The Australian Awards for Teaching Excellence celebrate teaching and its contribution to our nation. They recognise the pivotal role of the teaching profession in delivering high quality education for young Australians.
The Awards honour exceptional teachers, including teacher leaders and beginning teachers, principals and support staff who
work creatively and tirelessly to make a difference to the lives and opportunities of young people.
Members of the school and its wider community, including colleagues, students and parents, nominate people they know who make an outstanding contribution to their school and outcomes for students.
In 2009 the Australian Awards for Teaching Excellence recognise 64 exceptional winners in six categories:
Excellence by a Teacher
Excellence in Teacher Leadership
Excellence by a Principal
Excellence by a Beginning Teacher
Excellence by a Support Staff Member
Excellence by a School and its Community
In each category there is one Best National Achievement award, and a number of Highly Commended Achievement awards as well
as the Minister's award for Excellence in ICT.
The Australian Government provides more than $1 million in prize money to celebrate excellence in teaching. In each individual
category, winners receive a cash prize with a further cash prize for their school. The winners in the school category receive
a cash prize for the school.
The Awards are an integral part of building and strengthening the standing of the teaching profession.
