Find out more about:
Who is running the Awards?
The Awards have been initiated by the Australian Government and are managed by the Homelessness Policy Branch of the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
What is the purpose of the Awards?
The 2013 National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional efforts made by homelessness organisations and their partner agencies across Australia, who work tirelessly to respond to the needs of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The Awards are about demonstrating services’ responsive approaches, innovative programs and hard work – and show that there are pathways out of homelessness and positive outcomes for people who receive the right support.
These Awards are also about building a greater community awareness of the factors that contribute to homelessness, and the innovative approaches that are required from Government and the non-Government sector to reduce homelessness in Australia.
When is the event?
The Awards ceremony will be an invite-only sit down lunch. It will be held in the Melbourne Town Hall on 1 May 2013. Invitations for this event have already been distributed.
What do winners receive?
Award recipients will receive a trophy that acknowledges the contribution they are making to tackle homelessness. Winners, finalists and highly commended services in each category will receive a certificate and a finalist booklet highlighting their work and achievements. Finalists receive financial support to attend the Awards event (see ‘Is there financial support for services attending the event?’ below).
Additionally, award recipients, finalists and highly commended services will be provided with a National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards logo that they can attach to their email signature block and place on their website highlighting their achievement.
Will I be notified if I am not a finalist?
All nominees will be advised of the outcome of their nomination. Feedback on nominations is unable to be provided.
Is there financial support for services attending the event?
FaHCSIA will provide finalists with a contribution towards their travel costs to attend the 2013 National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards at Melbourne Town Hall.
FaHCSIA will contact the finalists with additional information in the lead up to the Awards event.
Nominating for an Award
Who can be nominated for an Award?
The Australian Government encourages big and small services, metropolitan, regional and remote services, and their partners, to submit nominations for the National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards.
Individuals are also encouraged to nominate a homelessness service in their community which is delivering exceptional support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Nominations are not limited to organisations directly helping people who are homeless. Agencies who, for example, do research on homelessness, provide preventative care for people at risk of homelessness or provide community education about homelessness issues may also be nominated.
Where can I submit a nomination form?
Nominations have closed for the 2013 National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards.
When do nominations close?
Nominations closed on Friday 1 February 2013.
Award categories
How many Awards categories are there?
The Awards feature seven categories, which were developed in partnership with representatives from the homelessness sector.
What are the categories for the Awards?
The Awards categories are:
- Excellence or innovation in addressing homelessness by an organisation
- Excellence in the prevention of, or early intervention in, homelessness
- Outstanding business or philanthropic commitment to addressing homelessness
- Excellence or innovation in partnerships in delivering services
- Excellence in addressing Indigenous homelessness
- Excellence in supporting pathways to employment or education
- Excellence in addressing homelessness in a regional, rural or remote location
Judging process
How will the Awards be judged?
The Awards will be judged on the following evaluation criteria:
- Relevance of the service, program, project or partnership to the award category
- Demonstrated outcomes, successes and positive impact on the client group
- Innovative, quality or leading practice elements that distinguish the approach from others
Each of the seven categories has specific requirements that should be answered in addressing the evaluation criteria. These are detailed on the relevant nomination forms.
Who is judging the nominations?
The Awards will be independently judged by a panel of experienced homelessness sector representatives and government officials.
If you have a question about the Awards, please contact us.