Celebrating Excellence in Workplace Safety: 2026 Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards
Zenergy invites you to be part of the prestigious
2026 Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards (AWHSA)
—a national platform dedicated to recognising outstanding achievements in workplace health and safety. These awards celebrate individuals and organisations that are making a real impact in fostering safer, healthier work environments.
Why Nominate?
Workplace health and safety (WHS) is fundamental to building strong, sustainable businesses. The AWHSA shines a spotlight on those driving cultural and systemic improvements in WHS, from inspiring leaders to forward-thinking organisations implementing innovative safety solutions. If you or your organisation have demonstrated excellence in workplace safety, this is your opportunity to gain well-deserved recognition.
Key Dates
Nominations Open:
1 May – 31 July 2026
Finalists Announced:
7 September 2026
Gala Evening:
12 Novemeber 2026, Sydney
Individual Awards
WHS Leader of the Year (Small & Large Organisations)
Recognising individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in WHS, driving cultural and systemic improvements.
Criteria
NominateThere are two awards for this category:
- Less than 1,000 employees
- Greater than or equal to 1,000 employees
Eligibility
- Open to executives, senior managers, and WHS leaders.
- Must be nominated by a third party (e.g., employer, colleague, industry association).
- Nominee must have a minimum of five years of WHS leadership experience.
Entry Criteria
- Demonstrated impact of leadership on WHS improvements.
- Evidence of cultural and behavioural change in workplace safety.
- Quantifiable results (e.g., reduced incident rates, increased employee engagement).
- Testimonials from employees, peers, or industry stakeholders.
- Compliance disclosure*
- Less than 1,000 employees
WHS Rising Star
Honouring an emerging WHS professional who exhibits exceptional promise, innovation, and leadership potential.
Criteria
NominateEligibility
- Open to WHS professionals with less than five years of experience in the industry.
- Must be nominated by a third party (e.g., employer, colleague, industry association).
Entry Criteria
- Examples of innovative contributions to WHS.
- Evidence of professional growth and leadership
- Testimonials from supervisors or colleagues.
- Supporting documents demonstrating achievements or quantifiable results.
- Open to WHS professionals with less than five years of experience in the industry.
HSR of the Year
Celebrating a Health & Safety Representative (HSR) who has made a significant contribution to improving WHS through advocacy, engagement, and proactive initiatives.
Criteria
NominateEligibility
- Open to elected HSRs across all industries.
- Must be nominated by a third party (e.g., employer, colleague, industry association).
Entry Criteria
- Examples of initiatives led to improve safety.
- Evidence of collaboration with workers and management.
- Testimonials from colleagues, unions, or management.
- Supporting evidence such as risk assessments, training materials, or case studies.
- Compliance disclosure*
- Open to elected HSRs across all industries.
Organisational Awards
WHS Team of the Year
Recognising a WHS team that has excelled in implementing innovative safety initiatives, fostering a strong safety culture, and achieving measurable improvements.
Criteria
NominateEligibility
- Open to WHS teams within organisations of any size and industry.
- Nominations can be made by a third party OR a self-nomination. Self-nominations require a third party endorsement.
Entry Criteria
- Description of the team’s WHS initiatives and impact.
- Evidence of measurable safety improvements.
- Testimonials from stakeholders.
- Supporting documents, such as reports, project summaries, or case studies.
- Compliance disclosure*
Best Health & Wellbeing Strategy
Awarding organisations that have successfully implemented workplace health and wellbeing strategies enhancing employee wellness and mental health.
Criteria
NominateEligibility
- Open to elected HSRs across all industries.
- Must be nominated by a third party (e.g., employer, colleague, industry association).
Entry Criteria
- Examples of initiatives led to improve safety.
- Evidence of collaboration with workers and management.
- Testimonials from colleagues, unions, or management.
- Supporting evidence such as risk assessments, training materials, or case studies.
- Compliance disclosure*
- Open to elected HSRs across all industries.
Best WHS Training & Development
Recognising excellence in WHS training programs that enhance worker skills, safety awareness, and workplace safety culture.
Criteria
NominateEligibility
- Open to organisations that provide WHS training internally.
- Open to organisations that have provided WHS training externally on behalf of an organisation.
- Nominations can be made by a third party OR a self-nomination. Self-nominations require a third party endorsement.
- Training programs or initiatives must have been active for at least 6 months.
Entry Criteria
- Overview of training objectives and methodology.
- Evidence of participant engagement and completion rates.
- Demonstrated improvements in workplace safety metrics post-training.
- Testimonials from trainees and management.
- Compliance disclosure*
Best WHS Technology Innovation (Small & Large Organisations)
Celebrating organisations that have developed or implemented cutting-edge technology solutions to improve workplace health and safety.
Criteria
NominateThere are two awards for this category:
- Less than 1,000 employees
- Greater than or equal to 1,000 employees
Eligibility
- Open to organisations that have developed or implemented technology on behalf of an organisation
- Nominations can be made by a third party OR a self-nomination. Self-nominations require a third party endorsement.
Entry Criteria
- Description of the innovation and its objectives.
- Demonstrated impact using measurable data (e.g., reduced injury rates, efficiency improvements).
- Evidence of scalability and adaptability to other workplaces.
- Testimonials from employees or management.
- Risk assessment to identify potential unintended consequences.
- Compliance disclosure*
Best Recovery & Return to Work Award
Recognises organisations that excel in helping injured or unwell employees achieve a safe and sustainable return to work. Entries should demonstrate proactive initiatives, effective collaboration, and measurable outcomes that support recovery and successful workplace reintegration.
Criteria
NominateEligibility
- Open to organisations operating within Australia.
- Applicable to employers, organisations, or business units responsible for managing return-to-work (RTW) programs and practices.
- Eligible initiatives must have been implemented or actively operating within the last 12–24 months.
- Submissions may include partnerships with insurers, rehabilitation providers, or other stakeholders; however, the organisation's leadership, contribution, and ownership of the initiative must be clearly demonstrated.
To be eligible, nominations must highlight initiatives or achievements from 1 January 2024 onwards.
Be Part of Australia’s Premier WHS Awards
Whether you’re a rising WHS professional, a dedicated safety leader, or an organisation pioneering workplace health and safety initiatives, we encourage you to nominate. These awards not only celebrate excellence but also inspire continuous improvement in workplace safety standards across Australia.
Join us in recognising industry leaders and innovators who are shaping a safer future for workplaces nationwide.
Don't miss your chance to be part of this prestigious event! Start preparing your nomination today.
