2026 Adult Recognition Awards

Nominations for the 2026 Adult Recognition Awards must be completed online and can be accessed by clicking the tab below.  Nominations close midnight February 22, 2026.

2026 Adult Recognition Nomination Form

To be considered for an Award the Nominee must meet the following criteria: -

• Carrying out the responsibilities of their current position in Scouting, Certificate of Proficiency or non‑uniformed management role to the highest standard which contributes to Youth membership growth or the wellbeing of Scouting.
• Promoting teamwork and a positive attitude in mentoring fellow Adults in Scouting.
• Demonstrating leadership qualities which inspire enthusiasm among other Adults in Scouting and/or Young Adult members.
• Providing ideas for the future direction of Scouting and demonstrating how they can be implemented to contribute to the development of Youth and / or Adults influenced by their role.
• For the higher Awards, contributing to wider Scouting (including Internationally) by involvement in activities beyond the level of responsibilities normally expected in the appointment or management role held.
• To be nominated for an Award, a Leader must have completed the mandatory Scouting Preliminary of “Child Safe Scouting” and “WHS for Scouting”.

For full guidelines refer to: - Adult Recognition Awards 2026

All nominations must be treated as confidential and should not be discussed with anyone including the nominee.

*Please note that award criteria may change from year to year and that nominations submitted in previous years will not roll over.

Important Notes

Wood Badge Requirement Update

Following a national adjustment endorsed by Scouts Australia and confirmed by Chief Commissioner of Australia Brendan Watson, a Wood Badge is no longer required to be eligible for an Adult Recognition Award.

Time Between Awards

There is no strict rule governing how long a member must wait between receiving one award and being considered for another. However, in general there is usually a three to four year gap between awards to allow members time to meet the expected service requirements. Some higher awards, such as the Silver Emu, have specific guidance (for example, four to five years after receiving the Silver Koala).

If you are unsure, please review the guidelines or contact your District Commissioner for guidance before submitting a nomination.