Stacey Hammer, a First Nations woman from Findon, South Australia, has shown remarkable determination in overcoming significant personal and social challenges. Through her engagement with Workskil Australia and support programs including Workforce Australia, Work Ready, Release Ready and Road to Redemption, Stacey has remained committed to rebuilding her life and creating a more stable future. Her journey reflects resilience, personal growth and a strong commitment to strengthening her wellbeing and future opportunities for herself and her children.
Perpethua Ali, a proud Warumungu/Warlpiri woman from Tennant Creek and mother of five, has shown remarkable resilience after relocating to Sydney to create better opportunities for her family while facing unemployment, housing instability and personal loss. With support from AMES Australia’s Workforce First Nations Specialist Provider, Perpethua remained committed to her studies in Indigenous Health Promotion and continued building her confidence and career pathway. Returning to Tennant Creek in 2025, she secured full-time employment as Grow Well Coordinator with Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation and is now making a powerful impact in First Nations health and community wellbeing.
Andrew Davies, from Mudgee, NSW, has achieved sustained employment through Workforce Australia Employment Services after overcoming significant personal challenges. Through re-engagement with employment services, Andrew rebuilt his confidence and secured a role with Silly Solly’s in August 2025, progressing from casual work to a permanent part-time position. Now working around 30 hours per week and taking on additional responsibilities, Andrew is highly valued for his reliability, positive attitude and remarkable personal transformation.
Woolworths Group has demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusive employment by creating tailored pathways for people facing disadvantage, including long-term unemployed jobseekers, First Nations peoples, women returning to work, young people and culturally diverse candidates. Through its partnership with SYC, Woolworths supported participants into roles at its Customer Fulfilment Centre in Keswick, combining training, workplace exposure, mentoring and personalised support. The initiative has delivered strong employment and retention outcomes, helping participants build confidence, financial independence and sustainable careers.
Woolworths Group has partnered with atWork Australia to create more inclusive recruitment pathways for people who may be overlooked by traditional hiring processes. By focusing on workplace exposure, relationship building and tailored preparation, Woolworths has helped hundreds of jobseekers, including people with disability and First Nations Australians, move into meaningful employment. Strong retention outcomes reflect Woolworths’ commitment to supporting employees beyond recruitment and helping them build confidence, independence and long-term career opportunities.
Coonamble Shire Council is creating meaningful employment opportunities in Far West Orana, supporting local people facing geographic isolation, limited industry diversity and socio-economic disadvantage. Since 2023, the Council has facilitated 37 placements through Australian Government employment services programs, including strong outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants, long-term unemployed jobseekers, young people and mature-age workers. Through flexible job design, tailored onboarding and ongoing workplace support, the Council is strengthening its workforce while building community resilience and lasting local impact.
Carly Wellington is an Employment Consultant with MatchWorks in Brisbane, driven by a passion for helping people overcome barriers and achieve meaningful employment. Drawing on her own lived experience, Carly brings deep empathy and understanding to her work with Workforce Australia participants in Rocklea. Known for her personalised approach and commitment to rebuilding confidence, Carly is creating lasting positive change for participants and her community.
Chris Matheson is an experienced employment services leader with more than 10 years in the sector, dedicated to improving opportunities for disadvantaged Australians. As SYC’s State Employment Activity Coordinator for Victoria, he supports more than 110 staff while building strong partnerships with employers, community organisations and stakeholders. Recognised as SYC’s 2025 Achiever of the Year (Victoria), Chris is highly regarded for his inclusive, relationship-driven approach and commitment to creating sustainable employment outcomes. community.
Liam Hill’s career in employment services is a powerful example of lived experience driving positive change, having once been a jobactive participant at the same Wynnum office where he now works. Now a Senior Mentor with CoAct Connect + BUSY At Work, Liam supports Workforce Australia participants to overcome barriers, build confidence and achieve sustainable employment. Since he began his initial role at CoAct Connect + BUSY At Work in 2022, he has placed 186 clients into employment and earned recognition as CoAct’s 2026 Steve Lawrence Employment Consultant of the Year.
Rebecca Nicholls has dedicated more than 25 years to advancing employment inclusion, helping grow Global Skills from a small local provider into a leading organisation delivering multiple employment services programs across New South Wales. A respected, values-driven leader, she has championed person-centred services, inclusive recruitment pathways, employer engagement models and sector advocacy that have improved opportunities for thousands of Australians facing disadvantage.
Nyssa de Waard has dedicated more than a decade to improving employment opportunities for people facing disadvantage. She has progressed from frontline Employment Consultant to Executive General Manager of Employment and Training at CoAct, where she now leads a national network supporting around 35,000 jobseekers annually. Drawing on professional expertise and lived experience, she champions inclusive, co-designed services that strengthen employer partnerships, influence sector reform and create more compassionate pathways to sustainable employment.
Matthew Cilia has spent more than 27 years advancing employment inclusion, beginning as a frontline Employment Consultant and now leading more than 500 staff as Chief Operating Officer of Sureway Employment and Training. Known for combining large-scale operational leadership with a deep participant-centred focus, he has driven service innovation, organisational growth and partnerships that help people facing complex barriers move towards meaningful, sustainable employment.
This Award recognises a Participant who has overcome extraordinary disadvantage to achieve their goal and secure a sustained employment outcome.
This Award recognises employers who demonstrate excellence in employment inclusion of disadvantaged participants, supporting in the workplace and encouraging sustainability of employment through active post placement support.
This Award recognises employment services professionals who demonstrate excellence in helping disadvantaged Australians to achieve employment inclusion.
This Award recognises individuals within the employment services sector who have made exceptional and enduring contributions to advancing employment inclusion for people experiencing hardship.