Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers 2025
Nominations are now open for the Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers, which is coordinated by the Australian College of Nursing (ACN).
Established in partnership with the Australian Government, the Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers highlights the pivotal role nurses play in driving health care innovation.
The Health Minister’s Award recognises and celebrates nurses who are leading transformative change and reshaping health care in Australia.
The Award honours innovators who explore, develop, and implement new ways to address gaps in health care, improve patient outcomes, and advance the nursing profession.
ACN CEO, Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz FACN, said nursing trailblazers identify opportunities for improvement and take bold steps to turn their visions into reality.
“Their pioneering contributions flow across the entire health system, benefiting patients and communities all over the country,” Adjunct Professor Zeitz said.
“Previous winners have led the way with practical solutions in diverse areas such as mental health recovery camps, needle-phobia avoidance, street health services for the vulnerable and disadvantaged, ‘virtual’ hospitals in the home, and palliative care services in residential aged care facilities.
“These trailblazing ideas are now part of the health system – saving lives, improving lives, and providing comfort to people needing special care, and their families.
“If you know a nurse doing new and outstanding things in health care, their work deserves recognition. It’s time for you to nominate them for this prestigious Award,” Adjunct Professor Zeitz said.
Eligible nominees include registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and enrolled nurses whose work has significantly advanced health outcomes.
Nominations close on Monday 31 March 2025. The winner will be announced at the ACN National Nursing Forum, 23-25 July in Canberra.
How to nominate
- Trailblazers Homepage: https://www.acn.edu.au/nursing-trailblazers
- Application form: https://acn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cYXDqCgUSS8BKaW
- Information pack: https://www.acn.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025-nursing-trailblazer-information-pack.pdf
media-release-its-time-to-honour-nursing-trailblazers.pdf (305 KB, PDF)
