2026 ACT Chief Minister's Inclusion Awards - Excellence in Inclusive and Innovative Employment Practices

Submissions are now being accepted. Submissions close at 5:00PM 15 September 2026 (AEST).

IMPORTANT: Please read the information below to assist you in completing your submission.

Before you begin

Welcome to the ACT Health and Community Services Directorate's online Award Nomination application service, powered by SmartyGrants. If this is the first time you are applying using SmartyGrants, click ‘Start a Submission’, then ‘Register here’.

Click here to view the guidelines.

For queries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the form, please call us on (02) 6207 1086 and leave a message so the Office for Disability can return your call or email OfficeForDisability@act.gov.au and quote your submission number.

Presentation of Awards

The 2026 award winners will be announced on Wednesday 9 December 2026 at a gala Awards dinner in the National Ballroom of the Hotel Realm in Barton.

Further event and ticketing information will become available on the ACT Inclusion Council website at: http:// actinclusion.com.au/

Before nominating an Award, nominators should review the Award options and the associated behaviours the nominee must have demonstrated before making a selection.

There are a total of 6 Inclusion Awards, each with their own nomination form:

  1. Leader in Inclusion - nomination form is here.
  2. Excellence in Inclusive and Innovative Employment Practices - nomination form is here. 
  3. Excellence in Collaborating with people with Disability - nomination form is here. 
  4. Excellence in Access and Inclusion - nomination form is here. 
  5. Excellence in Innovation and Impact - nomination form is here. 
  6. Sue Salthouse Award for Championing Human Rights and Equality - nomination form is here. 

Each award will recognise one winner, and up to two finalists. The Judging Panel may also award a commendation.

  1. Leader in Inclusion

Recognises a person with disability who is a leader in community. The nominee will have made a significant personal contribution to creating change that promotes the full and equal participation of all people in the ACT.

This nominee will have demonstrated one or more of the following behaviours:

  • achieved improved outcomes for all people in the ACT through promoting change to legislation, policy, or programs.
  • changed community attitudes through activities such as awareness-raising or other behaviour change initiatives.
  • increased the visibility of disability by promoting the diversity of disability issues and
  • designed and implemented activities, initiatives, processes, systems or programs that delivered better access or inclusion experiences for people in the

Nomination form can be found here.

  1. Excellence in Inclusive and Innovative Employment Practices

Recognises initiatives that deliver improved access or employment outcomes for people with disability by creating positive open employment experiences or opportunities.

This nominee will have demonstrated one or more of the following behaviours:

  • Utilised inclusive workplace practices beyond basic expectations, such as: 
  •  
    • developed employment targets or implemented identified roles to capitalise on the skills and experiences of people with disability.
    • created a culture of inclusion by providing ongoing education and training on disability awareness and accessibility, for management and employees.
    • developed and implemented an effective Disability Action and Inclusion
    • created meaningful and successful work experience opportunities for students with disability.
  • Utilised inclusive recruitment practices beyond basic expectations, such as:
  •  
    • designed accessible recruitment processes that were welcoming, accessible and responsive to people with disability.
    • created accessible and welcoming job advertisements that were written in plain English, accessible by assistive technology, and clearly articulated information about the approach to reasonable adjustments is provided.

Nomination form can be found here.

  1. Excellence in Collaborating with People with Disability

Recognises outstanding consultation and co-design efforts and the creation of strong, equal partnerships with people with disability. The nominee will have delivered improved outcomes, while amplifying the diverse experiences, views, and needs of people with disability.

This nominee will have demonstrated one or more of the following behaviours:

  • supported, enabled, and collaborated with people with disability to:
  • identify and respond to priority issues;
  • be involved in making decisions;
  • review progress and outcomes; and
  • be appropriately remunerated for time, skills, and
  • implemented initiatives to increase the inclusion and representation of people with disability in leadership and governance roles.
  • implemented engagement approaches to ensure people with disability were consulted and had appropriate opportunities to co-design on matters, including policies, programs, or services.
  • have found new or creative ways to collaborate with people with disability to achieve positive outcomes.

Nomination form can be found here.

  1. Excellence in Access and Inclusion

Recognises an organisation or individual who took action to enhance the full and effective participation of people with disability through:

  • promoting the benefits of inclusion to the whole community,
  • creating an environment that includes and values people with disability, and
  • improving access to information and environment, including social

This nominee will have demonstrated one or more of the following behaviours:

  • prioritised, developed, and distributed information in accessible formats and ways, such as:
    • resources are written in plain English and is available in alternative formats such as Easy Read.
  • Auslan interpreters are proactively utilised to ensure meetings, events, and media is accessible.
  • Web content is accessible (e.g., meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines with user testing).
  • prioritised projects or initiatives that brought about improved access and inclusion of people with disability beyond minimum standards (e.g., built a Changing Place so everyone has access to suitable, safe, and private bathroom facilities).
  • developed an impactful awareness campaign, or initiative, that promoted inclusion and value of people with disability to community, working to create a culture that values people with disability.
  • enhanced opportunities for people with disability to learn new skills, engage with new interests, or showcase diverse talents and perspectives.
  • created impactful opportunities for people with disability to access cultural life and tourism, including accessible and inclusive events, nightlife, arts, theatre, and social

Nomination form can be found here.

  1. Excellence in Innovation and Impact

Recognises exceptional, creative and forward-thinking approaches that advance and welcome people with disability in their workplace, business and community.

This nominee will have demonstrated one or more of the following behaviours:

  • developed and implemented a comprehensive Disability Action and Inclusion Plan (DAIP), ensuring your workplace, product or services are accessible and inclusive to people with disability, and is registered with the Australian Humans Rights Commission and publicly available (e.g., on your website).
  • developed innovative programs or services that addressed an identified gap that responds to the needs of people with disability.
  • codesigned research or developed a product or service that led to significant positive outcomes to the lives of people with disability (e.g., developed a program that utilises or increases access to assistive technology for people with disability).
  • supported another organisation, individual or business to be disability responsive and

Nomination form can be found here.

  1. Sue Salthouse Award for Championing Humans Rights and Equality

Recognises excellence in the promotion and fulfillment of human rights for people with disability.

This nominee will have demonstrated one or more of the following behaviours:

  • significant contributions to protect and advance the human rights of people with disability, through legislation policy and practice.
  • actively promoted and upheld the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities principles and expectations.
  • is a strong leader in reducing barriers, championing and securing rights promotion, protection and/or attitudinal change activities.
  • has contributed above and beyond and is recognised in community for significant and enduring contributions.

Nomination form can be found here.

If you need help using this form, download the Help Guide for Applicants or check out Applicant FAQ's.

Navigating through the form

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Attachments

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You need to allow enough time for each file to upload before trying to attach another file. Files can be up to 25MB each; however, we do recommend trying to keep files to a maximum of 5MB – the larger the file, the longer the upload time.

Collaborating on your submission

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  1. you have created a SmartyFile Organisation and
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Session time-out warning

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You’ll be prompted 90 seconds before your session expires, with the option to extend your session or log out. If you don’t respond to the prompt in time, your form will be automatically saved before your session ends.

Even so, we recommend saving your form regularly – especially when working on longer responses – to avoid losing any work.