The Volunteering Awards are an opportunity to recognise and thank Victorian volunteers for the incredible contributions they make to our state and local communities.
Showcasing excellence by individuals and organisations, the Awards are run by Volunteering Victoria with the support of the Victorian State Government.
The Awards combine the previously separate Premier’s Volunteer Champions Awards, featuring the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award for Volunteer of the Year, and the annual Volunteering Victoria State Awards. This creates a single nomination process and a more significant awards ceremony celebrating volunteers and volunteerism across the state of Victoria.
Nominations for the 2025 Awards are now CLOSED.
Thank you to all those who submitted a nomination. Stay tuned for the announcement of shortlisted finalists!
Key dates
Nominations close
Friday 4 July 2025, 4pm
Finalists announced
October 2025
Judging & Selection
July – October 2025
Awards ceremony
November 2025
Award categories
Individual Awards
Volunteer of the Year - Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award
The prestigious Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Award recognises extraordinary volunteering service, commitment and impact for people, a community, group, organisation, or cause in Victoria.
This Award is not open for nominations. The recipient of this award will be selected from outstanding candidates in the individual volunteer categories below.
Volunteer Leadership Award
Recognises people who have shown exceptional volunteer leadership and influence in support of people, a community, group, organisation, or cause in Victoria. Nominees will be inspiring people who may have built effective volunteer networks and partnerships, empowered others, or engaged and strengthened community.
This award is open to individuals of all ages, locations and work types.
Volunteer Impact Award
Celebrates people whose volunteering has made a remarkable difference for people, a community, group, organisation, or cause in Victoria. Nominees may be volunteer innovators and pioneers or dedicated hard workers whose contributions have helped to improve outcomes or supported important changes.
This award is open to individuals of all ages, locations and work types.
Volunteer Commitment Award
Pays tribute to dedicated and passionate individuals with a sustained and substantial record of commitment to people, a community, group, organisation, or cause in Victoria. Nominees may be long-serving volunteers and reliable hard workers whose significant contribution and enthusiasm for volunteering is an inspiration to others.
This award is open to individuals of all ages, locations and work types.
Young Volunteer Award
Celebrates the enthusiasm, initiative and leadership of young people in volunteering. Nominees will be inspiring young people who have made a remarkable impact and contribution through volunteering for people, a community, group, organisation, or cause in Victoria.
This award is open to individuals 25 years and under, across all locations and work types.
Organisation Awards
Organisation of the Year - Volunteering Excellence Award
The Volunteering Excellence Award recognises an exceptional volunteer-involving organisation that demonstrates overall excellence in making a significant difference for people, a community, group, or cause in Victoria.
This award is not open for nominations. The recipient of this award will be selected from outstanding candidates in the organisation categories below.
Inclusive Volunteering Award
Celebrates diversity and inclusion in volunteering programs to enhance support for people, a community, group, or cause in Victoria. Nominees will have demonstrated inclusive and accessible volunteering practices that increased volunteer diversity or improved participation for a greater range of community members.
This award is open to not-for-profit organisations of any size, across all sectors and locations.
Volunteering Partnerships Award
Pays tribute to the importance of collaboration and partnerships to achieve greater outcomes for people, a community, group, or cause in Victoria. Nominees will have made a significant difference through establishing or maintaining effective and enduring partnerships with other organisations, business, or local community.
This award is open to not-for-profit organisations of any size, across all sectors and locations.
Volunteering Innovation Award
Recognises the role of innovation and adaptation to continually improve the volunteer experience or enhance supports for people, a community, group, or cause in Victoria. Nominees may have delivered positive outcomes through a unique volunteering program, or new practices or operating models to improve the work of their organisation.
This award is open to not-for-profit organisations of any size, across all sectors and locations.
Grassroots Volunteering Award
Celebrates the commitment, impact, and importance of grassroots organisations in supporting local communities, people, groups, or causes in Victoria. Nominees will be small community-led organisations that may have provided important local services, led positive change, or supported social and community life.
This award is open to organisations that are entirely volunteer-led and operated, with a turnover of less than $50,000 a year.
