Nominations have opened for the 2026 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government, recognising women and councils making significant contributions to leadership, gender equality and community service across New South Wales.
Now in their 19th year, the annual awards celebrate women working at every level of local government, including elected councillors, senior executives, professional staff, apprentices, trainees and emerging leaders.
Nominations will remain open until 28 August 2026, with the winners to be announced at NSW Parliament House on 22 October.
Eight award categories available
The 2026 program includes eight categories, each offered across metropolitan and rural or regional councils.
Two new categories—Excellence in Mentoring and Sponsorship and Emerging Councillor Leadership—have been introduced this year.
The additions expand recognition beyond established senior leaders to women supporting the development of others and councillors demonstrating strong leadership during their first term.
The eight categories are:
Rising Star Award
This category recognises an outstanding female council employee aged 25 or younger, including an apprentice, trainee or cadet.
Nominees should demonstrate strong performance, initiative and leadership potential early in their local government careers.
Champion of Change Award
The award recognises a council general manager or senior leader who has delivered meaningful cultural or structural reform to improve gender equity.
Eligible achievements may include changing recruitment and promotion practices, improving workplace flexibility or creating stronger pathways for women into leadership positions.
Breaking Barriers Award
This category celebrates a woman who has challenged traditional career pathways or helped dismantle gender stereotypes within local government.
It may recognise women succeeding in fields where they have historically been under-represented, including engineering, infrastructure, planning, construction, operations and executive leadership.
Excellence in Gender Equity Award
Unlike the individual categories, this award recognises an entire council.
It is intended for councils demonstrating effective policies and workplace practices that support women’s participation, career progression and leadership.
Woman of Distinction Award
The Woman of Distinction Award recognises a woman who has demonstrated sustained excellence, integrity and leadership.
Nominees should have made a positive contribution to their council, organisation, community or the broader local government sector while serving as a role model for others.
Excellence in Councillor Leadership Award
This category recognises an experienced female councillor who has strengthened the representation, influence and participation of elected women in local government.
It focuses on leadership within the elected council environment rather than employment within a council organisation.
Excellence in Mentoring and Sponsorship Award
Introduced for 2026, this category recognises a woman who has actively supported the professional development and advancement of other women in local government.
The award distinguishes formal or informal mentoring from sponsorship, through which senior leaders may advocate for women and help connect them with career and leadership opportunities.
Emerging Councillor Leadership Award
Also introduced this year, the award recognises a first-term female councillor who has demonstrated strong early leadership, commitment to public service and a meaningful contribution to her council or community.
Awards recognise both employees and elected representatives
The awards cover a broad range of roles within NSW councils.
Potential nominees may include mayors, councillors, general managers, executives, engineers, planners, community service employees, operational workers, apprentices and other council staff.
Some categories recognise individual achievement, while the Excellence in Gender Equity Award evaluates the policies and performance of a council as an organisation.
Nominations should clearly address the criteria for the selected category and provide evidence of the nominee’s contribution and impact.
Women hold 40 per cent of councillor positions
NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said women now represented approximately 40 per cent of elected councillors following the latest local government elections.
He described this as meaningful progress but said further work was required to ensure councils reflected the diversity of the communities they represented.
The awards are intended to recognise women already making a difference while encouraging stronger participation and leadership across the sector.
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said women serving as mayors, councillors, executives and council employees played a central role in determining the services and priorities shaping local communities.
She said the awards recognised both individual excellence and the broader influence women had on local decision-making.
Nominations close in August
Nominations for the 2026 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government close on 28 August.
Eligible nominations can be submitted through the NSW Office of Local Government.
The awards will be presented by the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Women during a ceremony at Parliament House on 22 October 2026.
Until the nomination and assessment process is completed, no finalists or winners have been confirmed.
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