Human Resources Director (HRD) Australia has named its Rising Stars 2026 honourees, recognising 35 young HR professionals who are reshaping people strategy across the country. Nominees had 10 years’ experience or less, a track record of driving progressive HR initiatives and a clear passion for where the profession is headed.
Nominations were backed by managers and championed by senior industry leaders, and the HRD Australia team reviewed every submission. The report found that 55 per cent of honourees came to HR through opportunity rather than deliberate career planning. Another 37 per cent contribute to the profession beyond their employer, through industry committees, student mentoring, practitioner forums and advising early-stage HR technology founders.
[00:00] Every industry has its future leaders hiding in plain sight. This year, we went looking for HR’s Rising Stars. HRD Australia put the call out, asking the industry to nominate the sharpest young talent reshaping human resources across the country.
[00:16] The brief was tough. 10 years experience or less, a track record of driving progressive HR initiatives, and genuine passion for where this profession is headed. The nominations poured in. Backed by managers, championed by senior industry leaders, each one made a case for why their rising star deserved recognition.
[00:34] Our team read every single submission. The achievements, the career goals, the fingerprints these professionals are already leaving on the industry. From that pool, we've narrowed it down to 35. 35 names who represent where HR in Australia is going next.
[00:48] Our report revealed that 55% of honorees said HR found them through opportunity instead of deliberate career planning, and 37% contribute to the profession beyond their employer, sitting on industry committees, mentoring students, presenting at practitioner forums, and advising early-stage HR technology founders.
[01:07] One of our winners said, "HR was usually brought in when something went wrong, but today we're being involved much earlier because leaders are actually starting to see the direct connection between people decisions and business outcomes."
[01:19] So, who made the cut? What sets them apart? And what can their early career moves teach you about building your own? Read the full Rising Stars 2026 report by going to the HRD Australia website and clicking on the Best in HR tab. It's out now.
