The Premier’s Awards encourages nominations of projects or initiatives that have had positive impacts on sectors of the community which may be experiencing disadvantage for example, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people living with a disability, LGBTIQ+ communities and people with low socioeconomic status.
Award categories and judging criteria
In 2025, there are 8 award categories – 2 individual categories and 6 team categories that recognise exceptional leaders in the sector.
Nominations can only be entered into one category. Please refer to the category descriptions when submitting your nomination.
Assessors of nominations may at their discretion transfer nominations between categories. Nominees will be informed if their nomination is transferred to another category.
Individual Awards
Judging Criteria
Each team nomination will be assessed based on the following criteria. Please refer to Eligibility and Assessment for more information.
Outstanding delivery and innovation
- Initiative shown by the team in identifying and executing improvements to systems or service provision to the people of NSW
- Evidence of innovation in responding to a problem, opportunity, or policy, or in project delivery
- Commitment to public sector values, leadership, collaboration, excellent customer focus and stakeholder engagement
- Perseverance and dedication throughout the project to ensure success
- Whether the project was completed on time and within budget
Benefits and results
- How the work improved systems, services or outcomes for the people of NSW
- How the project or initiative contributed to targets/goals. Nominations should provide evidence of tangible results, showing benchmarks and improvements in percentages and numbers
Above and beyond
- Whether the team went above and beyond their normal duties
- How the work succeeded compared with past initiatives
- Whether the project or initiative is transferable or scalable, i.e. if it can be adapted for other organisations or projects.