Awards for
Excellence
2027 — Part of Future Frontlines, Adelaide
Recognising best practice, strong outcomes and outstanding contribution across the veterans, emergency services and police support sector. Now in its fourth year.
We're planning to open nominations around 1 June 2027. Subscribe to Field Notes and we'll let you know the moment they're open — along with any updates on categories or criteria.
How nominations work
Nominations are submitted online. You'll be asked for a short written nomination and supporting material relevant to the category you're nominating in.
Choose your category
Review the categories below to find the right fit. Criteria and scoring weightings are published in the Awards Kit when nominations open.
Prepare your materials
Gather a short written nomination, evidence of outcomes, a high-res logo, and images suitable for publication.
Get approval
Submissions must be approved by your Board Chair, CEO, or Head of Department before you submit.
Submit before closing
Complete the online form and upload supporting materials before the closing date. No late entries accepted.
Award categories
Seventeen categories across individual achievement, organisational and team excellence, and programs delivered to the community. Categories are subject to minor review between years.
Individual awards
- Volunteer of the Year
- Staffer of the Year
- Academic of the Year
- Student of the Year
- Service Chaplain of the Year
Organisation and team
- Organisation of the Year
- Supplier of the Year
- Best Strategic Partnership
- Allied Team of the Year
- New Kid on the Block
Program and impact
- Transition Program of the Year
- Social Program of the Year
- Volunteer Program of the Year
- DEI Program of the Year
- Impact Through Events
- Impact on a Shoestring
- Impact Through Creativity
Two additional categories — Research Piece of the Year and the Ministers Award — are judge-selected rather than peer-nominated.
Stay in the loop
Subscribe to Field Notes to be notified when nominations open, when finalists are announced, and for updates on the awards evening.
Awards cocktail evening
The Awards for Excellence evening brings together the sector to celebrate finalists and announce winners. Date and venue for 2027 to be confirmed.
An evening for the sector
The 2026 Awards Evening was held in Perth on 3 September — livestreamed nationally to Twitch, LinkedIn, YouTube and Riverside FM. More than 200 people tuned in to see winners announced across 15 categories.
Details for the 2027 Awards Evening will be announced when nominations open. Subscribe to Field Notes to stay across updates.
Previous years
The VESPIIA Awards for Excellence has recognised the sector's best since 2024. Browse previous winners and categories.
Sponsor the Awards for Excellence
Awards sponsorship puts your organisation at the centre of the sector's premier recognition evening — with naming rights, presentation opportunities and direct access to sector leaders across veterans, emergency services and police industries.
- Speaking opportunity at the ceremony
- 10 tickets to the Awards Evening
- Present an award of your choosing
- Named across all event collateral
- AV/logo display throughout the evening
- Professional photography of guests
- Acknowledged in media and social
- 12 months VESPIIA membership
- 8 tickets to the Awards Evening
- Present an award of your choosing
- Named across all event collateral
- AV/logo display throughout the evening
- Professional photography of guests
- Acknowledged in media and social
- 12 months VESPIIA membership
- 6 tickets to the Awards Evening
- Present an award of your choosing
- Named across all event collateral
- AV/logo display throughout the evening
- Professional photography of guests
- 12 months VESPIIA membership
- 4 tickets to the Awards Evening
- Present an award of your choosing
- Named across all event collateral
- AV/logo display throughout the evening
- 12 months VESPIIA membership
Packages can be tailored. The above represents minimum inclusions at each tier.
To discuss, contact VESPIIA or email events@vespiia.org.
Awards Kit
The Awards Kit contains full criteria, scoring weightings, eligibility requirements and guidance on preparing a strong nomination for each category. The 2026 kit is available now — 2027 will be published when nominations open.
Download 2026 Awards KitQuestions or sponsorship
If you have questions about categories, eligibility, the awards evening or sponsorship opportunities, contact the VESPIIA team directly.
events@vespiia.org