Recognise Impact: The IIA-Australia Excellence Awards 2026 Now Accepting Nominations

Celebrating excellence across the profession

The 2026 IIA-Australia Awards are now open

Nominations are now open for the 2026 IIA-Australia Excellence and Achievement Awards, recognising the individuals and teams whose leadership, innovation, service and professional impact are strengthening internal audit across Australia. From emerging practitioners to longstanding champions, these national awards celebrate achievement at every stage of the profession.

IIA-Australia awards celebration
Nominations close
2 November 2026

Midnight AEDT

8
Award categories
Individuals and teams
Recognition across the profession
All career stages
From emerging talent to lifelong service
SOPAC® 2027
Winners recognised on 16 March 2027
Award categories

Recognise the people moving the profession forward

Explore the categories below, review the eligibility requirements and nominate a deserving individual or team. Each award page includes the full criteria, prize information and nomination requirements.

Leadership, innovation and impact

Professional Excellence Awards

IIA-Australia awards celebration
Highest professional honour

The Bob McDonald Award

The highest honour conferred by IIA-Australia, recognising an individual whose sustained leadership, advocacy and professional contribution have elevated internal audit in Australia and advanced good governance for the public good.

Outstanding professional contribution
IIA-Australia awards celebration
Individual excellence

Internal Auditor of the Year Award

Recognising an individual who has made a significant contribution to their organisation’s performance through the delivery of a major strategic outcome while upholding the Global Internal Audit Standards.

Strategic impact
IIA-Australia awards celebration
Emerging leadership

Emerging Internal Audit Leader Award

Recognising superior and progressive contributions by an emerging professional who brings innovation, perspective and a strong commitment to governance, risk and assurance.

Innovation and potential
IIA-Australia awards celebration
Team excellence

Internal Audit Team of the Year Award

Recognising an internal audit function or team that excels in the provision of internal audit services, delivers meaningful organisational value and contributes to advancing the profession.

Collaboration and organisational value
Service, commitment and contribution

Service and Recognition Awards

IIA-Australia awards celebration
Volunteer contribution

Champion of the Year Award

Recognising a member whose volunteer service, time and energy have made a valuable contribution to IIA-Australia, its members and the internal audit profession.

Service to members and the Institute
IIA-Australia awards celebration
Lifetime contribution

IIA-Australia Life Member Award

Recognising a person who has made a lifelong commitment to IIA-Australia and to the professional practice of internal auditing or a relevant professional discipline.

View award and nominate
Lifelong service and leadership
Learning and academic achievement

Academic Merit Awards

No nomination is required. These awards are determined solely by academic or examination performance and are presented at SOPAC®.

IIA-Australia awards celebration
Graduate Certificate excellence

IIA-Australia Graduate Certificate in Internal Auditing Merit Award

This award recognises the student who achieved the highest performance in the Graduate Certificate in Internal Auditing during an academic year.

The merit award is judged solely on academic performance and is presented at SOPAC®.

View past recipients
Proudly sponsored by
Westpac
IIA-Australia awards celebration
CIA examination excellence

IIA-Australia CIA® Merit Award

Recognising the best overall test performance across all CIA® assessments in a calendar year, this award celebrates outstanding learning and professional achievement.

The merit award is judged solely on academic performance and is presented at SOPAC®.

View past recipients
Proudly sponsored by
BHP
Nominations are open

Help recognise excellence across internal audit

Nominate an individual or team whose leadership, service, innovation or professional contribution deserves national recognition. Nominations close at midnight AEDT on 2 November 2026.