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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.
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
Category One
Unincorporated groups
- Learning on Country Program, NT
- Loddon Mallee Aboriginal Reference Group, VIC
- Wintjiri Wiru Working Group, NT
Category Two
Small to medium incorporated organisations
- Melythina Tiakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation, TAS
- Mibbinbah Spirit Healing, QLD
- Voice of Hope Aboriginal Corporation, WA
Category Three
Large incorporated organisations
- Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation, WA
- Granites Mine Affected Area Aboriginal Corporation, NT
- Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation, WA
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.
Judging criteria
Self-determination
Self-determination means 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, project or initiative makes and actions decisions, solves problems, overcomes challenges, 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 should be organised and leadership exercised.
Innovation
Innovation means new ways of working. Groups can demonstrate innovation when they take creative or unconventional approaches to their governing arrangements. 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.
Applications for the 2026 Awards
Subscribe to AIGI's mailing list to get notified when applications open for 2026.
