The nominee must be an individual that is working in the public purpose sector, who identify as women, gender diverse, trans or non-binary, and meets the eligibility criteria below. An unsuccessful nominee may be renominated in subsequent years.

Criteria eligibility questions (maximum 300 words each):

1. How has the nominee demonstrated an exceptional contribution to the community through their work as part of the public purpose sector? 
2. How has the nominee demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in the public purpose sector? 
3. Provide examples of how the nominee has demonstrated positive and proactive leadership behaviours, including demonstrating integrity and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. For “Established Leaders” outline how they have created a culture of integrity and inclusivity. For “Emerging Leaders” outline how the nominee represents the next generation of public sector leaders. 
4. Provide examples of what your nominee is doing to support other women in the sector. 

Nominations can be submitted by any employee across the Victorian public purpose sector, including Victorian community organisations, academics and experts, private firms and all three levels of government in Victoria – Commonwealth, State and Local.  

Self-nomination is permitted and non IPAA Victoria members are welcome to nominate.  

Nominations should not be revealed to the nominee until the IPAA Victoria Board has made its final decision and successful nominations have been contacted. 

Nominations and supporting documentation are submitted online via our awards platform called Award Force. To start your nomination: 

1. Register for an account at IPAA Victoria (awardsplatform.com). 
2. Complete the online nomination form. A copy of the nomination questions is available as an attachment to these guidelines as a reference guide for the information you will need. You can save and resume your nomination online at any time before nominations close, please ensure all contact details are provided. 
3. Submit the completed nomination. Receipt of nomination will be acknowledged on submission.  

If available, please include a bio and headshot of your nominee with your submission. If these are not provided, and your nominee is selected as a finalist, IPAA Victoria will request them upon notification of the successful nomination.

1. By submitting a nomination, the nominator (the person submitting this nomination) has obtained relevant permissions from the nominating organisation(s)/department(s) agreeing that IPAA Victoria is entitled to use information and images contained in the nomination, in full or amended, in marketing and communication activities and that the information and images provided have the appropriate internal copyright clearances and approvals. 
2. Each nomination must be endorsed by the relevant executive representative (e.g. Deputy Secretary, General Manager) in line with internal approval processes. It is the nominator’s responsibility to secure this endorsement and provide the endorsee’s name, title, and contact details in the Awards platform at time of nomination. 
3. All nominations must be confidential and should not be revealed to the nominee until the IPAA Victoria Board has made its final decision and successful nominations have been contacted. 
4. All nominations must be submitted by the published deadline. 
5. Nominations should address all the criteria (4 questions, max 300 words each) to the category of either Emerging or Established Leader. If for any reason a criterion cannot be addressed, a justification must be provided.  
6. Entries will be assessed based on information and documentation provided in the nomination. 
7. All costs associated with the preparation of nominations and attendance at the awards ceremony is the responsibility of the nominator.  
8. All decisions and recommendations of the awards’ judges and the IPAA Victoria Board are final, and binding and no correspondence will be entered into. On request, IPAA Victoria will provide brief feedback following the awards ceremony.  
9. Each finalist (Top 50 winner) must be endorsed by the relevant department or organisation head (e.g. Secretary, CEO etc). IPAA Victoria will seek to secure this endorsement before announcing any winners.  
10. Being listed as an Award winner does not constitute an explicit, or implicit, endorsement by IPAA Victoria or its partners.  
11. Top 50 winners are asked to be available for the award ceremony on 6 August 2026 and may be called onto, to participate in awards marketing and communication activities before and following the awards ceremony. 

Pre-assessment stage
The IPAA Victoria team reviews all applications to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.

Judging stage
Members of IPAA Victoria’s Awards Advisory Committee (comprising subject matter experts from across the public purpose sector), are each assigned nominations. They independently assess and score each submission against the established criteria. Appropriate governance, due diligence and conflicts of interest processes are used.

The Top 50 list is recommended to the IPAA Victoria Board for final approval.

If you require any information or clarification, please contact a member of the team on awards@vic.ipaa.org.au. 

Not yet a member?  

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