Here's why the Australian HR Awards deserves a spot in your schedule
The Australian HR Awards returns on 4 September at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, and if you work in HR, this is one evening you won't want to miss.
Presented by HRD, the programme has cemented its reputation as the premier independent celebration of HR excellence in Australia. Here are ten reasons to secure your seat.
1. Witness Australia's best HR talent recognised
The awards honour the nation's most outstanding HR professionals, teams, and employers, recognising excellence in performance, innovation, and leadership.
2. A proper black-tie gala dinner
This isn't a casual cocktail function, but a genuine night out for the profession. The evening runs from 7:00pm to 12:00am, featuring networking drinks, a full awards ceremony, a three-course meal, and dancing.
3. See the Excellence Awardees celebrated
This year's shortlist spans some of Australia's most recognised organisations, including Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, Deloitte Australia, KPMG Australia, Coles, TAFE NSW, Allianz Australia, NBN Co and many more, alongside rising stars and HR leaders from across the country.
4. Network with Australia's HR community
The awards night brings together HR leaders, practitioners and decision-makers in a single room.
5. Benchmark against the best
Previous honourees include Australia Post, Westpac Banking Group, TAFE NSW, Aurecon and John Holland. Seeing the calibre of recognised work offers a valuable lens for assessing your own organisation's people strategy.
6. Celebrate your team
Attending as a group is an opportunity to acknowledge your people's contributions and strengthen team culture outside the office, particularly meaningful for those shortlisted as Excellence Awardees.
7. Be part of what defines the profession
The Australian HR Awards is a moment for the profession to take stock of where it's been and where it's heading. Being in that room puts you at the centre of that conversation.
8. Dave Hughes as MC
Listed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top 50 living Australian and New Zealand entertainment icons, comedian Dave Hughes will host the evening to guarantee an entertaining and memorable night.
9. World-class featured entertainment
Vocalist and performer Teegan Bishop rounds out the night's entertainment. Her career has taken her to iconic stages across Los Angeles, Dubai, New York's Lincoln Centre, Hong Kong and beyond, with credits including Hong Kong Disneyland and Celebrity Cruises.
10. An iconic Sydney venue
The Fullerton Hotel Sydney at 1 Martin Place is one of the city's most prestigious addresses.
Secure your seats at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney on Friday, 4 September 2026, and follow the conversation at #HRAwardsAU. For more information and to register, visit hrawards.com.au.
