Human rights champions recognised for improving lives across Australia

Twenty remarkable Australians and organisations have been named finalists in the 2026 Australian Human Rights Awards for their outstanding work promoting dignity, fairness and opportunity for people across Australia. 

Selected from more than 300 nominations, this year’s finalists include people transforming healthcare, advocating for law reform, improving access to early childhood education, assisting refugees, engaging young people and working to promote First Peoples' self-determination.

Australian Human Rights Commission President, Hugh de Kretser said the finalists are all working to improve lives in their communities.

‘They come from all over Australia; the cities, the regions and its most remote corners. They have in common a commitment to the values that underpin human rights; respect, fairness, dignity, equal opportunity and freedom.

‘These finalists are helping to build a fairer and more inclusive Australia. The Awards celebrate their passion and persistence, shine a light on their contributions and inspire all of us through their stories,’ said Mr de Kretser.

The Awards’ major partner this year is SSI. ‘SSI is proud to support the Awards and the everyday heroes recognised for the incredible work they do protecting and enhancing human rights. We see it in our own work constantly: when people are treated with fairness and respect, they don't just get by, they thrive,’ CEO Violet Roumeliotis AM said.

The finalists are recognised across 5 award categories - Law, Community, Media and Creative Industries, Young People and the prestigious Australian Human Rights Medal, which has been running since the Awards began in 1987.

Award recipients will be announced at a ceremony and reception in Sydney on Thursday 10 December, coinciding with Human Rights Day and the Commission's 40th anniversary.

2026 Australian Human Rights Awards Finalists

Human Rights Medal finalists

The Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (WA)

Recognised for providing frontline assistance to refugees and people seeking asylum, while advocating for fairer policies through engagement with parliament and the UN.

Dr Jane Tiller (Vic)

Recognised for leading efforts to end genetic discrimination and improve access to healthcare, particularly for First Peoples, people with disability and those living rural and remote.

Aunty Glendra Stubbs (NSW)

Recognised for almost 50 years of advocacy and direct support for Stolen Generations survivors, First Peoples children and survivors of institutional abuse, and for her cultural leadership.

Moriarty Foundation, Indi Kindi (NT)

Recognised for delivering Aboriginal community-led early childhood education that integrates culture, health and wellbeing, while creating local Aboriginal employment and improving outcomes for children and families.

Law Award finalists

Towards Truth (NSW)

Recognised for a world-first project mapping laws and policies affecting First Peoples since 1788, making a significant contribution to truth-telling and public understanding of Australia’s history. Towards Truth is a partnership between The Justice and Equity Centre and the Indigenous Law Centre.

InterAction for Health & Human Rights (NSW)

Recognised for securing landmark legal reform that strengthens the rights of people born with variations in sex characteristics and supports informed healthcare decision-making for them and their families.

Basic Rights Queensland (Qld)

Recognised for advocating on behalf of people experiencing homelessness through successful Supreme Court litigation which set a precedent for local government to exercise lawful, proportionate and humane treatment of rough sleepers.

Professor Paula Gerber (Vic)

Recognised for promoting understanding of transgender rights and inclusion through her legal scholarship, advocacy and public education, and contributing to landmark reforms addressing historical discrimination.

Media and Creative Industries Award finalists

Wild Bear Entertainment (ACT)

Recognised for the documentary series Judgement: Cases that Changed Australia produced in collaboration with the ABC, which tells the stories of ordinary citizens who helped change laws and expand rights protections.

Bus Stop Films (NSW)

Recognised for creating inclusive filmmaking opportunities that increase representation, foster creativity and create pathways to employment for people with disability.

Torres Strait Islander Media Association (TSIMA) (Qld)

Recognised for providing independent radio, TV and online news services to one of Australia’s most remote regions and empowering Torres Strait peoples to tell their own stories.

Illuminate Films (NSW)

Recognised for the documentary Yurlu|Country which follows the late Banjima Elder Maitland Parker as he fights to protect Country from the ongoing impacts of asbestos contamination left by the Wittenoom mines, the largest contaminated site in the Southern Hemisphere.

Community Award finalists

Danielle Schutte (Vic)

Recognised for pioneering innovative approaches to homelessness, including We Are Mobilise, Australia’s first tech platform which transfers donations directly to homelessness services to support people in crisis.

Carly Findlay (Vic)

Recognised for her longstanding advocacy for the rights of people with disability and for building understanding and inclusion through community engagement, storytelling and public education.

SNAICC National Voice for Our Children (Vic)

Recognised for its Believe, Inspire, Respond to Disclosures Project, which equips health care providers to respond to child abuse disclosures in ways that are trauma-informed and culturally safe.

Paul Hadfield-Jia (WA)

Recognised for his advocacy for rainbow families and his efforts to remove legal barriers for LGBTIQA+ people seeking to start or grow their families.

Young People's Award finalists

Amber Brock Fabel (SA)

Recognised for developing innovative approaches to youth participation that give young people meaningful influence over decisions that affect their lives and communities.

Asma Nayim Ullah (NSW)

Recognised for empowering Rohingya refugees through community leadership, policy advocacy and creative initiatives that support people to influence decisions about their futures.

Jess Stone (Qld)

Recognised for championing children’s voices in shaping the laws, institutions and systems designed to protect and support them, including responses to technology-facilitated abuse and online safety.

Ethan Floyd (NSW)

Recognised for his leadership and advocacy across Indigenous rights, housing, racial equity, LGBTIQA+ equality and international humanitarian law, working to build public understanding of human rights and advance social justice.

Learn more about the Awards, this year's finalists and previous recipients.

ENDS | Media contact: [email protected] or 0457 281 897