Western Australia's (WA) Innovators of the Year awards program recognises local businesses, government entities and young people that have developed an outstanding innovative product, technology or service.
Launched in 2006, the program has celebrated WA’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit for 20 years.
Administered by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification, the program has also raised the profile of WA’s innovation ecosystem, helped to spotlight local talent and supported the growth of the State’s innovation-based industries.
In 2026, the program will recognise WA innovators across eight award categories:
- Emerging Innovation Award
- Growth Innovation Award
- Advanced Manufacturing Award
- Community Benefit and Wellbeing Award
- Energy Innovation Award
- Government Innovation Award
- Great for the State Award
- Young Innovators Award
This includes a new category, Advanced Manufacturing, awarded to a WA applicant who has used advanced technology and knowledge inputs as an integral part of their manufacturing process to create efficient, higher value-add and more complex manufacturing goods across the manufacturing value chain.
All finalists will receive a professional video of their innovation and photography session, as well as an invitation to an Accelerator program, aimed at upskilling early and growth-stage innovators and entrepreneurs.
Winners will share in a prize pool of up to $310,000 to support the commercialisation development of their innovation.
To be eligible, the innovative product, technology or service must be at the emerging or growth phase of development and demonstrate an economic, social, and/or environmental benefit to WA.
To apply or learn more, please refer to the WA Innovators of the Year: 2026 Applicant Guidelines and information provided below.
All award winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony to be held on Monday 2 November 2026.
Applications for Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year 2026 program are now open.
Emerging Innovation Award
Show moreThe Emerging Innovation Award is awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that is pre-revenue and demonstrates an economic, social and/or environmental benefit to WA.
This category awards a winner and runner-up.
Winner: Cash Prize of $60,000 (excl. GST) and the benefits of a PhD student
Runner-Up: Cash Prize of $15,000 (excl. GST)
Applications close at 11am AWST, Wednesday 27 May 2026. Late applications, or changes to applications, will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Potential applicants are highly encouraged to read through the Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year: 2026 Application Guidelines.
Growth Innovation Award
Show moreThe Growth Innovation Award is awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that is pre-revenue and demonstrates an economic, social and/or environmental benefit to WA.
This category awards a winner and runner-up.
Winner: Cash Prize of$60,000 (excl. GST) and the benefits of a PhD student
Runner-Up: Cash Prize of $15,000 (excl. GST)
Applications close at 11am AWST, Wednesday 27 May 2026. Late applications, or changes to applications, will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Potential applicants are highly encouraged to read through the Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year: 2026 Application Guidelines.
Advanced Manufacturing Award
Show moreThe Advanced Manufacturing Award is awarded to a WA applicant who has used advanced technology and knowledge inputs as an integral part of their manufacturing process to create efficient, higher value-add and more complex manufacturing goods across the manufacturing value chain.
This includes using research, knowledge, advanced processes and/or business models including additive manufacturing, automation, Industry 4.0 and/or 5.0 digital technologies and/or robotics.
To apply for this award, please indicate via a tick box on the online application form under the Platinum Sponsor Awards tab.
Winner: Cash Prize of $30,000 (excl. GST)
Applications close at 11am AWST, Wednesday 27 May 2026. Late applications, or changes to applications, will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Potential applicants are highly encouraged to read through the Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year: 2026 Application Guidelines.
Community Benefit and Wellbeing Award
Show moreThe Community Benefit and Wellbeing Award is awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that advances social and/or medical wellbeing in the community.
To apply for this award, please indicate via a tick box on the online application form under the Platinum Sponsor Awards tab.
Winner: Cash Prize of $30,000 (excl. GST)
Applications close at 11am AWST, on Wednesday 27 May 2026. Late applications, or changes to applications, will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Potential applicants are highly encouraged to read through the Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year: 2026 Application Guidelines.
Energy Innovation Award
Show moreThe Energy Innovation Award is awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that inspires and informs the future direction of oil, gas, and new energy production in WA. The innovation must be for export and WA customers, employing new technology and new business models.
To apply for this award, please indicate via a tick box on the online application form under the Platinum Sponsor Awards tab.
Winner: Cash Prize of $30,000 (excl. GST)
Applications close at 11am AWST, Wednesday 27 May 2026. Late applications, or changes to applications, will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Potential applicants are highly encouraged to read through the Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year: 2026 Application Guidelines.
Government Innovation Award
Show moreThe Government Innovation Award is awarded to innovative WA public servant(s) who have created an outstanding innovative novel product, service, or technology that helps improve government services and adds value to public service delivery.
The winner will receive up to five (5) places on the Australian Innovation Management Institute (AIMI): Certified Innovation Catalyst Program.
Applications close at 1pm AWST, Friday 24 July 2026. Late applications, or changes to applications, will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Potential applicants are highly encouraged to read through the Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year: 2026 Guidelines – Government Innovation Award.
Great for the State Award
Show moreThe Great for the State Award is awarded to a WA innovator whose bold innovation showcases the State’s creativity and ingenuity, and offers clear benefits for WA’s economy, community and/or environment.
The winning innovation will resonate with a broad audience, address state-specific challenges or leverage WA’s unique strengths and reinforce WA’s reputation as an innovative state.
To apply for this award, please indicate via a tick box on the online application form under the Platinum Sponsor Awards tab.
The winner will receive a cash prize of $15,000 (excl. GST) plus an advertising, subscription and sponsorship pack to the value of $15,000 with Business News.
Applications close at 11am AWST, Wednesday 27 May 2026. Late applications, or changes to applications, will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Potential applicants are highly encouraged to read through the Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year: 2026 Application Guidelines.
Young Innovators Award
Show moreThe Young Innovators Award is awarded to a high school aged individual or team (1 to 5 people) who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that clearly demonstrates an economic, social or environmental benefit to Western Australia.
The winner or winning group will receive a cash prize of $1,000 (excl. GST), participation in a Masterclass run by the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) and participation in West Tech Fest events and activities.
Applications close at 1pm AWST, Friday 24 July 2026. Late applications, or changes to applications, will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Potential applicants are highly encouraged to read through the Western Australia’s Innovators of the Year: 2026 Guidelines – Young Innovators Award.
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