The call for entries has officially been announced for the 2026 Future of Ageing Awards.
Now in its eighth year, the Future of Ageing Awards have become a flagship initiative of this publication, recognising excellence across aged care services and honouring the individuals driving positive change in leadership roles.
The awards are the sector’s ultimate gala celebration, shining a spotlight on the teams, technology, research and service models that have shaped culture, delivered positive impact and pushed the industry forward.
Since launching in 2019, the awards program has played a key role in sharing better practices across the sector. Detailed profiles and Q&A’s with each winner and highly commended recipients are published, with a focus on practical learnings that can be replicated elsewhere. A key judging criterion is whether a nomination is scalable and sustainable, with the potential to be rolled out across multiple sites.
This year, entrants are encouraged to carefully review the refreshed entry criteria before preparing their submissions.
Who can enter
Aged care providers, industry leaders and suppliers with innovative solutions that demonstrate measurable success are encouraged to apply. Many previous winners have partnered with providers to showcase real-world outcomes and measurable improvements for older Australians. For further information and to enter, visit: futureofageing.com.au
Award categories for 2026 include:
- Technology: Business
- Technology: Consumers
- People & Culture
- First Nations Communities
- Community Engagement
- Consumer Experience
- Neurological Care
- Social Inclusion
- Property & Design
- Research Project
- Health & Wellbeing
- Service Transformation
- Emerging Leader – recognising someone who has displayed exceptional leadership after moving into a leadership role within an aged care service provider during the past three years
- Leader of the Year – awarded to a senior executive currently working for an aged care service who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to driving innovation and excellence over the past two years
Inside Ageing is encouraging entries in the people-focused categories, highlighting the professional visibility that comes with recognition. Kelvin Neave, Leader of the Year in the 2025 awards, said the impact extended well beyond the gala night. Read the Q&A with Kelvin Neave here…
“The publication of my Q&A following being recognised as Leader of the Year has been fantastic at my end. Now being asked to speak at a conference, and have just been a guest on a podcast.”
Kelvin Neave, CEO, Dougherty Apartments
Meet the Judges for the 2026 Future of Ageing Awards
Winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Sydney on Thursday, October 8, 2026, bringing together leaders from across the aged care sector for a night of celebration and recognition.
The entry process is online, with submissions closing on July 12, 2026.
Questions can be directed to: awards@insideageing.com.au
