Deadline: 14-Aug-2026
The WA Seniors Awards 2026 recognise individuals, businesses, organisations, local governments, and advocates who have made exceptional contributions to improving the lives of older people across Western Australia. The awards celebrate leadership, innovation, compassion, and age-friendly initiatives that promote inclusion, wellbeing, and active ageing.
WA Seniors Awards 2026 Overview
The WA Seniors Awards are a prestigious recognition program that honours individuals and organisations making a meaningful difference in the lives of older Western Australians. Coordinated by Advocare, the Seniors Peak Body of Western Australia, and funded by the Department of Communities Western Australia, the awards celebrate leadership, compassion, community service, and innovative approaches that create age-friendly communities.
The awards highlight the valuable contributions of older adults while recognising businesses, local governments, community organisations, and advocates that actively support healthy, inclusive, and connected ageing. By showcasing inspiring achievements, the program encourages greater community awareness of the important role seniors play in society and promotes initiatives that improve quality of life for older people throughout Western Australia.
The awards also encourage nominations from diverse communities, including First Nations Australians, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, and LGBTQI communities, ensuring broad representation and recognition of contributions across the state.
Award Categories
The WA Seniors Awards include the following categories:
- WA Senior of the Year – Metropolitan
- WA Senior of the Year – Regional
- WA Age Friendly Business or Organisation of the Year
- WA Age Friendly Local Government of the Year
- WA Seniors Advocate of the Year
Each category recognises outstanding achievements in supporting older people, promoting age-friendly practices, and strengthening communities across Western Australia.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility depends on the award category.
WA Senior of the Year – Metropolitan and Regional
Applicants or nominees must:
- Be residents of Western Australia.
- Be aged 65 years or older, or 55 years or older for Aboriginal people.
- Demonstrate significant contributions to their community or the wellbeing of older people.
WA Age Friendly Business or Organisation of the Year
Eligible applicants include:
- Registered businesses operating in Western Australia.
- Community organisations providing services or programs benefiting older people.
- Organisations demonstrating age-friendly policies, services, or initiatives.
WA Age Friendly Local Government of the Year
Eligible applicants include:
- Local government authorities in Western Australia that have implemented initiatives supporting older residents and creating age-friendly communities.
WA Seniors Advocate of the Year
This category is open to:
- Individuals of any age who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy, leadership, or support for older Western Australians.
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants and nominees should also meet the following requirements:
- Previous winners from the past three years are not eligible for nomination in the same category.
- Previous unsuccessful nominees may be nominated again.
- Nominees must consent to media interviews, publicity activities, and the use of photographs and nomination information for promotional purposes.
- Participation in promotional activities must be provided without charging a fee.
Why These Awards Matter
Older Australians make invaluable contributions through volunteering, mentoring, leadership, community service, and lifelong participation in society. The WA Seniors Awards recognise these achievements while encouraging communities, businesses, and governments to create environments where older people can thrive.
The awards also promote:
- Active ageing
- Community inclusion
- Age-friendly services
- Social participation
- Respect for older people
- Leadership and volunteerism
- Innovation in senior services
- Intergenerational collaboration
Benefits of Being Recognised
Recognition through the WA Seniors Awards can help:
- Celebrate outstanding community contributions.
- Increase public awareness of successful age-friendly initiatives.
- Inspire others to support older people.
- Highlight innovative programs and services.
- Strengthen community partnerships.
- Encourage inclusive and accessible practices across Western Australia.
How to Submit a Nomination
Step 1. Select the most appropriate award category for the nominee.
Step 2. Confirm that the nominee meets all eligibility requirements.
Step 3. Gather evidence demonstrating the nominee’s achievements, leadership, or community impact.
Step 4. Prepare a strong nomination explaining how the nominee has improved the lives of older Western Australians.
Step 5. Include supporting examples, testimonials, or documentation where applicable.
Step 6. Obtain the nominee’s consent for media participation and promotional activities.
Step 7. Submit the completed nomination before the official closing date.
Tips for a Strong Nomination
- Clearly describe the nominee’s achievements.
- Include measurable community impact whenever possible.
- Provide specific examples rather than general statements.
- Demonstrate leadership, innovation, or long-term commitment.
- Explain how the nominee has improved the lives of older people.
- Include endorsements or supporting evidence where available.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing the wrong award category.
- Providing insufficient evidence of impact.
- Submitting incomplete nomination forms.
- Missing eligibility requirements.
- Using vague or unsupported statements.
- Forgetting to obtain the nominee’s consent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can be nominated for the WA Seniors Awards?
Individuals, businesses, organisations, local governments, and advocates that have made significant contributions to older Western Australians may be nominated, depending on the award category.
What age is required for the Senior of the Year categories?
Nominees must be 65 years or older, or 55 years or older for Aboriginal people, and reside in Western Australia.
Can organisations apply for the awards?
Yes. Registered businesses, community organisations, and local governments may be nominated under the relevant age-friendly award categories.
Can previous nominees apply again?
Yes. Previous unsuccessful nominees are eligible for future nominations, although winners from the previous three years are not eligible in the same category.
Are nominations from diverse communities encouraged?
Yes. The awards strongly encourage nominations from First Nations Australians, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQI communities.
What qualities do the judges look for?
Judges consider leadership, compassion, innovation, community impact, advocacy, and meaningful contributions that improve the lives of older Western Australians.
Why are the WA Seniors Awards important?
The awards recognise outstanding achievements, celebrate positive ageing, encourage age-friendly communities, and inspire continued support for older people across Western Australia.
Conclusion
The WA Seniors Awards 2026 celebrate the remarkable individuals, organisations, businesses, local governments, and advocates who are making Western Australia a more inclusive, supportive, and age-friendly place for older people. By recognising leadership, innovation, compassion, and community service, the awards highlight inspiring achievements that strengthen communities and improve the wellbeing of seniors across the state.
For more information, visit Advocare.