Shaping Australia Awards: The Community Champion Award
The Shaping Australia Awards celebrate the remarkable work of Australian universities. From groundbreaking research and innovation to developing the skilled workforce of the future, our universities are driving impact in the communities they serve.
This year’s 15 outstanding finalists showcase how universities are solving real-world problems and creating a more sustainable and inclusive Australia.
The Australian public is invited to support and vote for their favourite projects.
This year, there are two projects relevant to the education sector under the Community Champion Award which honours an individual, team or university with deep ties to its community and the people who call it home, beyond just those who attend the institution.
- Breaking barriers in communication: transforming access for Deaf and Deafblind Australians - Monash
- Community first - centring Autistic voices at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre - La Trobe
People’s choice voting closes: Monday 19 January 2026
