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About the VET Sector Awards

The benchmark of excellence in Australian vocational education - recognising the talent, dedication and innovation behind a future-ready nation.

Established with a vision to recognise and celebrate exceptional talent in Vocational Education and Training, the VET Sector Awards have grown into Australia’s premier recognition platform for individuals, training providers and organisations making notable contributions to vocational education.

We understand the depth and breadth of the VET sector and the pivotal role it plays in empowering individuals, strengthening industries and shaping the future of the nation. The people and institutions working tirelessly within this sector deserve the utmost recognition - they provide the foundation for world-class skills development, industry-relevant training and career pathways across a broad spectrum of disciplines.

With the Awards, we aim to shine a spotlight on those who exemplify the spirit of vocational education - those who innovate, inspire and lead, and whose contributions often go unnoticed. Each year we honour excellence across a diverse range of categories, carefully curated to ensure a broad representation of the sector’s talents at every level.

“More than an awards ceremony, the VET Sector Awards are a movement that inspires excellence and encourages continual improvement across the sector.”

The Awards culminate in an annual ceremony - a grand event that brings together industry leaders, aspiring talents, government representatives and media for an evening of celebration and recognition. They also provide a platform for networking, sharing best practice and collaborating among the industry’s best.

The judging panel

An esteemed, independent panel

Impartial · criteria-based

Every nomination is evaluated against a stringent set of criteria - excellence, contribution to the sector, innovation, impact and leadership - by a diverse panel of industry leaders and influencers.

SS

Sukh Sandhu

Compliance & quality leader

AH

Anna Haranas

VET sector specialist

MN

Michelle Newman

Education leader

RK

Raj Kiran Kaur

Industry expert

NT

Nadia Taylor

Training & assessment expert

GB

Gail Baker

Vocational education leader

SB

Sue Bidesi

Sector influencer

SN

Stuart Newman

Industry & engagement specialist

Be part of the 2027 Awards

Nominations open 1 December 2026 and close 28 February 2027, with the ceremony on 15 May 2027. Entry is free and open across Australia.

Nominate now
WHY THE VET SECTOR AWARDS

The most prestigious recognition in Australian VET

  • 48 categories across every facet of VET
  • Free to nominate, no limit on categories
  • Independent panel of 8 expert judges
Nominate now