Award Categories
There are nine Community Services Excellence Awards. Seven Award categories recognising organisations and two award categories recognising individuals for their exceptional work in the community services sector.
Category 1:
Trailblazing Small Organisation: Catalysts of Community Innovation.
Award Sponsor:
This Award category celebrates the unsung heroes of our communities—small, often volunteer-driven organisations that make a huge impact through their innovative, collaborative, or creative programs. These dynamic organisations deliver essential, irreplaceable services that make a real difference in people’s lives. Nominate a small organisation that’s making a real difference supporting individuals, families, and communities.
To be eligible for this category, the organisation must have an annual turnover between $5,000 and $1,000,000 per year.
Award Criteria
Nominations will be assessed regarding how effectively:
- The organisation demonstrates a commitment to innovation, creativity or collaboration across any aspect of its operations—whether through program design, service delivery, community engagement, resource use, or problem-solving strategies.
- The organisation provides clear, measurable outcomes from their programs, services or projects that show positive changes in the lives of individuals, families, or communities.
- The organisation has creatively developed and implemented solutions to meet specific community needs, showcasing innovative approaches.
- The organisation proactively identifies and responds to new or evolving needs within the community, demonstrating adaptability and a forward-thinking approach.
- The organisation can demonstrate a dedication to best practice and continuous improvement to better meet community needs through effective processes and procedures.
Category 2:
Standout Medium Organisation: Engines of Progress and Creativity
Award Sponsor:
This Award honours those organisations that are driving positive change through inventive, collaborative, and imaginative programs or services. Nominate a medium organisation that’s making a significant difference in the lives of people in the community.
To be eligible for this category your organisation must have an annual turnover between $1,000,000 and $6,000,000 per year.
Award Criteria
Nominations will be assessed regarding how effectively:
- The organisation demonstrates a commitment to creativity across its activities, using imaginative, resourceful, and unique approaches to make a positive impact in the community.
- The organisation provides clear, measurable outcomes from their programs, services or projects that show positive changes in the lives of individuals, families, or communities.
- The organisation has creatively developed and implemented solutions to meet specific community needs, showcasing innovative approaches.
- The organisation proactively identifies and responds to new or evolving needs within the community, demonstrating adaptability and a forward-thinking approach.
- The organisation can demonstrate a dedication to best practice and continuous improvement to better meet community needs through effective processes and procedures.
Category 3:
Impactful Large Organisation: Powerhouses of Positive Change
Award Sponsor:
This Award category acknowledges a large organisation that stands out for its exceptional contributions through innovative, collaborative, and creative programs or services. Nominate an organisation that is making a meaningful difference to individuals, families, or communities.
To be eligible your organisation must have a turnover of over $6,000,000 per year.
Award Criteria
Nominations will be assessed regarding how effectively:
- The organisation demonstrates a commitment to positive change in the community through innovation, creativity or collaboration across any aspect of its operations—whether through program design, service delivery, community engagement, resource use, or problem-solving strategies.
- The organisation provides clear, measurable outcomes from their programs, services or projects that show positive changes in the lives of individuals, families, or communities.
- The organisation has creatively developed and implemented solutions to meet specific community needs, showcasing innovative approaches.
- The organisation proactively identifies and responds to new or evolving needs within the community, demonstrating adaptability and a forward-thinking approach.
- The organisation can demonstrate a dedication to best practice and continuous improvement to better meet community needs through effective processes and procedures.
Category 4:
Remarkable Regional Organisation: Champions of Rural and Remote Innovation
Award Sponsor:
This Award category recognises regional, rural, and remote community service organisations as the backbone of vibrant, diverse regions who face unique challenges. This Award honours organisations that excel in delivering creative, collaborative, and innovative programs or services in these tough environments. Nominate an organisation that is a star in their regional community.
Award Criteria
Nominations will be assessed regarding how effectively:
- The organisation significantly contributes to the overall well-being of individuals and families in the regional, rural or remote communities through programs, services or projects.
- The organisation provides clear, measurable outcomes from their programs, services or projects that show positive changes in the lives of individuals, families, or communities.
- The organisation has creatively developed and implemented solutions to meet specific community needs, showcasing innovative approaches.
- The organisation proactively identifies and responds to new or evolving needs within the community, demonstrating adaptability and a forward-thinking approach.
- The organisation can demonstrate a dedication to best practice and continuous improvement to better meet community needs through effective processes and procedures.
Category 5:
Visionary Community-Led Collaboration: Crafting Better Futures Together
Award Sponsor:
This Award category recognises the power of community-driven solutions and collaborations that rise from our collective strengths. This category recognises outstanding strategies that emerge from genuine, community-led design, leading to culturally sensitive, place-based, and sustainable outcomes. Nominate collaboration that exemplifies how community insights and experiences can forge impactful, lasting change.
Award Criteria
Nominations will be assessed regarding how effectively:
- The collaboration fosters innovative approaches and solutions that arise from the collective knowledge, creativity, and experience of its participants.
- The collaborative efforts lead to significant positive outcomes for the community, enhancing social, economic, or environmental well-being
- The organisation provides clear, measurable outcomes from their programs, services or projects that show positive changes in the lives of individuals, families, or communities.
- The organisation has creatively developed and implemented solutions to meet specific community needs, showcasing innovative approaches.
- The organisation proactively identifies and responds to new or evolving needs within the community, demonstrating adaptability and a forward-thinking approach.
- The organisation can demonstrate a dedication to best practice and continuous improvement to better meet community needs through effective processes and procedures.
