Nominations for the 2025 Australian Disability Service Awards (ADSA), which shine a national spotlight on the individuals, organisations and initiatives making a profound difference across the disability service sector, will close on Friday.
Now in its fifth year, the Awards return bigger and better than ever with 13 dynamic categories that reflect the evolving needs and brilliance of the sector, from outstanding support coordination to visionary leadership and life-changing assistive technology.
“These awards are about celebrating the people who put their heart and soul into helping others live their best lives,” said Mark Woodland, Co-Founder and CEO of Kismet.
“While much of the public conversation around disability services focuses on what’s broken, we want to celebrate what’s working, highlighting the programs and people who are redefining what excellence looks like in our sector.”
Award categories for 2025 include:
- Allied Health Excellence in Practice – recognising collaborative, outcome-driven allied health organisations
- Best Employment Pathway Program – celebrating programs that support meaningful, award-wage employment
- Best Inclusive Workplace – for organisations championing disability inclusion across their workforce
- Best Program for Young Voices & Futures – recognising inclusive programs for children and young people under 25
- Best Sector Impact – spotlighting individuals driving bold, lasting change across the disability ecosystem
- Excellence in Place-Based Impact for Regional & Remote Communities – honouring services delivering real results in remote Australia
- Most Effective Community Inclusion Program – celebrating programs that break down barriers to participation
- Most Impactful Assistive Technology Solution – for innovative tech with life-changing potential
- Most Innovative Home & Living Solutions – recognising providers who promote independence and offer a true sense of home
- Most Visionary Leader (CEO/Director) – honouring transformational leaders shaping the future of disability services
- Outstanding Support Coordination Provider – recognising providers who champion participant choice and capacity-building
- Person-Led Practice in Action Support Worker – celebrating frontline workers empowering participants every day
- Rising Changemaker – New Business Innovation – for emerging businesses disrupting traditional service delivery with bold ideas
Don Elgin, Head of Events at One Community and former Paralympian, said, “We’ve seen incredible resilience and creativity in this space. These awards are about lifting those stories up, connecting the sector, and reminding every nominee that their work matters.”
Nominations are open to individuals and organisations across Australia that provide services or support to people with disability, including private, public, not-for-profit, and sole trader entities. Submissions must meet specific eligibility criteria and demonstrate how their work
delivers real, measurable outcomes for participants.
“This is our sector’s night of nights,” added Don. “Whether you’re a support worker, innovator, program designer, or changemaker, or you just know someone doing amazing work, we want to hear your story. Nominate now.”
Hosted by One Community, part of the Kismet Healthcare ecosystem, the Awards will culminate in a black-tie gala on Thursday 13 November at the Pullman Albert Park in Melbourne.
