ACEL National Awards 2026
Recognition of the profession by the profession
Proudly peer nominated

 

ACEL National Awards are presented to those individuals or teams who have made a significant educational contribution and influenced education at a national level in Australia and beyond.

 

All awards are open to both ACEL members and non-members and are proudly peer-nominated. Nominations received will be considered by the National Awards Committee.

Detailed Guidelines for Nominations including criteria and required evidence are available below.

To submit one or more nominations by the close date, complete the form at the bottom of this page.

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ACEL Gold Medal

The ACEL Gold Medal is the most prestigious honour awarded by ACEL and is presented to an Australian educator whose influence and contribution to the study and practice of educational leadership is assessed as most outstanding at the national level. The contribution by the awardee is consistent with the vision, mission and objectives of ACEL.

ACEL Fellowship Award

The Fellowship is ACEL’s second-highest honour, following the Gold Medal, and recognises educators who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in education. This award celebrates individuals whose contributions to ACEL and/or to educational practice have had a substantial and sustained impact at a national or international level. It honours those who have advanced the profession through achievements that extend significantly beyond the responsibilities of their day-to-day roles.

ACEL Hedley Beare Award for Educational Writing

This award aims to promote quality writing by educators about educational leadership. This award is presented annually for an outstanding piece of educational writing (which may take various forms) that has provided new and significant knowledge about educational leadership. This award was introduced in 2002 as the ACEL Award for Educational Writing. Following its award to Hedley Beare, he graciously consented to the naming of the award in his honour.

ACEL Nganakarrawa Award

ACEL presents the Nganakarrawa Award (pronounced nana-ga-raa-wa) to those whose general excellence in educational leadership and whose learning, experience and contribution have earned lasting respect and gratitude. With its origins in the Ndjebbana language of central Arnhemland, the term Nganakarrawa refers to ‘those who move about, all seeing, all knowing, knowledgeable and well regarded.’

ACEL Keith Tronc Award for Outstanding Leadership

This award is to an early career teacher who has demonstrated outstanding practice in the classroom and as a result has made a significant difference to colleagues and the lives of students. The awardee must have made a significant contribution to the improvement of student and educational outcomes. This category is open for nominees in their first five years of teaching.

ACEL Leadership Award.

The Leadership Award acknowledges individual educators and teams who have demonstrated outstanding leadership through specific projects or initiatives. This award celebrates leadership excellence in driving innovation, conducting impactful research, or influencing educational policy. Recipients of this award are acknowledged for their role in achieving measurable improvements for students and/or colleagues.

ACEL National Media and Journalism Award

This award is presented to an awardee for their ongoing contribution and commitment to reporting in the arena of educational issues and their commitment to recognising and encouraging student and teacher voice on the critical issues affecting education settings across Australia.

ACEL Presidential Citation (discretionary)

The Presidential Citation is an occasional award given by the President to recognise outstanding service to Australian education. It is presented to someone who has made an outstanding contribution in furthering the vision, mission and objectives of ACEL.

The work of each nominee will be reviewed against criteria based on each specific award. Evidence provided must also demonstrate impact at a system, state and/or national level. This process is completely confidential. The ACEL Awards Committee has provided information in regard to nomination requirements, criteria for Fellowships and Awards and also provided guidelines and sample documentation to assist with the nomination process.

The 2026 National Awards will be announced in June and will be presented at the formal ceremony after the close of Day 1 of the ACEL National Conference 2026. Information in regard to the conference is available on our website at: acel.org.au/calendar

Nominations close
Wednesday 8 April at 11.59pm (AEDT)

Fill out the online form.