Inaugural HR Innovation Awards launches

HR Leader and principal partner DLPA are thrilled to launch the HR Innovation Awards for 2026.

The HR Innovation Awards is a national celebration of the leaders, teams, and organisations transforming the world of work. This inaugural program recognises the bold ideas, strategic vision, and measurable impact driving the evolution of HR across the country.

From influential HR directors and people culture leaders to forward-thinking talent acquisition specialists, L&D innovators, progressive HR teams, consultancies, and breakthrough HR technology providers, these awards honour those setting new standards for performance, inclusion, and innovation.

More than recognition, this is your opportunity to position yourself at the forefront of the profession – to be acknowledged among the profession’s first wave of trailblazers defining the future of HR.

Submit an entry or nominate a worthy colleague or organisation by Friday, 3 April 2026.

The program will culminate in a black-tie gala awards ceremony on Friday, 26 June 2026, at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. Click here to buy tickets.

Speaking about the event, HR Leader managing editor Jerome Doraisamy said: “It is our great pleasure and privilege to host this inaugural awards night for Australia’s human resources cohort.

“The HR function is, both proactively and reactively, evolving in conjunction with a rapidly shifting marketplace. In the face of this, innovation from professionals and teams is more than a competitive advantage; it’s a necessity.

“Nights like this are an excellent opportunity to celebrate the many, extraordinary achievements of HR, and to recognise professional peers in a relaxed, celebratory environment.

“On behalf of HR Leader and our principal partner, DLPA, we can’t wait to see you at the awards.”

Judged by a panel of innovators, organisation executives, entrepreneurs, and academics, the awards will provide peer-reviewed national recognition of your capabilities in developing and implementing innovative HR solutions, showcasing a passion for driving the workplace environment forward, and building your reputation for excellence.

How to enter the awards

Before submitting your entry, decide which individual and/or team categories you, or your organisation, are eligible for. Then, register your account through our secure awards platform. Next, fill in the details of your submission/s. Review the judging methodology here.

Finally, when you’re happy with your submission, press save and lodge it.

Finalists will be announced on Thursday, 7 May 2026, so keep an eye out for that!

All submissions undergo a thorough audit process, checking demographic and other information against category eligibility criteria based on the information provided in the submission.

Submissions deemed eligible against the criteria will be reviewed and assessed by a panel of Momentum Media events and editorial team members and executives – alongside stakeholders where required – to determine the finalists for each category. The number of finalists varies for each award category.

The judging criteria for the award categories are quantitative and qualitative, and they acknowledge growth, organisational development, diversity, leadership, innovation, organisational excellence, and contribution to Australia’s human resources sector.

Winners will be revealed at the black-tie gala ceremony on Friday, 26 June 2026, at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. Click here to book your tickets and don’t miss out!

Submit your entry or nominate a worthy colleague or organisation by Friday, 3 April. To see the full list of individual and group categories, click here.

For tips on how to write a strong submission, click here.

Click here to find out how to submit your entry.

For more information about the awards ceremony, click here.