, their key contact, before submitting the nomination. They should also be aware, that, if selected as a finalist, their details may be used in the promotion of these and future Awards.
- Autism Queensland reserves the right to use the material submitted for promotion of the Awards as well as those that are held into the future.
- Autism Queensland will not accept any responsibility for lost or misdirected nominations.
Please note: Finalists will be notified in October.
Enquiries: [email protected].
