What does this mean?
You must submit an online, written application (applications open on 22nd June 2026 and close on Sunday, 9th August 2026.)
The Award ceremony is on Friday, 9th October 2026, and finalists should be available in person, but we understand this is not always possible.
The Award Categories
There are:
6 Categories to submit for and,
1 Overall Recognition for International Student of the Year (read about last year's winner).
No submission is necessary for the International Student of the Year Category; judges will choose from entrants across the academic excellence, community engagement and peer support categories, so make sure you put in your best submission as there is a chance this can be you!
1. Academic Excellence
Recognises a students’ exceptional academic results combined with their contributions outside their academics. It is open to students across different types of studies:
University Postgraduate - Research
University Postgraduate - Coursework
University Undergraduate
Pathways
Vocational Education and Training
School
2. Community Engagement
Recognises a students’ involvement and contribution to the South Australian community, including their personal growth and outcomes.
3. Peer Support
Highlights the support and/or advocacy students’ have provided for their fellow international students over the past 12 months.
4. Alumni
It is open to international graduates who completed their studies at a South Australian Institution:
Rising Star Alumni: Graduate from a South Australian institution who has less than three (3) years professional experience (3 years experience includes any professional experience prior to and after completing their qualification).
Outstanding Alumni: Graduate from a South Australian institution who has more than three (3) years professional experience (3 years experience includes any professional experience prior to and after completing their qualification).
5. Student Association of the Year
Recognises the work of student associations to deliver events or initiatives to support their peers and enhance their experience in South Australia.
6. Employer of the Year
Nominated by an international student or graduate. This award recognises an organisation business in South Australia that employs international students or graduates in casual, part-time or fulltime employment.
About the Prizes
It is about recognition but our past winners have loved that there are actual prizes!
1. Each award recipient will receive an award certificate recognising their achievement.
2. The winner in each individual award category will receive $500 cash prize.
3. Highly Commended award recipients will receive $200 cash prize.
4. Student Association of the year will receive $500 cash prize.
5. Employer of the Year will receive a trophy and the nominator (student or graduate) will receive $200 cash prize.
6. The recipient of the International Student of the Year will receive $2,500 cash prize.
Key Dates
Applications Open: Monday 22nd June 2026
Applications Close: 11:59pm (Adelaide time), Sunday 9th August 2026
Award Presentation: Friday 9th October 2026, held at the SkyCity Ballroom and will be recorded.
Terms & Conditions
Nominee Requirements
1. Nominees for Academic Excellence, Community Engagement, Peer Support and Student Association of the Year must be;
a) current international students, enrolled in a South Australian education institution that is a member of StudyAdelaide.
b) currently studying or have completed a course within the last six months.
2. Nominees for Alumni must have completed a qualification from a South Australian Institution that is a member of StudyAdelaide.
a) Rising Star Alumni applicants must have completed their studies with a South Australian institution and have less than three (3) years professional experience (3 years experiences includes any professional experience prior to and after completing their qualification).
b) Outstanding Alumni applicants must have completed their studies with a South Australian institution and have more than three (3) years professional experience (3 years experiences includes any professional experience prior to and after completing their qualification).
3. Nominations for Employer of the Year can be completed by either currently enrolled international students or graduates who completed a qualification from a South Australian Institution that is a member of StudyAdelaide. The employer must be located in South Australia.
4. Nominations for individual awards must be written by the student/graduate applying for the award.
5. Nominations for Student Association of the Year must be submitted by the student association leadership team
6. Previous winners are welcome to apply again; however, they may not apply in the same category in which they previously won. Applicants who were awarded Highly Commended may reapply in the same category.
7. Applicants can apply in more than one category but must submit a separate application for each category.
8. All nomination information, photos and supporting material submitted may be used and distributed by StudyAdelaide for media and promotional purposes.
9. All nomination information, photos and supporting material may be shared with the institution referenced in the application for their own promotional purposes.
10. Nominees agree to participate in media publicity and promotion associated with the awards, including the use of photos submitted in the application process, or taken at the awards presentation ceremony.
11. Finalists should be available and endeavour to attend the award ceremony on Friday, 9th October 2026 (inability to attend does not disqualify entry).
Application Process
You must submit your application via the online application form.
All criteria should be addressed in your online nomination. Relevant supporting documents and photographs should be attached to your nomination. You can attach these as the last step of your online application.
Applications open on Monday, 22nd June 2026 and close 11:59pm Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) on Sunday, 9th August 2026.
You can withdraw your application at any time up to 11:59pm Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) on Sunday, 9th August 2026 by emailing [email protected].
The award winners will be announced on Friday, 9th October 2026.
Selection Process
1. The selection of winners is undertaken by a specialist judging panel convened by StudyAdelaide.
2. The judges reserve the right to verify the content provided in any of the applications received.
3. Members of the judging panel will maintain the confidentiality of the content of each application, unless consent is given by the nominee to do otherwise.
4. StudyAdelaide reserves the right to not award the full complement of awards in any one year, if it is determined that the criteria have not been fully met.
5. The judges’ decisions are final and no further correspondence will be entered into.
Contact Person
All correspondence should be directed to:
Alessandra Francia
Student Engagement Manager
StudyAdelaide Level 1, 26 Franklin St Adelaide, SA 5000
📞 Phone: 08 8226 0022
📩 Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
Successful applicants will be notified by Friday, 25th September 2026 and invited to attend the award ceremony on Friday, 9th October 2026. Unsuccessful applicants will also be notified by Friday, 25th September 2026.
Apply Now
To apply for the 2026 StudyAdelaide International Student Awards. Please follow the steps listed below to create your 2026 award application account and apply for this year's awards.
Click the red button below
Register an account.
Start your entry (remember to continue to save your application as you go).
Submit your entry for the StudyAdelaide International Student Awards.
Best of luck!
All award queries are to be directed to:
Alessandra Francia
Student Engagement Manager
[email protected] or 08 8226 0022