Category 6 and 7 Presented in Partnership with:
Category 6:
Dr Millie Penny AM Award - Outstanding Exceptional Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation: Champions of Cultural Empowerment
Award Sponsor:
This award is dedicated to Dr Millie Penny AM, a respected WACOSS Elder, community leader and tireless advocate for Aboriginal people and communities. Throughout her life, Dr Penny championed self-determination, cultural strength, and community-led solutions, inspiring generations through her wisdom, generosity and leadership. This award honours her enduring legacy by recognising Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations that embody the same commitment to empowering communities, strengthening culture, and creating lasting positive change.
Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) are essential providers of trusted, place-based, community-led, and culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal communities. This Award celebrates an ACCO that embodies and promotes the spirit of self-determination, and achieves outstanding outcomes for Aboriginal people and families in collaboration with their communities, through a holistic and culturally grounded approach.
Award Criteria
Nominations will be assessed regarding how effectively:
- The organisation actively promotes self-determination, empowering communities to lead and make decisions regarding their own services and well-being.
- The organisation provides clear, measurable outcomes from their programs, services or projects that show positive changes in the lives of individuals, families, or communities.
- The organisation has creatively developed and implemented solutions to meet specific community needs, showcasing innovative approaches.
- The organisation proactively identifies and responds to new or evolving needs within the community, demonstrating adaptability and a forward-thinking approach.
- The organisation can demonstrate a dedication to best practice and continuous improvement to better meet community needs through effective processes and procedures.
Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation or ACCO means an organisation that is an “Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisation” within the meaning of clause 44 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, being an organisation that delivers services, including land and resource management, that builds the strength and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people and is:
- incorporated under relevant legislation and not-for-profit;
- controlled and operated by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people;
- connected to the community, or communities, in which they deliver the services; and
- governed by a majority Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander governing body.
Category 7:
Inspiring Partnership between an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation and a Community Services Organisation
Award Sponsor:
Partnerships between Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Community Service Organisations (CSO) enhance culturally sensitive service delivery, build capacity, foster trust, and work towards self-determination for Aboriginal communities.
This category recognises exceptional relationships between ACCOs and CSOs, grounded in trust and genuine partnership, which lead to culturally appropriate service delivery and improved outcomes for Aboriginal people and their communities. Nominations should highlight initiatives that are based on mutual respect, shared decision making, and impactful outcomes, showcasing how the partnership effectively addresses community needs while empowering Aboriginal voices and self-determination.
Award Criteria
- The organisation actively promotes self-determination, empowering communities to lead and make decisions regarding their own services and well-being.
- The collaboration fosters innovative approaches and solutions that lead to significant positive outcomes for the community, enhancing social, economic, or environmental well-being
- The organisation provides clear, measurable outcomes from their programs, services or projects that show positive changes in the lives of individuals, families, or communities.
- The organisation has creatively developed and implemented solutions to meet specific community needs, showcasing innovative approaches.
- The organisation proactively identifies and responds to new or evolving needs within the community, demonstrating adaptability and a forward-thinking approach.
- The organisation can demonstrate a dedication to best practice and continuous improvement to better meet community needs through effective processes and procedures.
Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation or ACCO means an organisation that is an “Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisation” within the meaning of clause 44 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, being an organisation that delivers services, including land and resource management, that builds the strength and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people and is:
- incorporated under relevant legislation and not-for-profit;
- controlled and operated by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people;
- connected to the community, or communities, in which they deliver the services; and
- governed by a majority Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander governing body.
Individual Categories
Category 8:
Outstanding Contribution: Going Above and Beyond
Award Sponsor:
This Award category celebrates outstanding staff members who have exceeded expectations through their extraordinary involvement in community projects or in their significant impact to the sector. In the community services sector, some individuals truly stand out by going that extra mile. Nominate an outstanding contributor who has gone above and beyond within the sector. Nominees for this Award will automatically be considered for the 2028 Western Australian of the Year Award.
Award Criteria
Nominations will be assessed regarding how effectively:
- The individual demonstrates unwavering dedication to their role and the community, consistently going beyond their job requirements to support individuals and projects.
- The individual has made a measurable and positive impact on the lives of individuals or the broader community through their actions and initiatives.
- The nominee should exemplify personal dedication and resilience in overcoming challenges within their role.
- The individual demonstrates a commitment to innovation, creativity or collaboration.
Category 9:
Leadership Excellence: Inspiring Change and Innovation
Award Sponsor:
This category honours a standout leader who has brought exceptional innovation and guidance to their organisation and community. Nominate an excellent leader who has made a substantial difference in improving the lives of individuals and communities. Finalists in this category will also be nominated for the 2028 Western Australian of the Year Award.
Award Criteria
Nominations will be assessed regarding how effectively:
- The individual demonstrates leadership qualities by inspiring and guiding others within the organisation or the community.
- The nominee exemplifies personal dedication and resilience in overcoming challenges within their role.
- The individual demonstrates a commitment to innovation, creativity or collaboration.
- The nominee demonstrates a track record of implementing innovative practices or programs that address community needs.
- The nominee demonstrates a substantial and positive impact on the lives of individuals and the community as a whole. This includes addressing social issues, enhancing quality of life, and contributing to community resilience and wellbeing.
Award Prize Money
The award winner from each category will receive $1000.
Key Dates
Community Services Excellence Awards
Monday 3 May 2027
WACOSS Conference
3 - 5 May 2027
Nominations close
24 November 2026