A national black-tie gala honouring the leaders, teams, and organisations transforming the world of work. The inaugural HR Innovation Awards debut alongside the Summit on 26 June 2026.
A national celebration of the people writing HR's next chapter.
The HR Innovation Awards debut in 2026 as a national celebration of the leaders, teams, and organisations transforming the world of work.
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.
The Summit by day. The Awards by night. Two distinct experiences across two iconic Sydney venues — both on Friday 26 June 2026.
Securing one of these awards sets you apart from your peers and strengthens your position in the profession by elevating your personal brand.
Judged by a highly regarded panel, these accolades provide peer-reviewed recognition of your expertise, leadership, and commitment to driving positive workplace outcomes.
A refreshed format with meaningful opportunities to network, collaborate, and celebrate excellence across the HR community.
The inaugural program opens for applications across all categories.
Final cutoff for entries. Late submissions are not accepted.
Become a free HR Leader member to be first to hear who makes the shortlist.
Black-tie gala at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. The HR community's networking evening of the year.
For submission questions, contact Adrian Connell on 0448 021 996. The full categories list and submission methodology are available on the HR Innovation Awards site.
Not applicable to product and service providers. Tickets are non-refundable but transferable to a colleague at any time before the event.
Apply, attend, or partner with the inaugural HR Innovation Awards. Be in the room when the trailblazers are named.