Australian Human Rights Awards 2026

Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Australian Human Rights Awards is an annual celebration of human rights achievements. Join us and 600 guests from across the country to acknowledge and share the important work of individuals and organisations making valuable contributions to promoting and protecting human rights in Australia. This year's awards also mark 40 years of the Australian Human Rights Commission, highlighting 4 decades of promoting and protecting human rights. Finalists will be honoured across 5 categories: • Human Rights Medal • Young People’s Award • Media and Creative Industries Award • Community Award • Law Award The Awards night brings together people from across the human rights, humanitarian, legal, government and community sectors for a memorable celebration of human rights heroes. Read about the finalists. Awards Ceremony • Thursday 10 December, 6.30pm-8.30pm with pre-ceremony reception from 5.30pm • University of Technology Sydney Great Hall, UTS Building 1, 1/15 Broadway, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW • The ceremony will also be livestreamed nationally via Zoom. Link will be made available on the AHRC website. Guests are invited to enjoy canapes and beverages pre- and post-ceremony. About the Australian Human Rights Awards The Awards were established by the Australian Human Rights Commission in 1987 to recognise the contributions of individuals across the nation who made it their life’s mission to champion human rights, social justice and equality for all. Over three decades the Awards has evolved, with a range of different awards presented at various times to respond to relevant changes across our society and culture. The esteemed Human Rights Medal remains the only category from the inaugural Awards. The first Human Rights Medal winner was Indigenous activist Rose Colless OAM, who was acknowledged for her tireless work in drug and alcohol rehabilitation initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In the following years, the Human Rights Medal was awarded to other individuals including Fred Hollows, Peter Greste, Dorothy Hoddinott AO, Ian Thorpe, Jonathan Thurston, The Hon Peter McClellan AM QC and Chrissie Foster AM, Rosemary Kayess and most recently, Juliana Nkrumah AM. Enquiries For more information about the event or how to participate, please contact us at [email protected]