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The French-Australian Excellence Awards are back for their sixth edition and 2026 marks an exciting new chapter.
For the first time, the Awards will take place in Melbourne, bringing together the French-Australian community to celebrate the individuals and organisations whose achievements contribute to French-Australian relations and to Australian society.
At Bilateral Solutions, we are proud to once again support the Awards as sponsor of the Entrepreneurship category, a partnership we value deeply and one that reflects our own commitment to supporting international businesses and entrepreneurs establishing and growing in Australia.
The 2026 Awards journey has officially begun. Here’s what you need to know.
What are the French-Australian Excellence Awards?
Organised by Le Courrier Australian, the French-Australian Excellence Awards recognise French and/or Australian citizens whose remarkable talents, collaboration, entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and dedication have significantly enriched the Franco-Australian community throughout the year.
From emerging talents and accomplished entrepreneurs to public figures, the Awards celebrate outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations to French-Australian relations and society across Australia. Importantly, the competition is participatory: anyone can nominate a candidate.
Nominees are then voted on by the Public and a Jury, giving the wider community an opportunity to help recognise those making a meaningful contribution.
2026: A new chapter in Melbourne
The sixth edition of the French-Australian Excellence Awards will take place on:
- Thursday 5 November 2026
St Kilda Town Hall, Melbourne
This will be the first time the Awards have been held in Melbourne, marking a new milestone in the French-Australian Excellence Awards’ journey. But before the celebration comes the opportunity to recognise the people who deserve to be there.
The 2026 Award categories
The 2026 Awards recognise excellence across 10 categories, reflecting the diversity of talent, achievement and contribution within the French-Australian community.
- Entrepreneurship
The Entrepreneurship Award recognises individuals, including teams and/or on behalf of their businesses or organisations, who have demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and business acumen.The winner will have successfully launched and grown a business (excluding technology startups), showing resilience, creativity and leadership in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities.Whether through products, disruptive business models or social entrepreneurship initiatives, they will have made a significant impact on their industry and/or community, driving economic growth and fostering innovation. - Culture, Entertainment and Events
Celebrating outstanding contributions to arts, culture, entertainment and events that enrich the cultural landscape and promote French culture in Australia. - Culinary and Gastronomy
Recognising exceptional creativity and innovation in gastronomy, including contributions that showcase French or local ingredients, traditions and culinary excellence. - Environment and Sustainability
Celebrating individuals demonstrating leadership and innovation in sustainability, environmental conservation, CSR and ESG practices. - International Expansion and Value Creation Awards
Recognising exceptional achievements in international expansion and creating value through global trade, including successful market entry, international relationships and sustainable growth. - Research and Innovation
Recognising significant contributions to research, knowledge, scientific discovery and innovative solutions that create lasting impact. - Solidarity and Community
Celebrating exceptional dedication to solidarity, community building and volunteering, particularly initiatives supporting inclusion and vulnerable communities. - Sport & Well-Being
Recognising exceptional sporting achievement and contributions through athletic performance, leadership, sportsmanship or sports development. - Women in STEM
Celebrating women making significant contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics through research, innovation and outstanding achievement. - High Impact Corporation
Recognising exceptional leadership and significant impact within an industry or organisation, including vision, strategic thinking, growth and innovation.
How to nominate someone
Anyone can nominate a candidate, and nominations are open until 21 September 2026 at 11:59pm AEST. The nomination process is completed online and is straightforward:
- Enter your details: Provide your first name, surname and email address.
- Write the nomination summary: Provide a 300–500 word presentation of the nominee, including their involvement in the French-Australian community in Australia.
The organisers recommend focusing on how the nominee fits the selected category, the impact they have made, and any awards, feedback or stories that demonstrate their contribution.
Ready to nominate?
→ Nominate someone for the 2026 French-Australian Excellence Awards
What happens next?
The nomination phase is only the beginning of the 2026 Awards journey.
- Nominations | 25 August – 21 September 2026
This is your opportunity to put forward someone whose achievements deserve recognition. - Voting | 26 September – 19 October 2026
Following the nomination period, voting will take place. Nominees are voted on by the Public and a Jury. - Official ceremony | Thursday 5 November 2026
The 2026 winners will be celebrated at St Kilda Town Hall in Melbourne.
We will be following the journey closely here at Bilateral Solutions and will share further updates as the 2026 Awards progress, from the nominees and finalists through to the eventual winners.
For now, we encourage you to think about the people in your network who are making a difference to the French-Australian community and to Australian society.
Who will you nominate? 🇫🇷🇦🇺