More than 42,500听Australians cast their votes alongside an听eminent judging panel to decide听this year鈥檚 six winners across the People鈥檚 Choice听and Judges鈥櫶齈ick听categories.听
These awards celebrate the best of what universities do 鈥 turning teaching, research and community service听into real-world impact that makes Australia听stronger,听healthier听and more inclusive.听
2025听Judges鈥櫶齈ick winners听
- Problem Solver Award听鈥撎齌he University of Queensland, Monash University and The University of Sydney鈥檚听听initiative is听revolutionising听melanoma screening through a globally unique research program,听setting a new global benchmark for early melanoma and patient outcomes.听
- Community Champion Award听鈥 Monash University鈥檚听听is听tackling听interpreter听shortages,听developing innovative learning听tools听and embedding inclusion into national systems.听
- Future Builder Award听鈥撎齌he University of Canberra鈥檚听听is transforming teacher education and professional learning by connecting academics, educators, pre-service teachers and students to build capacity, strengthen professional practice and improve student learning outcomes.听
2025 People鈥檚 Choice winners听
- Problem Solver Award听鈥撎齌he University of Wollongong鈥檚听T听initiative is developing听biodegradable micro-implants that deliver chemotherapy and immunotherapy directly into听tumours, targeting听treatment for pancreatic cancer听at the source听and positioning Australia as a global leader in next-generation care.听
- Community Champion Award听鈥撎鼵harles Darwin University鈥檚听听is transforming access to justice and financial inclusion across the Northern Territory by providing free, trauma-informed, independent tax services to individuals, small听businesses听and charities unable to听access听professional advice.听
- Future Builder Award听鈥 The Australian Catholic University鈥檚听听is opening pathways to higher education for students from low socio-economic, First Nations and first-in-family backgrounds, building confidence while removing traditional ATAR barriers.听
Ms听Lisa Paul AO PSM, chair of the judging panel,听praised this year鈥檚 winners for their inspiring and impactful initiatives that are helping shape Australia鈥檚 future.听
鈥淭he judging panel had the privilege of learning about the exceptional work being delivered by universities and the life-changing contributions they make every day,鈥澨齅s听Paul said.听
鈥淭his impact reaches far beyond campus gates听鈥撎齯niversities don鈥檛 just serve students and staff, they deliver for all Australians, and the nation is stronger for it.鈥听
黑料老司机 Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy congratulated the winners for their outstanding contributions.听
鈥淭hese projects are transforming lives, and these听awards celebrate the听people听driving change听and听making a real difference听right across Australia,鈥 Mr Sheehy said.听
鈥淲hen universities thrive, Australia benefits听through better health, stronger听communities听and greater opportunity.听These winners show exactly why universities matter to the nation.鈥听
A full description of all six winning projects is available at鈥. The 2026听Shaping Australia Awards鈥痺ill open later this year.听
