This award recognises and honours an outstanding woman who exemplifies leadership and inspires others through her significant career achievements and exceptional impact. Nominees should demonstrate excellence in their respective fields, such as business, government, non-profit, academia, or other sectors.   Career Achievements (30%) • Significant accomplishments in her field, including awards, recognition, innovative projects, or research. • Demonstrated expertise and sustained excellence in her area of work.   Leadership and Impact (50%) • Proven ability to inspire, influence, and lead at a high level. • Evidence of driving strategic initiatives, making impactful decisions, and leading teams or projects with measurable positive outcomes for their organisation or community. • Leadership positions: CEO, Chair, Director, VP, Partner (for medium/large organisations with 20+ employees) or founder/co-founder of successful enterprises with AUD 5+ million annual revenue. Community and Industry Contribution (20%) • Contributions beyond her immediate professional role, such as mentoring, advocacy, or promoting diversity and inclusion in her field. • Engagement with the broader community or industry to create positive, lasting change.

This award celebrates alumni who have demonstrated significant accomplishments in a business environment within their industry sector. The nominee’s achievements may reflect an outstanding career or a single transformative accomplishment, with outcomes that advanced their organisation’s performance and enhanced its internal culture.   Business Excellence (50%) • Evidence of exceptional achievements that have significantly advanced the performance of their organisation. • Examples include: - Pioneering innovative products, services, or processes. - Expanding into new markets with a measurable financial impact (e.g., over AUD 5 million in revenue or AUD 500,000 in profit). - Delivering transformative projects or securing a competitive advantage in the industry.   Leadership and Culture Development (25%) • Proven ability to lead and inspire teams effectively, driving major project successes or transformative business outcomes. • Specific initiatives that have significantly enhanced the internal company culture, such as: - Fostering inclusivity and diversity. - Promoting employee engagement, professional growth, or well-being. - Introducing innovative workplace policies, like flexible work arrangements.   Commitment to Business Social Responsibility (25%) • Demonstrated contributions to social, environmental, or community goals through ethical and sustainable business practices. • Initiatives that align business success with societal values, such as: - Sustainability programs reducing environmental impact. - Community engagement efforts or partnerships with social causes. - Ethical decision-making that promotes long-term societal benefits.

This award recognises alumni who have demonstrated excellence in the Arts and Creative sectors and whose efforts promote the understanding and value of artistic and creative endeavours. It celebrates creativity, innovation, and impact in various fields, including art and design, architecture, fashion, literature, music, performing arts, advertising, publishing, and creative media.   Significance of Achievements (60%) • Evidence of notable achievements associated with the nominee’s artworks or projects. • Examples include awards, honours, or recognitions conferred by respected organisations or peers in their field. • Proven influence and recognition within their artistic or creative sector, including breakthrough projects or innovations. • Demonstrated ability to set trends or standards in their respective field.   Community and Cultural Impact (30%) • Assessment of how the nominee’s works have contributed to cultural exchange, particularly between Australia and China. • Demonstrated efforts in fostering mutual understanding, diversity, and appreciation of different cultural perspectives. • Examples of projects or initiatives that have enriched the cultural landscape, including outreach, education, or community engagement efforts.

This award honours alumni who have made exceptional contributions to their communities, demonstrating leadership, compassion, and a commitment to social betterment. It recognises individuals whose dedication to service has inspired change and improved the lives of others.   Impact of Service (50%) • Evaluate the tangible outcomes of the nominee’s community service initiatives. • Consider the scope, scale, and measurable impact of their efforts, including: - The number of individuals or communities benefited. - Long-term changes or improvements resulting from specific projects or programs led by the nominee. - Highlight examples of transformative initiatives that address critical community needs.   Leadership and Innovation in Service (30%) • Assess the nominee’s ability to lead and innovate within their community service endeavours. • Examples include: - Inspiring and mobilising others to take action. - Developing creative and effective solutions to community challenges. - Sustained leadership in driving impactful initiatives over time.   Commitment to Social Betterment (20%) • Determine the nominee’s dedication to addressing significant social issues through continuous involvement. • Consider their role in building or supporting community networks and fostering collaborations. • Evidence of long-term volunteerism or advocacy for underrepresented or marginalised groups.

This award celebrates education-focused enterprises that have significantly advanced international education in Australia and China. It recognises their impactful efforts in enhancing teaching quality, fostering alumni engagement, improving student wellbeing, increasing international recognition of educational institutions, promoting educational collaboration, and encouraging cross-cultural understanding between the two nations. ​ Enterprise Success and Scale (30%) • Provide a comprehensive overview of the enterprise, including: - Core focus and contributions to international education. - Operational presence in Australia and China, including staff size and offices. - Annual turnover and social influence. - Evidence of the enterprise’s sustainability and leadership in the sector. Contribution to International Education (50%) • Highlight the enterprise’s direct contributions to advancing international education, such as: - Enhancing teaching quality or educational practices in institutions across Australia and China. - Initiatives that promote alumni engagement and long-term connections between graduates and institutions. - Programs that improve student wellbeing, such as mental health support, accommodation services, or career development initiatives. - Efforts to increase international recognition of educational institutions in both countries. - Facilitating educational collaborations and exchanges to benefit students, educators, and communities.   Philanthropic and Social Impact (20%) • Detail the enterprise’s broader contributions to international education, including: - Establishing or supporting scholarships or financial aid programs for students. - Community engagement activities or partnerships benefiting students and educators. - Funding or advocacy for educational research and innovation. - Initiatives that enhance cross-cultural understanding and create lasting social impact.

