Award Categories

The following award categories seek to recognise and acknowledge health professionals working in rural and remote Western Australia:

Nominations Open: Tuesday 1 July 2025

Nominations Close: Tuesday 2 September 2025 5.00pm

2026 Categories

  • Aboriginal Health Professional of the Year
  • Allied Health Professional of the Year
  • Clinical Leader of the Year
  • Community Health Professional of the Year
  • General Practitioner (GP) of the Year
  • Health Team of the Year
  • Nurse or Midwife of the Year
  • Specialist (Non-GP) of the Year
  • Young Professional of the Year
Nominate Now!     Nomination Guide Community Health Professional of the Year Nomination Form

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR NOMINATIONS

Please review the below eligibility for all nominations, noting some categories also have their own specific eligibility.

  • At the time of nomination, all nominees must be delivering health services to rural and remote Western Australian communities, defines as MMM 2 - 7 locations.
  • Unless otherwise stated, at the time of the nomination, nominees must have delivered services in rural WA location for more than two years.
  • Nominations must be submitted by the closing date (2 September 2025) via the official online portal. 
  • Nominations can be submitted by supervisors, peers and organisations.  We do not accept self-nominations outside of the Health Team of the Year Award.
  • Community members can submit a nomination for the Community Health Professional of the Year Award
  • All nominations must be endorsed by a colleague, supervisor or professional peer of the nominee. 

ABORIGINAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

This award recognises an Aboriginal health professional who delivers culturally safe, responsive, and compassionate care in rural WA. They demonstrate a deep personal and professional commitment to Aboriginal health and actively work to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal communities.

CATEGORY SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY

  • Nominee must identify as Aboriginal

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline the nominee's career in rural health, including qualifications and service history in Aboriginal health.
  • Describe how the nominee provides person-centred care by collaborating with patients, families, communities and/or healthcare teams. 
  • Provide specific examples of their positive impact on health and wellbeing of the community.

ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

This award recognises an allied health professional who has gone above and beyond in their commitment to the health and wellbeing of rural communities. They demonstrate excellence in service delivery and active contribution to rural health.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline how the nominee has established their career in rural health. Include a summary of their career and qualifications including length of service in rural practice. 
  • Outline the exceptional qualities of the allied health professional that demonstrate they deserve consideration for this award. 
  • Provide examples of the allied health professional's contribution to the community with specific focus on the positive impact this has had on the wellbeing of the community.
Eligible Allied Health Professions: Aboriginal health worker/health practitioner, allied health assistant/therapy assistant, audiologist, chiropractor, dental hygenist and therapist, dentist, diabetes educator, dietitian, exercise physiologist, mental health professional, nutritionist, occupational therapist, optometrist, paramedic, pharmacist, physiotherapist, psychologist, podiatrist, radiographer, sonographer, speech pathologist

CLINICAL LEADER
OF THE YEAR

This award recognises a health professional whose leadership has driven improvements in patient care, access, or safety in rural WA. They inspire excellence, foster collaboration, and serve as a role model in rural healthcare.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline the nominee's career and experience in rural practice.
  • Provide examples of leadership in areas such as patient safety, satisfaction or access to care.
  • Describe how their leadership has positively influenced peers and improved community health.

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Previously - People's Choice

This award recognises a health professional who has made a meaningful difference to an individual or community through care and compassion. This award provides an opportunity for patients or support persons to share personal stories.

CATEGORY SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY

  • Can be nominated by community member or patient

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Share a story that demonstrates how the nominee provided outstanding care and made a difference in the community.

GENERAL PRACTITIONER (GP) OF THE YEAR

This award recognises a general practitioner or rural generalist who has shown exceptional commitment to rural healthcare. The nominee consistently delivers high-quality clinical care and engages deeply with their community.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Summarise the nominee's rural career and qualifications.
  • Detail how they have maintained excellence in service, including innovative service delivery models or additional clinical or procedural skills.
  • Provide community impact examples that demonstrate improved health outcomes. 

HEALTH TEAM
OF THE YEAR

Previously - Building Healthy Country Communities

This award recognises a health team or service that has delivered significant improvements to rural health outcomes through collaboration, innovation, and excellence in care.

CATEGORY SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY

  • Can be self-nominated
  • Open to teams
  • Can be metro based but must be delivering outreach services in MMM 2 - 7 locations.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Describe the team's work, it's benefits to rural community and how it was delivered.
  • Highlight coordination with other agencies or services.
  • Explain how the initiative created lasting, positive change.

NURSE OR MIDWIFE
OF THE YEAR

This award recognises a nurse or midwife who has consistently delivered high-quality care, exceeded role expectations, and contributed meaningfully to their rural community.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Summarise the nominee's rural nursing or midwifery career.
  • Provide examples of professional excellence and patient outcomes.
  • Describe the nominee's contributions to their community.

SPECIALIST (NON-GP)
OF THE YEAR

This award recognises a medical specialist who provides exceptional care and leadership in rural WA either as a resident or visiting specialist.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline the nominee's rural career and experience.
  • Describe their commitment to continuity of care and mentorship.
  • Provide examples of how they contribute to workforce development and teamwork.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL
OF THE YEAR

Previously - Rising Star

This award celebrates an emerging health professional who shows exceptional promise, leadership, and dedication to rural health.

CATEGORY SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY

  • At the time of nomination, must have been practising for no more than 5 years in a rural location.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline the nominee's early career and rural experience.
  • Provide examples of impact on health service quality or safety.
  • Show how the nominee engages in community and/or volunteer networks.