2026 Achiever Awards
If you know a young person who has been in Communities’ care and is currently enrolled in their first degree, diploma, certificate, apprenticeship, traineeship, or course at an approved institution, or who has completed their Certificate III course between November 2025 and July 2026, they may be eligible for an award.
Award recipients receive funding to assist with further study and/or training.
Nominations can be made by the case manager, education officer, Aboriginal practice leader, foster carer, relative or another interested person.
There are three award categories
University Achiever Award:
- For a young person who has successfully completed Year 12 or equivalent and is currently in their first degree at university.
- Prize: $4,000 + trophy
Registered Training Achiever Award:
- For a young person who is undertaking their first non-school based vocational education and training course in a Certificate III or higher at a registered training organisation or is undertaking a university preparation course at a university.
- Prize: $1,000 + trophy
Apprenticeship or Traineeship Achiever Award:
- For a young person who is undertaking their first apprenticeship or non-school-based traineeship.
- Prize: $1,000 + trophy
Additional award:
- The Community Spirit Award will be presented to an Achiever Award winner who has also made an important contribution to their community, demonstrating impact on their school, work, cultural, local or other community endeavours including volunteering and/or advocacy.
- Prize: $1,000 + trophy
Criteria
To be considered for an award, the young person must:
- be aged between 15 and 25 years
- have spent at least 12 months in care of the Department of Communities
- be currently enrolled in their first course of study at an approved educational or training institution, or an apprenticeship or traineeship, or who has completed or is due to complete a Certificate III course between November 2025 and July 2026.
Important: Previous Achiever Award winners cannot be nominated again in the same category.
Presentation event
Award nominees and two guests of their choice will be invited to attend a presentation event in Perth to be held on Friday 24 July 2026.
The Department will meet the travel costs and the cost of one night’s accommodation for regional award nominees and one carer/guardian to attend the presentation event. All other costs (including transport, food and drink during their stay) are to be covered by the nominee and their carer/guardian.
Important dates
Close of nominations: Friday 8 May 2026
Finalists are notified: Monday 1 June 2026
2026 Achiever Awards event: Friday 24 July 2026
Payment
Achiever Award winners may be eligible for a monetary prize. To ensure a smooth process post event, a ‘Request for payment’ form and evidence of their bank and bank account is required to be completed by/for all nominees and returned at the time of the nomination being submitted.
How to nominate for the Achiever Awards
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