This award celebrates alumni-led businesses or initiatives that have achieved exceptional success, innovation, and impact within the Australia-China context. It honours enterprises that exemplify outstanding growth, sustainability, and a commitment to fostering positive relations and societal contributions between Australia and China.   Enterprise Scope and Success (60%) • The enterprise must: • Have an annual revenue of AUD 20 million or more. • Maintain a significant presence in Australia and/or China, including offices, workforce, or operational activities. • Be recognised as a top 3 organisation within its industry sector in Australia and/or China. • Demonstrate sustained growth, innovative practices, and leadership within its industry, contributing to its exceptional reputation and market position.   Impact on Australia-China Relations (20%) • Evidence of the enterprise’s contribution to fostering strong Australia-China relations through its core business activities, including: - Bilateral partnerships, joint ventures, or collaborative initiatives that strengthen economic or cultural ties. - Programs or activities that promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the two nations. - Tangible outcomes that reflect the enterprise’s role in bridging the two countries.   Philanthropic and Social Responsibility Initiatives (20%) • Highlight the enterprise’s contributions to enhancing social wellbeing and coherence in the Australia-China context, such as: - Charitable projects or community engagement activities. - Educational programs or scholarships promoting cross-cultural understanding. - Sustainability initiatives or contributions to solving global challenges shared by both nations. - Cultural exchange initiatives that enrich bilateral appreciation and collaboration.

This award recognises alumni who have significantly contributed to advancing research and innovation, resulting in transformative social, economic, or business impacts. It honours achievements in academia, corporate environments, or technological settings and highlights excellence in discovery, application, and innovation.   Achievements in Research and Innovation (40%) • Evidence of groundbreaking contributions through specific research or innovative projects. • Examples include: discoveries leading to new knowledge or understanding; development of innovative solutions, products, or methodologies; patents, publications, or other recognised outputs. • Evaluates the scope, originality, and direct impact of the nominee's achievements on their field or discipline. Practical Applications and Outcomes (30%) • Assesses the translation of research or innovation into practical applications. • Examples include: commercialisation of research or innovations; adoption of research outcomes in industry practices, policy frameworks, or educational curricula; creation of tools, processes, or technologies benefiting businesses or communities. • Highlights tangible outcomes and real-world relevance of the nominee's work.   Impact on Communities and Global Relevance (20%) • Evaluates how the nominee’s achievements have improved lives in Australia, China, and globally. • Examples include: social, economic, or environmental benefits; influence on public policy, industry standards, or societal quality of life; contributions to solving critical global challenges, such as climate change or public health issues. • Recognises the broader implications of their research or innovation in addressing complex challenges. Leadership and Collaboration in Research (10%) • Demonstrates the nominee’s ability to lead or inspire others in research and innovation. • Examples include: mentoring junior researchers or fostering interdisciplinary collaboration; initiating or managing large-scale research projects; building partnerships between academia, industry, or government entities. • Assesses the nominee’s role in advancing the research ecosystem through leadership and cooperation.

The Study Queensland Award is proudly supported by Study Queensland, Trade and Investment Queensland. Study Queensland is a Queensland Government agency dedicated to promoting Queensland as a leading destination for study and a preferred partner in education, training, research, and innovation. • This award recognises the outstanding achievements of Queensland alumni. It celebrates excellence across all areas of work, life, and community service, and aims to honour alumni who have demonstrated distinction in their careers and/or philanthropic efforts, supported the strengthening of Australia-China relations, and have the potential to inspire and make an impact.

This prestigious Award celebrates all-round distinction in work, life and community service and aims to recognise an alumna/alumnus who has demonstrated excellence in her/his professional career and/or through charitable activities. ​ All nominees for this Award will have established themselves as leaders in their chosen fields and will also have made significant contributions to strengthening the relationship between Australia and China.

The ACAA Member's Choice Award is a special recognition bestowed upon a graduate who has been selected by their peers for their exceptional contributions and impact within the alumni community. This award celebrates the individual who has consistently gone above and beyond to support and uplift fellow alumni, embodying the spirit of camaraderie and collaboration. The recipient of this award is someone who has inspired others through their actions, leadership, and dedication to fostering strong connections within the Australia-China alumni network.   Note: Not open for nominations. Members of the ACAA will vote for this award category.

This Award celebrates students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment across various aspects of their academic and social life. Eligibility to apply: must be of Chinese nationality or a Chinese Australian who currently studies at a university in Australia.   Note: The winner of this category will be determined by the results of the public vote at the finalist stage. Community Contribution and Leadership (40%) • Evaluate the student’s active participation in and contribution to community and campus activities. This includes leading initiatives, organising events, or significantly contributing to clubs, societies, or community projects. • Evidence of positive impact on their peers and the broader community, demonstrating leadership qualities and the ability to motivate others. Social Integration and Work Experience (30%) • Assess how well the student has integrated into the community, including participation in local events or activities that bridge cultural gaps between international and local students. • Consider any work or internship experiences that have contributed to their practical knowledge and skills. Preference should be given to students who have effectively balanced work commitments with their studies, demonstrating real-world application of their academic learning. ​​ Academic Achievement (30%) • Review the student’s academic records to ensure they have maintained satisfactory grades throughout their course of study, with no failed subjects. • Highlight any academic honours, awards, or recognitions that attest to their dedication and academic capabilities.