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The Indigenous Governance Awards were established to identify, celebrate and promote outstanding governance in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and groups across the nation and their ability to organise, govern and self-determine their communities’ futures.
The Australian Indigenous Governance Institute and Reconciliation Australia, with the support of the BHP Foundation, proudly partner to deliver the Indigenous Governance Awards. The Awards have been running biennially since 2005.
Category One
Unincorporated groups
This category includes:
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Indigenous-led organisations or groups such as associations, committees, working groups, programs, Elder councils, or other initiatives (at least 51% of the governing body must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples).
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Not directly incorporated and/or under legislation.
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Operating at a community, regional and/or national level.
Category Two
Small to medium incorporated organisations
This category includes:
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Indigenous-led organisations (at least 51% of the governing body must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples).
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Incorporated under legislation.
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Have an annual revenue of under $1 million.
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Operating at a community, regional and/or national level.
Category Three
Large incorporated organisations
This category includes:
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Indigenous-led organisations (at least 51% of the governing body must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples).
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Incorporated under legislation.
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In existence for at least 3 years (since January 2023).
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Have an annual revenue of $1 million and over.
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Operating at a community, regional or national level.
Selection Criteria
Self-determination
Self-determination means Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples having genuine decision-making power and responsibility. For example, over how resources are used, how income is generated, or who gets to lead.
Effectiveness
Effectiveness is about how well your organisation or group makes and implements decisions, solves problems, overcomes challenges, leverages relationships, and achieves positive and measurable results for your beneficiaries.
Cultural legitimacy
Being culturally legitimate means your governance arrangements reflect and strengthen the values and principles of your people. This includes how decisions are made, authority is organised and leadership is exercised.
Innovation
Innovation means finding new or creative ways to strengthen your governance, whether through fresh ideas, new approaches, or adapting existing practices. For example, to manage finances, communicate with members or community, incorporate culture, or use new forms of technology.
Sustainability
Sustainability means thinking ahead and planning for the future so that your governance stays strong over time. For example, being able to handle change, manage risk, and have effective succession planning.
Application process
- Apply or nominate: submit an application with supporting documents or nominate an organisation.
- Review and shortlist: a review committee makes a shortlist for each category.
- Judging: an independent judging panel chooses three finalists for each category.
- Site visits: the judging panel members will visit each finalist which includes photos, video and possible media coverage.
- Final selection: judging panel decides winners and highly commended recipients.
- Announcement: winners and highly commended recipients are announced at the awards event.
Prizes
Cash prize for winners of each category.
All finalists receive an awards package:
- An award to commemorate their achievement
- Travel for two members to attend the awards event
- A communications package of photos and footage from the judges’ site visit to their organisation
- Promotional coverage including on the awards website
- An opportunity to participate in a governance professional development workshop facilitated by AIGI during the week of the awards event.
- Opportunity to network with fellow finalists at an in-person meet and greet
2024 Winners and Finalists
Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2024 Indigenous Governance Awards, and a big thank you to all who applied and nominated. Winners were announced at the Indigenous Governance Awards Gala on 6 November 2024 in Meanjin.
The Awards are divided into three categories of outstanding examples of governance in Indigenous-led groups.
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- Category One Winner: Learning on Country Program
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- Category Two Winner: Melythina Tiakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation
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- Category Three Winner: Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation
Stories of Success
The Indigenous Governance Awards are also an excellent opportunity for AIGI to showcase each year’s finalists and their governance practices in our Stories of Success publications. The Stories of Success provide practical insights into what makes each finalist’s governance so exceptional.
Effective Indigenous governance successfully navigates Indigenous culture, laws, rules and forms of accountability while working within the requirements of non-Indigenous systems. Our finalists are shining examples of how two-way governance works in practice.
Applications for the 2026 Awards
Subscribe to AIGI's mailing list to get notified when applications open for 2026.
