Shaping Australia Awards
Australia’s universities are extraordinary places full of extraordinary people who help transform lives and our nation for the better.
From groundbreaking research to developing the skilled workforce of tomorrow, universities play a vital role in supporting the communities they serve — and shaping Australia’s future.
The Shaping Australia Awards, proudly presented by Universities Australia, recognise and celebrate the impactful contributions made by universities each day. These awards shine a light on the initiatives making a real difference.
Explore the remarkable winning Shaping Australia Awards projects that are helping build a better future for Australia.
University of Sydney’s Saving our cereals - Around sixty per cent of Australia’s wheat now carries genetic resistance to rust disease, thanks to research by Professor Robert Park and his team safeguarding agricultural production and food security.
University of South Australia’s Degree apprenticeship program - Australia’s first university apprenticeship program is breaking financial barriers – students earn a salary without taking on debt. Its success has led South Australia’s Department of State Development to explore expanding degree apprenticeships.
UNSW Sydney Kirby Institute’s Point-of-care testing in remote First Nations communities - This program has led to a forty per cent drop in pelvic inflammatory disease and a thirty per cent reduction in preterm births among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Now operating in over 100 remote communities, it has saved Australia’s health care system up to $1.8 billion.
University of Wollongong's All ages all abilities playground - A first-of-its-kind play space for young adults with intellectual disabilities.
RMIT’s Latte-street innovation: coffee-infused concrete - This eco-friendly innovation boosts concrete strength by 30 per cent and is already in use in Victoria’s Big Build projects and is also showcased at Germany’s prestigious Futurium museum.
University of South Australia’s Delivering the future of our space and security sectors MBA program - This cutting-edge program is training future leaders in cyber security, space systems and defence procurement.
Visit shapingaustraliaawards.com.au for more information about the awards program.