Terms and conditions

Please note the terms and conditions include a screening process, as set out below. Please read and ensure that you understand the awards terms and conditions before completing an entry.

1. An organisation that submits an entry (entrant) for the 2026 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards (awards) is deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions. Individuals and teams may only be nominated for an award through an eligible organisation.
2. By submitting an entry for the awards, entrants confirm they have read and agree to the specific entry requirements for their relevant awards category as specified on the Victorian Public Healthcare Award Categories page.
3. Entry into the awards is entirely voluntary. However, entrants may not be eligible if they do not provide all the information requested.
4. The State of Victoria acting through the Department of Health (department) is the promoter of the awards.

5. Entries will be accepted from Victorian government-funded healthcare providers and organisations delivering public health research or programs. Organisations eligible to apply include, but are not limited to:
   1. hospitals
   2. community health services
   3. mental health services
   4. aged care services
   5. integrated care centres
   6. ambulance services
   7. charity and non-government organisations
   8. organisations delivering public health research and initiatives

Programs and initiatives that receive funding from the Commonwealth Government, must also receive funding from the Victorian Government to be eligible for entry. This ensures we are celebrating excellence achieved through Victoria’s public health system and the leadership and innovation of our local health services.

Organisations that have worked collaboratively with another organisation(s) can jointly submit an entry for an award. If you are unsure of your eligibility, contact the Awards Team for advice at healthcareawards@health.vic.gov.au

6. To be eligible, individuals or teams nominated by an entrant must be employed by a Victorian government-funded healthcare organisation or public health organisation or, if they have ceased employment, must have been employed by a Victorian government-funded healthcare organisation or public health organisation in the preceding 12 months (30 March 2025 – 29 March 2026 inclusive).
7. An entrant cannot nominate the same program for a category award if that program was a previous award winner. However, previous entries that did not win can reapply for a category award. The entry should focus on the new achievements, successes and outcomes since lodging the previous entry. Please note: This does not apply to the Premier’s Health Service of the Year Awards. Entries that have previously won a Premier’s Health Service of the Year Award can enter the 2026 Premier’s Health Service of the Year Awards categories.

8. Completed entries must be received by the date nominated on the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards page. Entries received after this time will not be considered for the awards and no responsibility will be accepted by the department for lost, late, incomplete or incorrectly submitted entries.
9. Please review the award category descriptions to decide on the most appropriate category for your entry. The entry may be suitable for more than one however you need to select the award that best matches the central purpose of your program or initiative.
10. The same entry cannot be submitted for more than one award. You can contact the Awards Team at healthcareawards@health.vic.gov.au for further advice or support.
11. A separate online entry form must be completed for each entry for an award.
12. Online entries will be acknowledged with a confirmation email once your entry form is received.
13. Entrants can seek confirmation of the eligibility of an entry by contacting the Awards Team at healthcareawards@health.vic.gov.au prior to submitting.

14. All entries will be subject to a thorough vetting and screening process conducted by the department to ensure adherence with entry requirements.
15. This screening will take place initially when entries are received and again once judging has concluded.
16. The department reserves the right in its discretion to verify the validity of an entry and/or disqualify any entry which, in the opinion of the department, may be considered objectionable, potentially insulting or inflammatory or generally damaging to the goodwill or reputation of the awards; the department; the Secretary of the department; the Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services and Minister for Women; the Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Prevention of Family Violence; Minister for Children, Minister for Disability; and/or the Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Minister for Health Infrastructure or any entry that is not compliant with these terms and conditions.
17. The department may request further information or clarification from the entrant and/or referees regarding any entry.
18. Judges will consider all eligible entries and score each entry against the criteria for the selected award category.
19. In considering entries, the judges will take into account the results of each entry. The judges will review the entries and recommend two finalists and one winner in each category.
20. The department will review the judges’ recommendations and make the final decision as to the finalists and winner in each category.
21. The department reserves the right to disqualify an entry in the event that an entry is deemed unsatisfactory by the department.
22. The department's decisions on all matters pertaining to the awards are final and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into.
23. Announcement of award winners will be at the 2026 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards Gala Night. Announcement dates will be listed on the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards page once confirmed.

24. Award finalists will be invited to attend the Awards Gala Night, where the award winners will be announced and presented with their award. The Awards Gala Night date will be listed on the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards page once confirmed.
25. Award finalists and any guests must be 18 years or over to attend the Awards Gala Night.
26. All travel costs associated with an award finalist attending the Awards Gala Night and all other ancillary costs are the responsibility of the award finalists.

27. By submitting an entry, including personal information (as defined in the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic)) or where applicable, any health information (as defined in the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic)) provided as part of that entry, each entrant confirms that he or she consents, and has the consent of any person whose personal information or health information is contained in the entry, including but not limited to:
    1. the entrant, and nominated individual(s) (whether in their individual capacity or as part of a team) (or if under the age of 18, the nominated individual’s parent or legal guardian); and
    2. referees,

to provide that information to the department, and for the department to disclose that personal information or health information to other parties including, but not limited to, judges and the office of the Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services and Minister for Women; the Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Prevention of Family Violence; Minister for Children, Minister for Disability; and/or the Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Minister for Health Infrastructure for the purposes of conducting the awards.

28. If the entrant does not agree or have the requisite consent, the entrant must not provide their personal information or health information, or the personal information or health information of anyone else and will not be eligible to submit an entry for the awards.
29. Each entrant consents, and confirms that he or she has the consent of any individual nominated in an entry (whether in their individual capacity or as part of a team) to the department using the entrant’s and individual’s entry, name, likeness, image, voice and/or details of their participation in the awards (including photograph, film and/or recording of the same), in any media for an unlimited period of time without further notification, remuneration or compensation for the purpose of promoting, publicising or marketing the awards (including any outcome). If the entrant does not agree to the foregoing and/or does not have the consent of any individual nominated (whether in their individual capacity or as part of a team), the entrant must not provide their personal information or health information, or the personal information or health information of anyone else and will not be eligible to submit an entry for the awards.

30. Consistent with Victorian Government policy and legislation, the department endorses fair information handling practices. Personal, health and sensitive information supplied will be used by the department, the judges, the office of the Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services and Minister for Women; the Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Prevention of Family Violence; Minister for Children, Minister for Disability; and/or the Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Minister for Health Infrastructure and the Awards Gala Night for the purposes of considering entries, selecting award recipients and facilitating the Awards Gala Night. Information will not be disclosed or used for any other purpose without the express consent of the person to whom the information relates, unless otherwise required or permitted by law.

31. The Department of Health privacy policy sets out information about how the entrant and any nominated individual(s) may access and seek correction of their personal information or complain about a breach of their privacy, and how the department will deal with that complaint.
32. The platform entrants will submit their information on is run by Award Force (Creative Force Ltd, Award Force Pty Ltd and their corporate affiliates) and entrant’s information may be transferred overseas. If you choose to participate in the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards, please read Award Force's privacy policy.

It is intended and agreed that the conduct of the awards shall not give rise to any legal obligations, liabilities or duties, valid or enforceable in any way against the department, the Secretary of the department, the Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services and Minister for Women; the Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Prevention of Family Violence; Minister for Children, Minister for Disability; and/or the Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Roads and Road Safety and Minister for Health Infrastructure (or the Ministers’ representative) and/or the State of Victoria.