One of the highlights for many Australians in January is naming the Australian of the Year winners.
Many incredible individuals were nominated — see the full list of nominees here — but there can only be one winner.
There are four awards: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, and Australia’s Local Hero.
Also this year, in the wake of the Bondi Terror Attack, the Prime Minister has sought permission from Governor-General Sam Mostyn to create a Special Honours List to acknowledge the first responders. The list is being prepared.
So who won the national title? Read on to find out…
What are the Australian of the Year Awards?
The Australian of the Year Awards began in the 1960s. It is a way for the nation to celebrate notable Australians who are role models to us all. It is held every year on 25 January, on the eve of Australia Day.
There are four categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, and Local Hero.
Previous winners on the roster include Olympian Emma McKeon AM (Young Australian of the Year 2024), Paralympian Dylan Alcott AO (Australian of the Year 2022), activist Grace Tame (Australian of the Year 2021), tennis champion Ash Barty AO (Young Australian of the Year 2020), and family violence campaigner Rosie Batty (Australian of the Year 2015) just to name a few.
In 2025, the Australian of the Year was Neale Daniher AO.
The 63-year-old former AFL player (for Essendon FC), is a co-founder of FightMND Foundation, a charity to find a cure for motor neurone disease (MND). The disease is a progressive disease that takes away one’s muscle control by affecting the motor neurons. This includes one’s ability to move, speak, swallow and breathe. To date, Neale’s charity has raised and invested over $100 million into medical research in Australia. Furthermore, there is currently no treatment or cure for the disease.
Who is the Australian of the Year 2026?
The Australian of the Year is Kathleen Bennell-Pegg. The 41-year-old is the first woman to qualify to be an astronaut under Australia’s own space program. She graduated from training in 2024 and was one of six people chosen for the program from over 22,500 applicants.
“But that moment, when I received the blue flight suit with the Australian flag on the shoulder, was really special,” she told The Weekly in 2024. “That’s when it became very real to me … To be the first person officially representing Australia as an astronaut is such an honour.”
“Katherine is forging new frontiers for Australians in space engineering, research and exploration,” said National Australia Day Council CEO Mr Mark Fraser AO CVO.
“Her work is shaping the future not only in space, but in everyday life through the impact of research and development. She leads by example, openly sharing her story to inspire the next generation and reminding us all of the power of a dream and where determination can lead.
Who is the Senior Australian of the Year?
The Senior Australian of the Year 2026 is Professor Henry Brodaty AO. Thanks to Professor Henry’s tireless work in dementia research, care, and diagnosis, he has improved countless lives around Australia and the world.
His work is inspired by his father, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 52 years old. Then, in 1974, the disease was little understood. Henry made it his mission to change that.
In 2012, Henry co-founded the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, and his large Maintain Your Brain trial showcased that straightforward, cost-effective, targeted interventions can greatly delay onset and even prevent dementia.
In the ceremony on 25 January, Henry dedicated his win to “all of us who are older” and, in particular, those who have or will have dementia.
Who is the Young Australian of The Year 2026?
The Young Australian of the Year is none other than homeless-fighting and long-distance running, Nedd Brockman.
Confronted with the issue of homelessness in Australia, the then 22-year-old set off on a mission.
No template / Incompatible templateIn 2022, he ran from Perth’s Cottesloe Beach to Sydney’s Bondi Beach. It was a 3,952km journey over 46 days. In doing so, he set a record: being the fastest ever Australian to do so. Since then, Nedd has raised over $2.6 million to end homelessness.
Who is Australia’s Local Hero for 2026?
Indigenous construction leader, Frank Mitchell, is Australia’s Local Hero. The proud Whadjuk-Yued Noongar man is the co-director of Wilco Electrical and co-founder/director of Kardan, Baldja and Bilyaa
Getting his electrical apprenticeship felt like a major opportunity to him as a young single father. So when he started his businesses, he used it as an opportunity to lift up his community. Today, his companies have created over 70 Aboriginal upskilling positions in the electrical and construction industry, including 30 electrical apprenticeships and have awarded over $11 million to Aboriginal subcontractors.
