Awards for Excellence
The VESPIIA Awards for Excellence celebrate the people and programs shaping the future of veteran and first responder support in Australia.
Across the sector, individuals and organisations are delivering real impact — often with limited resources and little recognition. These awards change that.
We’re shining a light on what good looks like. From innovative programs and research, to quiet achievers and frontline teams — this is your chance to be seen, to recognise your peers, and to show the value of the work our sector delivers every day.
Nominations open 30 June and close 4 August 2025.
The full list of award categories is below.
Download the 2025 Awards Kit for details on how to apply, eligibility, judging, and selection criteria.
Interested in sponsoring the awards?
Get in touch to support the sector and connect with leaders and changemakers across Australia.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
This award honours a volunteer or team of volunteers who have assisted through their efforts and dedication of time to an organisation and cause.
STAFFER OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the staff of the organisations, suppliers and Allieds who have made an outstanding contribution or achievement/s in their field, in support of Veterans, Emergency Services, Police and their families.
ACADEMIC OF THE YEAR
This award recognises an individual academic who has made an outstanding contribution within their university or institution to support Veterans, Emergency Services, Police, and their families.
STUDENT OF THE YEAR
This award recognises outstanding work by an individual tertiary student.
SERVICE CHAPLAIN OF THE YEAR
This award recognises a chaplain within Defence, Veterans, or First Responder agencies who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, compassion, and support to personnel and their families.
BEST STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
This award recognises highly successful partnerships that achieve mutual benefit and program success.
Sponsored by Homefront Australia
SUPPLIER TEAM OF THE YEAR
This award recognises suppliers who have established significant relationships and delivered significant outcomes (financial or other) to either other organisational members of VESPIIA or directly to the community we serve.
ALLIED TEAM OF THE YEAR
This award recognises Allied teams who have established significant relationships and delivered significant outcomes (financial or other) to either other organisational members of VESPIIA or directly to the community we serve.
ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR
This award category recognises organisations across all their teams/departments working across a variety of campaigns to support the ongoing work of the organisation.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
This award recognises new organisations, suppliers, and Allieds entering the market who have established significant relationships and delivered significant outcomes (financial or other) to either other organisational members of VESPIIA or directly to the community we serve.
TRANSITION PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
This award category recognises transition focused programs delivered to our community that had significant impact or outcomes.
Sponsored by CBA Veterans Employee Network
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
This award category recognises an organisation leading the way in developing a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce or beneficiary base through strategies, programs, policies, and practices.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
This award category recognises programs delivered to our community that had significant impact or outcomes in encouraging and supporting volunteering.
SOCIAL PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
This award category recognises social focused programs delivered to our community that had significant impact or outcomes.
RESEARCH PIECE OF THE YEAR
This award recognises an outstanding achievement in research in the advancement and identification of issues, challenges, and topics relevant to Veterans, Emergency Service, Police, and/or their families.
IMPACT ON A SHOESTRING
This award recognises fundraising and programs that achieve significant impact when limited investment is available.
IMPACT THROUGH EVENTS
This award recognises outstanding achievement in fundraising or beneficiary engagement through conducting a special event.