Nominating is easier than you think
Find answers to common questions about the nomination process, judging, eligibility, and the gala event. For anything else, reach out to the team at awards@womenindigital.org.
Fees & Membership
What is the nomination fee? To continue growing and elevating the WID Awards, we've introduced a nomination fee of $199 per nomination. This change helps us expand the program, create more meaningful opportunities for finalists and winners, and deliver an unforgettable experience on the night.
Do WID Members get a discount? Yes! WID Members receive one free nomination as part of their membership benefits. Not yet a member? Sign up today.
Eligibility
Who can nominate? Eligibility varies per category — we recommend reviewing the criteria for the category you're interested in before applying.
Can I enter if I (or my organisation) am based outside of Australia? As a national awards program, nominees must reside in Australia to be eligible. Nominated organisations must also have Australian operations and an Australian ABN. The achievements described in your entry may have global reach, but must have been delivered in the Australian market.
Can I nominate for an individual category if I no longer work for that company? Yes, you can, as long as all other eligibility criteria for that category are also met.
Can I be nominated if I am a contractor or freelancer, not a permanent employee? Yes. You do not need to be in a permanent employed role to be eligible for the majority of the award categories. What matters is that your work and achievements are relevant to the category criteria. We encourage contractors, freelancers, and independent consultants to apply. Please review the specific eligibility criteria for the category you're interested in.
Is there an age requirement to enter? Age requirements vary by category. The Rising Star Award is open to individuals aged 25 and under. All other individual categories have no age restriction. Please review the specific eligibility criteria for the category you're interested in.
Categories & Questions
What are the award categories? You can find the full list of award categories on the WID Awards website.
What are the questions in the nomination process? Questions vary per category. We recommend clicking through to the category you're interested in, where you can view the specific questions and word counts before you begin your application.
Can I enter more than one category? Absolutely — as long as your entry is relevant to each category and meets its criteria. We strongly recommend tailoring your answers to the specific questions in each category, as judges vary across categories.
Submitting a Nomination
How do I enter? You're in the right place — the WID Awards Portal! Select a category and follow the prompts to complete your application. You can complete a nomination yourself, nominate someone else and invite them to complete the application, or submit a full application on behalf of someone else.
Can I self-nominate? Yes, please do! Over 50% of our nominations are self-nominations. Back yourself, share your achievements, and be a role model for the next generation.
Can I nominate on behalf of someone? Yes. Once you've selected a category, choose 'Nominate someone' and then 'Complete nomination process for someone else' to submit a full application on behalf of another person.
I want to apply for an organisation award — what option do I select? If you are completing an application on behalf of your organisation, we recommend creating a company account on the portal and self-nominating. You can either register for an account, or select the category you want to apply for and you'll be prompted to create one if an account isn't detected.
Can I share a video with my submission? Yes. If you have video content you'd like to include to support your entry, paste a shareable URL link within your submission. Please note that all application questions must still be answered in full — the video serves as a supporting document only.
Can I edit my submission? Yes. You can access your nomination and make changes at any time until you complete the nomiation process. You can also use draft mode to save your progress and return at your own convenience before hitting 'Complete Nomination'.
Is there a word limit on nomination responses? Yes — each question has its own word count, which you can view when browsing the category before you begin. We recommend reviewing these before drafting your responses so you can plan your answers accordingly.
What file types or supporting documents can I attach? In addition to written responses, you can include a shareable video URL as supporting material. If you have questions about attaching specific documents to your submission, please contact us at awards@womenindigital.org.
Judging & Results
Who will see my submission? Submissions are only viewed by the internal WID team and category judges to maintain confidentiality. Information provided in your entry will not be shared externally unless you have given explicit approval.
Will I receive feedback? Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to guarantee feedback on nominations.
When will finalists and winners be announced? Finalists will be announced ahead of the gala event, and winners will be announced on the night. Specific dates will be published on the WID Awards website and shared via our social channels — follow along so you don't miss out.
How are finalists notified? Finalists are notified directly via email. Please ensure the contact details in your nomination are correct and keep an eye on your inbox — including your junk folder — around the announcement period.
The Gala Event
Where and when is the gala held? The 2026 WID Awards Gala will be held in Brisbane. Full event details including the venue, date, and ticket information will be announced on the WID website and shared across our social channels.
How do I purchase tickets to the gala? Ticket information will be available on the WID website closer to the event. Sign up to the WID mailing list or follow us on social media to be notified when tickets go on sale.
Can men attend the event? Absolutely! We love having male champions attend our events. We encourage our manbassadors to nominate as many women as possible — and to consider applying for the Allyship in Action Award themselves.
Will the gala be livestreamed? The gala will not be livestreamed. You can follow along through regular updates on our social media channels — or better yet, join us in Brisbane on the night!
Do I have to be at the gala to win? While we encourage all finalists to attend, your presence is not mandatory. Winners will be notified via email after the event.
Technical Support & Contact
Where can I review my submission after I've lodged it? Once you're logged in to the portal, click your name in the top corner and select 'Submissions' to view your submissions.
When do nominations close? Nomination closing dates will be published on the WID Awards website. We recommend not leaving your submission to the last minute — draft mode is available so you can save your progress and return to complete it before the deadline.
Can I withdraw or delete my nomination after submitting? If you need to withdraw a nomination, please contact us at awards@womenindigital.org as soon as possible with your details and the category you've applied for, and the team will assist you.
I need technical support with my entry — how can I get assistance? If you're experiencing technical issues with the Awards Portal, please email us at awards@womenindigital.org. Include as much detail as possible and attach screenshots where applicable so we can resolve your issue quickly.
I still have questions — how do I get in touch? Email us at awards@womenindigital.org and a member of the team will get back to you.
Key Dates
All Categories
- AI Leader of the Year
- Allyship in Action (Manbassador)
- Business Support Excellence
- Cloud & Infrastructure Excellence
- Cybersecurity Leader of the Year
- Champion of Change
- Data Leader of the Year
- Digital Experience Excellence
- Digital Transformation Leader of the Year
- Employer of the Year
- Executive Leader of the Year
- Founder of the Year
- Growth Leader of the Year
- Indigenous Leader of the Year
- Innovator of the Year
- IT Excellence
- Product Excellence
- Public Sector Excellence
- Rising Star of the Year
- Software Engineering Excellence
- Technical Leader of the Year
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Can't find the right category for you?
Send us a suggestion! We're always looking at new categories to champion more people and organisations in our community. Put your suggestion here and we may just include it in next year’s awards program!

