Australians from every corner of society have been celebrated for their remarkable contributions to the nation, with over 680 individuals receiving recognition in the general division of the Order of Australia. The 2026 Australia Day awards honour exceptional service, leadership and impact across diverse fields including sport, science, law, politics and community advocacy.
Among the distinguished recipients is Olympic icon Cathy Freeman, who has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for her outstanding service to athletics and her lasting influence as a role model for young Australians. The honours list also features senior judicial figures, world-leading researchers and political leaders whose work continues to shape the country's future.
Australian of the Year: A Trailblazer for Space and STEM
Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia's first qualified astronaut, has made history by being named the 2026 Australian of the Year. As a pioneering space engineer, she became the first Australian to complete astronaut training at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany, graduating in 2024 after being selected from a pool of more than 22,500 applicants.
"I am deeply humbled to be recognised as Australian of the Year, especially considering the incredible other finalists and also the bravery that's been exhibited across Australia in the last weeks at Bondi and also with our first responders," Bennell-Pegg told Sunrise following the ceremony in Canberra.
She expressed particular gratitude for the opportunity to use her platform to address challenges in engaging young people with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. Although she has not yet travelled to space, Bennell-Pegg maintains her readiness through her work with Defence and the Australian Space Agency.
Her daughters, Clara and Hazel, attended the ceremony, a moment she described as profoundly meaningful. "I just hope that when they grow up that they have a dream to pursue, because to pursue a dream that you truly feel is worthwhile is an absolute joy," she reflected.
Throughout her year as Australian of the Year, Bennell-Pegg plans to travel nationally, collaborating with scientists, researchers and businesses to unlock new opportunities in Australia's burgeoning space sector. "Even more so than the technical breakthroughs is to be able to support young people, to raise their aspirations, to do hard things, including space, including STEM and whatever else their dreams may be," she emphasised.
Senior Australian of the Year: A Lifetime Dedicated to Dementia Care
Psychiatrist and dementia researcher Professor Henry Brodaty has been named Senior Australian of the Year for his transformative impact on people living with dementia. His career was profoundly shaped by personal tragedy when his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at just 52 years old in 1972, during a period when dementia was poorly understood and support services were virtually non-existent.
Speaking on Sunrise, Professor Brodaty described the honour as "thrilling" and highlighted how the award provides an opportunity to continue improving dementia care and prevention. "My focus has been on prevention or delaying the onset of dementia, and also on trying to help people who have got dementia and their families care for dementia," he explained.
He recalled having to interrupt his psychiatry training in England to return home and support his family after his father's diagnosis. "It was a gradual process, as dementia often is. And he gradually declined," he remembered. "It's also another person's illness. When one person gets dementia, it affects other people, particularly the family."
Over his distinguished career, Professor Brodaty has helped establish Dementia Australia at state, national and international levels and co-founded the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing. His research indicates that up to 45 percent of dementia risk can be reduced through lifestyle modifications including regular exercise, maintaining social connections and keeping the brain active.
"We can all do something about it by living a better life and doing it from an earlier age," he advised. While dementia risk doubles every five years after age 65, Professor Brodaty stressed that a diagnosis does not mean life must stop. "If we do get dementia, there's a lot we can do to live positively with dementia," he said, highlighting ongoing work around rehabilitation and enjoying life for as long as possible.
Young Australian of the Year: Running to End Homelessness
Ultra-marathon runner Nedd Brockmann has been named the 2026 Young Australian of the Year for his relentless commitment to ending homelessness in Australia. The former electrician first captured national attention in 2022 when he ran 3,952 kilometres from Perth's Cottlesloe Beach to Sydney's Bondi Beach in just 46 days.
Since that remarkable feat, Brockmann has raised more than $10 million through extreme endurance challenges, including running around Sydney Olympic Park 4,000 times over 12 days. He told Sunrise he will be "forever grateful" for the honour.
"I'm truly honoured and grateful, and it was not something I'd ever imagined taking on this journey three and a half years ago," Brockmann said. "I truly just wanted to help and find out what I was capable of, and it's grown legs. It's grown serious momentum."
He explained that pushing through the exhaustion of such challenges comes down to personal integrity. "When I say I'm going to do something, I do it," Brockmann stated. "It comes down to being who you are. When you look at yourself in the mirror at night, are you that person?"
Brockmann works closely with homelessness organisation Mobilise and has studied Finland's Housing First model, which has significantly reduced homelessness in that country. "I know we can do it with this award. Hopefully in chats with government, we'll be able to leverage the work Mobilise have done and distribute funds accordingly to make this happen," he expressed optimistically.
Australian Local Hero: Creating Pathways for Indigenous Employment
Perth businessman Frank Mitchell has been named the 2026 Australian Local Hero for creating life-changing opportunities for Aboriginal people in the construction industry. A proud Whadjuk-Yued Noongar man, Mitchell serves as co-director of Wilco Electrical and co-founder of Indigenous-led organisations Kardan, Baldja and Bilyaa.
His commitment to social change was shaped by personal experiences with suicide and the loss of close friends. Reflecting on his journey, he noted that adversity helped define his purpose. "Had I not gone through the struggles and had the losses that shaped my life, I don't know if that's the path that I would have ended up choosing," he acknowledged.
After being offered an electrical apprenticeship as a young single father, Mitchell later became a business owner in 2015 and pledged to create similar opportunities for others. "It's incredible and just a wonderful opportunity to be able to represent my community," he said. "There's a wonderful opportunity here to leverage what is only the beginning of my work in building a framework for mob to feel safer in workplaces."
What began with just eight staff and $1.5 million in turnover has grown into four companies employing more than 200 people. Mitchell and his partners have created more than 70 Aboriginal upskilling positions, including 30 electrical apprenticeships, and awarded over $11 million to Aboriginal subcontractors.
A Nation Celebrating Service and Achievement
Beyond the Australian of the Year recipients, the Australia Day honours recognised achievement across every sector of Australian society. Legal leaders, scientists, cancer researchers, climate experts and politicians were also acknowledged, including former premiers, senior judges and world-renowned academics.
From the youngest recipient aged 32 to the oldest aged 99, the 2026 honours celebrate Australians whose dedication, courage and compassion continue to shape the nation. An additional 269 Australians were honoured with separate awards for their work in the military, emergency services and the public service, further highlighting the breadth of contribution being recognised this Australia Day.
