We are looking for exceptional innovators in Western Australia who have developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, or service, which is at the emerging innovation or growth phase of development. The innovation must demonstrate an economic, social, and/or environmental benefit to Western Australia.
Now in its 19th year, the 2025 program recognises WA innovators across 7 categories. Category winners will share in the program's largest ever prize pool of over $280,000. In addition to the funding available, the WAIOTY program offers all finalists:
- A professionally edited video of their innovation which is shown at the Awards Ceremony and is gifted to the finalist following the conclusion of the program for marketing and promotion of their business and innovation.
- Professional photographs of the company and their innovation.
- Featured in a Business News full-page spread with their finalist peers.
- An invitation to an 'Accelerator Program', with workshops and webinars to refine your pitch presentation, protect your IP, grant writing and more.
More information on the relevant categories is available below, including how to apply. This year we proudly feature a new award category for Western Australia's young innovators.
All award winners will be announced at the WAIOTY Awards Ceremony, which will take place on Monday 3 November 2025.
Find detailed application guidelines in these documents:
- WAIOTY 2025 Application Guidelines
- Government Innovators of the Year: Application Guidelines
- Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) WA Young Innovators of the Year: Application Guidelines
These application guidelines can also be accessed under 'Publications' at the bottom of the page.
UPDATE: Applications for the 2025 WAIOTY program are now closed.
For further information, email the innovation team at innovation@jtsi.wa.gov.au.
Program sponsors
Thank you to the official sponsors of the 2025 awards.
WA's Innovators of the Year – Rio Tinto Emerging Innovation
Show moreThe WAIOTY winner in the 'Emerging' category is awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that is pre-revenue. The applicant must also clearly demonstrate an economic, social and/or environmental benefit to Western Australia. The winner will also receive the benefits of a PhD student, through the support of Biodesign Australia.
Cash prize: $60,000
Runner-up: WA's Innovators of the Year – Rio Tinto Emerging Innovation
Awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service, and is placed second in this category. The applicant must also clearly demonstrate an economic, social and/or environmental benefit to Western Australia.
Cash prize: $15,000
Applications closes at 11am (AWST) on Wednesday 11 June 2025. Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the Western Australia's Innovators of the Year: Application Guidelines attached below under 'Publications'.
WA's Innovators of the Year – Rio Tinto Growth Innovation
Show moreThe WAIOTY winner in the 'Growth' category is awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process, or service that is post-revenue. The applicant must also clearly demonstrate an economic, social and/or environmental benefit to Western Australia.
Cash prize: $60,000
Runner-up: WA's Innovators of the Year – Rio Tinto Growth Innovation
Awarded to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that is post-revenue, and is placed second in this category. The applicant must also clearly demonstrate an economic, social or environmental benefit to Western Australia.
Cash prize: $15,000
Applications closes at 11am (AWST) on Wednesday 11 June 2025. Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the Western Australia's Innovators of the Year: Application Guidelines attached below under 'Publications'.
Woodside Energy Platinum Award for Energy Innovation
Show moreThe award in this category goes to a WA applicant who has developed an innovation that inspires and informs the future direction of oil, gas, and new energy production in WA, for export and for domestic WA customers, with new technology and new business models.
To be considered for this award you need to indicate via a tick box on the online application form under the Platinum Sponsor Awards tab.
Cash prize: $30,000
Applications closes at 11am (AWST) on Wednesday 11 June 2025. Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the Western Australia's Innovators of the Year: Application Guidelines attached below under 'Publications'.
Wesfarmers Wellbeing Platinum Award
Show moreThe award in this category goes to a WA applicant who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that advances social or medical wellbeing in the community.
To be considered for this award you need to indicate via a tick box on the online application form under the Platinum Sponsor Awards tab.
Cash Prize: $30,000
Applications closes at 11am (AWST) on Wednesday 11 June 2025. Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the Western Australia's Innovators of the Year: Application Guidelines attached below under 'Publications'.
Business News Great for the State
Show moreThe award in this category goes to a WA applicant that has a compelling story to tell and best promotes WA as an ‘innovative state’. How did the innovation come about? What is the founders’ story? What problem does the innovation solve, and how, and why would this be of interest to a general business/news audience? Could the story be told in an engaging way on a podcast for example?
To be considered for this award you need to indicate via a tick box on the online application form under the Platinum Sponsor Awards tab
Advertising, subscription and sponsorship pack to the value of $20,000.
Applications closes at 11am (AWST) on Wednesday 11 June 2025. Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the Western Australia's Innovators of the Year: Application Guidelines attached below under 'Publications'.
WA Government Innovation Award
Show moreThe award in this category celebrates innovative Western Australian public servants who have created novel products, services, technology and innovations as part of their work which help improve government services, and add value to public service delivery.
Expressions of interest will close at 1pm (AWST) on Friday 25 July 2025. Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the application guidelines attached below under 'Publications'.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) WA Young Innovators of the Year
Show moreThe award in this category acknowledges and rewards exceptional young innovators in Western Australia who have developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, or service that clearly demonstrates an economic, social or environmental benefit to Western Australia.
Expressions of interest will close at 1pm (AWST) on Friday 25 July 2025. Late applications or changes to applications will not be accepted after the closing date and time.
Before applying, please read the application guidelines attached below under 'Publications'.
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