2026 ARPA Awards

ARPA AWARD NOMINATIONS

Nominations for the 2026 ARPA member awards program and Length of Service recognition will open on 12 January 2026 and will close for all jurisdictions on Friday 27 February 2026 at 5.00pm AEDT. All nominations must be entered via the online nomination and judging portal arpa.awardsplatform.com (2025 logins are still valid, or set a new password). The portal allows you to save nominations in draft form before submitting and also edit your entry after submitting, up until the entry deadline.

Click here to view nomination rules

IMPORTANT DATES
Nominations Open - 12 January 2026
Nominations Closed - 27 February 2026
Judging Opens - 3 March 2026
Judging Closes - 31 March 2026
Finalists Announced - Starting 3rd April in order of award ceremonies.

Award nomination

2026 AWARD CATEGORIES
The 2026 award categories for ARPA members are:
  • Exceptional Leadership (nomination period is from 1 January 2025)
  • Outstanding Consultant - Same Employer (nominee must have commenced in workplace rehabilitation prior to 1 February 2025)
  • Outstanding Consultant - New Employer (nominee must have commenced in workplace rehabilitation prior to 1 February 2025)
  • Outstanding Achievement in RTW - Physical claim (nominee must have worked on the case since 1 Jan 2025

  • Outstanding Achievement in RTW - Psychological claim (nominee must have worked on the case since 1 Jan 2025)

  • Outstanding Student ((students who have completed practical placements from Jan 2025 - Mar 2026 are eligible to be nominated)
  • Innovation in RTW (nomination period is from 1 January 2025)
  • Best New Starter* (nominees must have commenced in the WR industry between 1 Feb 2025 and 31 Jan 2026).
    *Original and New Employer Services categories available for Victorian entries
  • Exceptional Case Management Professional (WA, TAS and ACT) (Nominees must be working as a Case Manager with an insurer or self insurer in Western Australia, Tasmania or the ACT.)
  • Exceptional Injury Management Professional (WA Only) (Nominees must be working as an Injury Management Professional with an employer, insurer, self insurer or broker in Western Australia.)

^The Award categories for outstanding achievements by ARPA Associate Members & Industry Stakeholders are judged as part of the National Awards program only. 


    LENGTH OF SERVICE RECOGNITION

    This successful initiative is available nationally for those individuals who have been working in the Australian workplace rehabilitation industry for over 10 years. 

    To be eligible, individuals must have met the following criteria:

    • currently work for an ARPA member organisation; and
    • have worked at an accredited workplace rehabilitation provider for at least 10 years (aggregate); and
    • be nominated by their employer.

    NOTE 1: Any period working for a government regulator / insurer in workplace rehabilitation cannot be included in the aggregate.

    NOTE 2: Recognitions will be presented in 2026 to eligible members recognising their current total (aggregate) years (10, 15, 20, 25+) and members can nominate at subsequent milestone intervals in the years following.

    SAVE THE DATE

    The ARPA Excellence in Workplace Rehabilitation Awards celebrates and showcases the Australian workplace health, return to work and rehabilitation industry’s many outstanding achievements and acknowledges the industry's importance in the broader community.

    Every second year, all Australian jurisdictions participate in the ARPA National Awards program, which culminates in a National Awards presentation event.

    The 2026 Awards will be national program, with award events held around the country from May 2026, culminating in the National Awards which are being held in conjunction with the ARPA National Conference, 31 Aug - 2 September, Perth. 

    Save the dates below.

    Tasmania Friday 1 May

    Aura Room, Hobart

    South Australia Friday 15 May

    Rydges South Park Adelaide

    New South Wales Friday 29 May

    Doltone House Sydney

    Northern Territory Friday 12 June

    Adina Vibe Hotel Darwin

    Queensland Friday 26 June

    Blackbird Brisbane

    Australian Capital Territory Friday 24 July

    Hyatt Canberra

    Victoria Friday 7 August

    Plaza Ballroom Melbourne

    WA State & National Awards Tuesday 1 September

    The Crown Perth