Innovative programs and leadership were recognised across 20 categories
Australia’s premier night for HR professionals, the Australian HR Awards 2025, brought together people leaders and HR teams from across the nation for a night of celebration and recognition.
In a ceremony at the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney’s CBD, more than 600 people gathered to celebrate the achievements of individuals and teams, with awards presented across 20 categories.
Sponsors for the evening included Deel, Referoo, Dayforce, PageUp, linkABLE and charity partner Humpty Dumpty.
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Award Winners
Building and infrastructure company John Holland took out the first award of the evening, Best Workplace Flexibility Program, for its Late Start program, which created a second rostered start time of 8:45am instead of the standard 6:45am start.
The new shift time was designed to help diversify the construction industry’s workforce by allowing parents and caregivers, whose commitments didn’t allow for the earlier start time, to work in construction.
Accepting the award, senior project manager Brandon Perrin said there had been “fantastic uptake and interest in the program”.
Australia Post took out the award for Best Workplace, Equity and Inclusion program.
Accepting the award, Leia Trinh, Head of Planning Enablement and PMO at Australia Post, said the team was “beyond happy” at the recognition.
“We're I think one of the first Australian organisations to actively focus on refugee inclusion,” she said.
“We have a refugee employment and engagement action plan that looks to increase representation of refugees in our workforce" she said.
Pictured left to right: Award presenter Alice Klontzaris, with Eddie Trejo, Leia Trimh and Faiza Shakori from Australia Post.
Celebrating their award success on LinkedIn, Australia Post said its Refugee Employment & Engagement Action Plan had created meaningful pathways for newly settled refugees at Australia Post, including more than 64 refugees placed in permanent roles, 120 into seasonal roles and 484 colleagues proudly identifying as refugees.
Packaging and containers manufacturer Orora took out the award for Best Use of Technology, sponsored by Referoo.
Accepting the award, HR Systems and Services Manager Stefani Kurta, said the award reflected a “real collaboration between HR and IT” to reimagine HR technology and services.
“I’m so proud of everyone who contributed to the success of this three-year program; full of challenges, learnings, and shared achievements.”
Pictured left to right : Joshua Adams and Stefani Kurta from Orora with Neil Rose from award sponsor Referoo.
Neil Rose, CEO and Co-Founder, Referoo, said his business was acutely aware of how important technology was in the hiring process.
“We concentrate on looking after the end user and these guys have done an amazing job of pulling together a simply brilliant technology product and are amazing winners tonight,” he said.
Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation won the award for Best Remote Work Strategy, sponsored by Deel.
Pictured: Caroline Resende from award sponsor Deel (left) and Mariam Hares from SCHF
SCHF Chief People and Culture Officer, Mariam Hares, said: “I’m so proud of everyone at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation for being part of this amazing organisation supporting sick children … and being able to do it remotely.”
“Being able to support our employees to do their work whenever and wherever they can means that they can raise as much money as possible for sick kids.”
Riki Tanaka, from Hilton, was named HR Rising Star of the Year.
“It’s the people,” she said when asked what she enjoyed most about working in HR.
“I’ve always worked in hospitality, just meeting new people and making an impact on people’s lives from the start of recruitment to onboarding … I love that about HR.”
Ben Mansour, of Anglo American, was named HR Director of the Year.
