HESTA Australian Nursing & Midwifery Awards

The HESTA Australian Nursing & Midwifery Awards recognise nurses, midwives, nurse educators and researchers as well as personal care workers.

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A story worth celebrating...

These awards celebrate exceptional nurses and midwives with a story worth celebrating. Nominations are now open

Read the media release

2026 Awards presentation

The 2026 HESTA Australian Nursing & Midwifery Awards were hosted by Virginia Trioli on 14 May in Melbourne.

Read about the winners

Prizes

Winners will share a $30,000 prize pool, courtesy of our premium sponsor, J.P.Morgan.

Terms and conditions

2026 winners announced

We celebrated all the finalists and announced three outstanding winners on Thursday 14 May 2026.

Read about them here

2026 winners

2026 Midwife of the Year

Rochelle Bonning from Campbelltown Hospital was recognised for her 30 years of service advancing woman-centred maternity care.

Read Rochelle's story

2026 Nurse of the Year

Helen Lamech from Healthy Living NT in Alice Springs was recognised for transforming diabetes care across Central Australia.

Read Helen's story

2026 Outstanding Organisation

Recovery Camp was recognised for its Australian-first therapeutic recreation program.

Read their story

Award categories

Outstanding Organisation

This award recognises an organisation that has demonstrated a commitment to creating a better future for people working in nursing and/or midwifery.

Eligibility criteria

Midwife of the Year

This award recognises an exceptional midwife who delivers outstanding patient care and has delivered positive outcomes and performed above the expectations of their role.

Eligibility criteria

Nurse of the Year

This award recognises an exceptional nurse who delivers outstanding patient care and has delivered positive outcomes and performed above the expectations of their role.

Eligibility criteria

Who can enter?

Employers, patients, colleagues, nurses and midwives can nominate themselves or a special individual or team who has made a real difference to the lives of patients or to the quality of a service.

Everyone involved in every stage of the delivery of care can enter or be nominated.

Recognition

Every person or organisation nominated will receive a certificate in recognition of their contributions.

Read about the 2026 finalists

Prizes

Winners share a $30,000 prize pool, courtesy of our premium sponsor, J.P. Morgan.

Terms and conditions

2026 Winners

The 2026 winners were announced on 14 May 2026 in Melbourne.

Watch the presentations

If you didn't see the live presentations, you can catch up here.
The 2026 HESTA Australian Nursing & Midifery Awards were streamed live and the recordings are available on our facebook page.

View more photos here