Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award
Nominations close: Wednesday 10 September 2025 at 5:00 pm
About the awards
The Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Awards recognise individuals and groups of young Canberrans aged 12 to 25 who’ve made a significant contribution to the ACT community.
The awards celebrate young people for achievements in sport, education, science, culture, the environment or personal development.
Who you can nominate
We encourage nominations from and for young people from all backgrounds and life experiences. You can nominate yourself or someone else.
Before you apply
Read the 2025 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award guidelines [Word 52KB].
Award categories
There are 5 award categories. You can nominate an individual or a group for more than one category.
Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award
This award recognises an individual aged 12 to 25 who:
- is an exceptional role model
- has championed youth issues
- has made significant contributions to the ACT through personal effort or community involvement.
This award is sponsored by Beyond Bank Australia.
Young Achiever Award
This award recognises an individual aged 12 to 15 who:
- demonstrates emerging leadership potential
- has championed the values of youth issues in the ACT
- has taken initiative to achieve goals that benefit their community in the ACT.
This award is sponsored by the ACT Youth Advisory Council.
Personal Achievement Award
This award recognises an individual aged 12 to 25 who has:
- overcome adversity to achieve their life goals
- shown exceptional commitment to achieving their goals
- advocated for young people or youth organisations in the ACT.
This award is sponsored by Anglicare ACT.
Environment and Sustainability Award
This award recognises an individual or a group of young people aged 12 to 25 who:
- have made a meaningful contribution conserving, rehabilitating, or sustaining the environment
- promote the development and benefits of environmentally responsible behaviour
- have contributed towards a cleaner, greener, and a more sustainable Canberra
- have driven positive environmental change locally.
This award is sponsored by Ginninderry.
Group Achievement Award
This award recognises a group or organisation that:
- has delivered initiatives that promote and benefit young people in the ACT
- has championed the values and needs of young people in the ACT
- has maximised existing or provided new opportunities/services to young people in the ACT.
This award is sponsored by the Australian Catholic University.
How to nominate
You can make a nomination online. You need to fill in a separate nomination form for each category or nominee. If you submit an incomplete form, it will not be accepted.
To nominate online:
- choose the award category
- attach supporting material
- submit your nomination before the close date.
Nominations close on Wednesday 3 September 2025 at 5:00 pm.
We recommend that you give a copy of your nomination form to any referees. This will help if the selection panel gets in contact with them.
How we choose a winner
The nominations are assessed by representatives from the ACT Government and award category sponsor.
The winners will receive their awards at a ceremony on 7 November 2025.
Sponsors
Sponsors for the 2025 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Awards:
- Beyond Bank Australia (Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award)
- ACT Youth Advisory Council (Young Achiever Award)
- Anglicare ACT (Personal Achievement Award)
- Ginninderry (Environment and Sustainability Award)
- Australian Catholic University (Group Achievement Award)
Past winners
Find all past winners of Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Awards.
Contact us
Call
02 6205 0563