Since their inception in 2004, the NESA Awards for Excellence have celebrated the dedication, innovation, and professionalism of the employment services sector in driving economic and social well-being for individuals, families, and communities through inclusive employment opportunities.
These Awards provide a prestigious platform to showcase outstanding service delivery and highlight the transformative impact employment services providers make every day.
THE NESA AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
IN ADDITION, WINNERS OF EACH AWARD CATEGORY RECEIVE:
Finalists receive an exclusive invitation to attend the Gala Awards for Excellence Dinner and VIP-only Champion’s Reception held immediately prior to the Gala Awards for Excellence Dinner.
Employment Consultant and Achiever of the Year finalists are provided with travel and one night’s accommodation to attend the NESA Awards for Excellence Ceremony.
The Employment Consultant who nominated the Achiever of the Year is also provided travel and one night’s accommodation to the NESA Awards for Excellence in order to accompany and support their Finalist in the lead up to and on the night of the Awards.
All required airfares are return economy from the finalist’s closest major, regional or metropolitan airport and in accordance with NESA‘s Travel policy. Transport to and from the airport and event venue are at the Finalist and provider‘s expense.
The Awards for Excellence are open to both selfnominations and thirdparty nominations. All nominations are assessed equally and fairly, regardless of who submits them. What matters is the substance of the nominee’s contribution, not the source of the nomination.
Judging focuses on:
Writing style, narrative ability, or access to professional support will not influence assessment. The strength of the nomination is based solely on the realworld outcomes achieved, the values demonstrated, and the positive impact on job seekers/participants, communities, and the employment services sector.
NOMINATIONS MUST INCLUDE:
APPLICABLE TO ALL AWARD CATEGORIES
Judging for these Awards is built on transparency, fairness, and sector-wide trust. To uphold the integrity of the Awards, we ensure that every nomination is assessed through a robust, accountable framework.
All judges are independent and selected for their expertise, professional credibility, and commitment to equitable assessment. Judges must formally declare and manage any conflicts of interest before accessing submissions and commit to confidentiality and ethical decisionmaking. Where a conflict exists, that judge can be withdrawn from evaluating the relevant category or nominee to maintain impartiality.
To ensure consistency, fairness, and equal consideration for all entrants, judging panels apply standardised scoring rubrics aligned with the published criteria. These rubrics guide assessment across every criterion, ensuring that nominees, whether self nominated or nominated by a third party, are evaluated on the same terms and against the same expectations.
Every nomination received by the published closing time will be reviewed, read, and considered. Following this, an independently prepared shortlist will be developed to uphold impartiality and avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest. Shortlisted nominees may be contacted for a conversation about their submission, which may include clarifying information, verifying achievements, or providing additional context to support accurate assessment.
BY SUBMITTING A NOMINATION TO THE NESA AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE, YOU:
Note: NESA will contact finalists for the Achiever of the Year category or their representatives to review the nomination and agree on the information that is permitted to be shared with the media or used in NESA communications.
Exceptional Circumstances
In rare and exceptional circumstances, NESA may exercise absolute discretion to make determinations that uphold the integrity of the Awards and avoid disadvantaging entrants or causing undue harm to individuals, organisations, or the broader sector.
This may include the discretion to:
Such decisions will only be made where necessary to maintain fairness, ensure the wellbeing of those involved, and protect the spirit and reputation of the Awards. NESA will take a balanced and considerate approach in all such situations.
Award nominations are submitted online; via separate online portals for each Award Category, accessed via the APPLY NOW buttons.
Before you start the online submission process, please ensure that:
Instructions and tips for how to submit:
Please have the following information prepared, before starting your online submission.
NOTE: please be mindful of privacy considerations and ensure consent is obtained.
Upon completion of your submission, an e-mail will automatically be sent to the primary person (nominated in your submission) to confirm successful receipt of your nomination. The confirmation e-mail will include a copy of your submission, including file attachments for your own records.
If you do not receive the confirmation e-mail immediately, please check your e-mail Junk folder or SPAM filtering systems prior to contacting NESA on 03 9624 2300.
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.
