Nomination information

The annual Achiever Awards provide recognition, encouragement and financial assistance to young people aged 15 to 25 years who are or have been in the care of the Department of Communities and are undertaking further education and training that is not school based.

If you know a young person who is or has been in Communities’ care and is currently enrolled in their first degree, diploma, certificate, apprenticeship, traineeship, or course at an approved institution, they may be eligible for an award.

Award recipients receive funding to assist with further study and/or training.

Nominations can be made by the case manager, education officer, Aboriginal practice leader, foster carer, relative or another interested person.

Nominations are invited into three award categories:

University Achiever Award

For a young person who has successfully completed Year 12 or equivalent and is currently in their first degree at university.

Prize: $4,000 + trophy

Registered Training Achiever Award

For a young person who is undertaking their first non-school based vocational education and training course in a Certificate III or higher at a registered training organisation or is undertaking a university preparation course at a university.

Prize: $1,000 + trophy

Apprenticeship or Traineeship Achiever Award

For a young person who is undertaking their first apprenticeship or non-school-based traineeship.

Prize: $1,000 + trophy

Additional award

The Community Spirit Award will be presented to an Achiever Award winner who has also made an important contribution in their community demonstrating impact on their school, work, cultural, local or other community endeavours including volunteering and/or advocacy.

Prize: $1,000 + trophy

Criteria

To be considered for an award, the young person must:

• be aged between 15 and 25 years
• have spent at least 12 months in care of the Department of Communities
• be currently enrolled in their first course of study at an approved educational or training institution, or an apprenticeship or traineeship, or who has completed or is due to complete a Certificate III course between November 2025 and July 2026.

Important: Previous Achiever Award winners cannot be nominated again in the same category.

Requirements for nomination:

The following forms need to be completed or provided to ensure a nomination is eligible. All information must be provided for nominees to be considered.

1. Nominee's contact details
2. Nominator's contact details
3. Category to be entered into (nominator to complete)
4. Nominee's current situation (nominator to complete)
5. Nominee's education and training goals (nominee to complete)
6. Copy of course enrolment or written confirmation of apprenticeship or traineeship
7. Completed and signed copies of the following forms, which are available on the Achiever Awards forms page:

   1. Form C221a – Request for Payment Form

   2. As a requirement for winners to receive their prize, please provide a copy of a bank statement. (Note: We do not need to see your account balance). The bank statement must clearly show:

      - Bank logo or bank name
      - Bank account name
      - BSB
      - Bank account number

   3. Instrument of authority (only if over 18 years old)

   4. Photography and media form

8. Declaration

Presentation events

Award nominees and two guests of their choice will be invited to attend a presentation event in Perth to be held on Friday 24 July 2026.

The Department will meet the travel costs and the cost of one night’s accommodation for regional award nominees and one carer/guardian to attend the presentation event. All other costs (including transport, food and drink during their stay) are to be covered by the nominee and their carer/guardian.

Important dates

Close of nominations

• Friday 8 May 2026

Finalists are notified

• Monday 1 June 2026

Achiever Awards 2026 event

• Friday 24 July 2026

Save and continue later option

At any point you can opt to save your uncompleted application as a draft. To do this, click on the 'Save' button at the bottom of the page.

Nominee and nominator details

To be submitted by nominator – please complete all fields

Step one

Nominee contact details

Step two

Nominator contact details

Step three

To be completed by nominator

Step four

To be completed by the nominee's case manager, education officer, foster carer or other interested person

Step five

To be completed by nominee with as much detail as possible.

Step six

Step seven

Please upload completed and signed copies of the following forms, which are available on the Achiever Awards forms page:

1. Form C221a – Request for Payment form
2. As a requirement for winners to receive their prize, please provide a copy of a bank statement. (Note: We do not need to see your account balance.) The bank statement must clearly show:
   - Bank logo or bank name
   - Bank account name
   - BSB
   - Bank account number
3. Instrument of Authority (only if over 18 years old)
4. Photography and Media form
   

Step eight

To be completed by the nominee

If you have a question about the Achiever Awards, please send an email to:
achieverawards@communities.wa.gov.au

Nominations close Friday 8 May 2026

Community Spirit Award (optional)

Your nominee will also be considered for the Community Spirit Award, which celebrates leadership and community service.

The award recognises a young person who has made an important contribution to their community and demonstrates qualities such as initiative, enthusiasm, leadership and commitment.

Please provide a brief outline of your nominee’s volunteer or leadership work and/or contributions to their community: