OSCAs AWARD CATEGORIES
Description and Selection Criteria
Organisation Awards
Innovation in service delivery
This award recognises an organisation, service, program or project that has demonstrated creativity and innovation.
The winner will have used new ideas to develop a program, project or activity that has been impactful in improving settlement outcomes for migrants and refugees. This may include working with the community sector, government, business, or the broader community.
Selection criteria:
- How has the work impacted on and benefited migrants and refugees?
- What makes the nominee innovative, unique or special?
- How have they thought and acted “outside the box” to deliver services to migrants and refugees?
Good things come in small packages
This award recognises small organisations that have achieved excellence in the provision of settlement services to migrants and refugees.
The winner will have demonstrated that strong will, consistent efforts and high performing teams can achieve more with less. Only organisations with less than 10 employees can apply for this award.
Selection criteria:
- How has their work impacted on and benefited migrants and refugees?
- What makes the nominee outstanding, and how have they demonstrated that small organisations are capable of delivering excellent services?
- What is unique about their organisation or program?
Outstanding partnership
This award recognises an organisation, program or project that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to developing meaningful partnerships with settlement services, government, the community or other key stakeholders.
The winner will have demonstrated excellence in partnering — building on the strength of others, inspiring and involving others to become engaged in services, and working collaboratively to support better outcomes for migrants and refugees.
Selection criteria:
- How has their work impacted on, and benefited migrants and refugees?
- Has the organisation, program or project excelled at inspiring and involving others?
- How was partnering and collaborating vital to the success of this initiative?
- What unique opportunities for engagement and collaboration has this organisation, program or project used?
Outstanding work in regional setting
This award recognises exceptional efforts of teams and organisations that have significantly contributed to improving settlement outcomes in regional settings in Australia.
The winner will have demonstrated excellence in service delivery, advocacy, or policy development. Their work will have contributed to improving the quality, culturally safety and access to settlement services for migrants and refugees in regional Australia.
Selection criteria:
- How has their work impacted on, and benefited migrants and refugees?
- What makes the nominee outstanding?
- What makes this organisation, program or project unique?
Individual Awards
Settlement work champion
This award recognises an individual settlement worker who has demonstrated their exceptional commitment and effectiveness in supporting migrants and refugees.
The winner will have demonstrated their excellence in line with the Settlement Sector Quality Framework – they will have improved settlement outcomes across the National Settlement Outcomes Standards (e.g. employment, housing, civic participation, etc), and they will reflect the qualities in the key practices and principles (e.g. strengths-based, person-centred, etc).
Selection criteria:
- How has their work impacted on, and benefited migrants and refugees?
- What makes the nominee outstanding, unique or special?
- In what way has the nominee demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment and dedication?
Outstanding volunteer
This award recognises the incredible dedication, effort and community service of volunteers and their invaluable contribution to settlement services.
The winner will have demonstrated their generosity and dedication to migrants and refugees and their communities.
Selection criteria:
- How has their work impacted on, and benefited migrants and refugees?
- Has the nominee demonstrated a long-term and consistent commitment to migrants and refugees?
- How has the nominee used best practice approaches contributing to positive settlement outcomes?
- How significant were the contributions that the nominee made?
Emerging leader
This award encourages emerging settlement leaders who have already made a notable contribution to the sector and in supporting migrants and refugees. The award recognises high-performing individuals in the settlement sector with outstanding leadership attributes and a thirst for knowledge and improvement. The award seeks to acknowledge an emerging leader who contributed in a meaningful and impactful way.
The Emerging Leader award is an individual award that recognises a rising star currently working in the settlement sector.
Selection criteria:
- How has their work impacted on, and benefited migrants and refugees?
- How have demonstrated an outstanding level of performance at work?
- How have they shown leadership in their role?
Unsung Hero
This award recognises an outstanding individual who rarely receives recognition for their impactful work which supports migrants and refugees or the settlement sector.
The winner will be someone who works to improve the well-being of migrants and refugees. They do not necessarily need to be in a settlement specific role – they can someone who works ‘behind the scenes’ in the sector. They might be a coach, mentor, or someone who works in an administrative capacity, such as an office or finance manager.
Selection criteria:
- How has their work impacted on, and benefited migrants and refugees?
- What role do they play in supporting migrants and refugees and/or the settlement sector?
- How is their level of dedication and commitment special and unique?