A cross-section of advocates, from youth workers and filmmakers to legal reformers and clinicians, has been shortlisted for the 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards, with 20 finalists selected from nearly 300 nominations across five categories.
Australian Human Rights Commission President, Hugh de Kretser, said the awards celebrate those advancing rights in communities across the country. ‘The Awards shine a light on Australia’s human rights champions – individuals and organisations working across healthcare, education, law, the arts, the environment and more to improve the lives of others,’ Mr de Kretser said. ‘This year’s finalists reflect the diverse ways people are advancing justice and equality.’
Winners will be announced at a ceremony and reception at the UTS Great Hall in Sydney on Friday 12 December, to coincide with International Human Rights Day on 10 December. The event will include the annual Human Rights Day Oration, with this year’s orator to be named in the coming weeks. ‘I also want to acknowledge and thank everyone who was nominated. Our judging panels were deeply impressed by the calibre and diversity of this year’s nominations,’ Mr de Kretser said.
The Commission describes the awards, first presented in 1987, as the country’s leading recognition of outstanding contributions to human rights.
Human Rights Medal finalists:
– Travis Lovett (Vic), Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorook Justice Commission, recognised for strengthening self-determination, building bridges between cultures and amplifying First Peoples’ voices through truth-telling.
– Anjali Sharma (ACT), credited with climate advocacy that has sparked a movement for climate justice for future generations.
– William Tilmouth (NT), acknowledged for a lifetime of work for reform, justice, opportunity and self-determination for First Peoples.
– Michelle Telfer (Vic), recognised for advocacy for trans and gender-diverse young people and helping shift the national conversation towards inclusion, compassion and evidence-based care.
Law Award – presented by Anti-Discrimination NSW in memory of Helen McKenzie:
– Elisabeth Armitage (NT), for work as Coroner and judge to hold institutions accountable and remove barriers to safe, equal participation.
– Jane Tiller (Vic), for leadership on ethical, legal and social issues in genomic medicine and reshaping health policy through a human rights lens.
– Tekan Lee Cochrane (Vic), for law reform and community work to build safer systems, particularly for First Peoples, migrants and others facing injustice.
– Belinda Kochanowska (Qld), for using the law to uphold disability rights and restore dignity and autonomy for NDIS participants.
Media and Creative Industries Award – presented by SBS:
– Ben Doherty (NSW), for reporting on human rights and humanitarian issues, including domestic servitude, forced migration and asylum.
– Yokai: Healing Our Spirit (WA), for the documentary Genocide in the wildflower state, portraying the trauma and resilience of Stolen Generations survivors in Western Australia.
– Fringe Dweller Films (Vic), for Killjoy, telling the story of Kathryn Joy, a child-survivor of family violence, and spotlighting how children’s voices are overlooked in systemic responses.
– InFilms (Qld), for Unbreakable: the Jelena Dokic story, detailing how abuse was ignored and highlighting the need to safeguard children’s rights in sport.
Community Award – presented by the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia:
– Diversity Arts Australia (NSW), for promoting human rights through storytelling, campaigns and programmes in the creative sector.
– Welcome Merchant (Vic), for elevating the voices of refugee and asylum seeker entrepreneurs through digital marketing and events.
– Womn-Kind (NSW), for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of adolescent girls and gender-diverse young people, particularly in regional and rural areas.
– Ramnik Singh Walia (NT), for advocacy to improve inclusion and accessible services for older people, people with disability and First Peoples, especially in remote communities.
Young People’s Award – presented by the EU Delegation to Australia:
– Shakira Robertson (Tas), for trauma-informed work to prevent domestic and family violence and drive systemic reform in Tasmania.
– Jarib Branfield-Bradshaw (Qld), for creating culturally safe spaces and support for young people.
– Charlotte Bailey (ACT), for advocating fair pay for people with disability and raising awareness of the value of inclusive employment.
– Satara Uthayakumaran (NSW), for innovative advocacy sharing letters from children in detention with policymakers, a Listening Tour, and ongoing legal and social reform efforts.
More than 600 guests from community, government, legal, media and entertainment sectors are expected at the Sydney event on 12 December. Tickets are available now.
