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NSW GovernmentDSSA Awards

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

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Categories that reward impact, judgement, and work that shifts the branch forward.

The awards model reduces overlap, sharpens each category, and makes it easier to recognise individual, team, and project contributions on the strength of evidence.

Innovation AwardProgress Through Change AwardCollaboration AwardProfessional Conduct Under Pressure AwardDelivery Excellence AwardCapability Builder Award
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01

Innovation Award

Continuously improving / Pushing the limits

New methods with measurable lift

Recognises an individual, team, or project that challenged existing ways of working and applied new ideas, tools, or approaches that materially improved how work is performed or outcomes are delivered.

Turns fresh thinking into practical change people can point to.

Eligible for: Individual, team, or project

This award recognises

  • Applied innovation that delivered measurable improvement
  • Introduction of new tools, methods, or processes
  • Applies an intelligent solution to challenge established practices
Nominate in this category
02

Progress Through Change Award

Continuously improving

Momentum in uncertain conditions

Recognises an individual or team who made sustained progress by adapting, persevering, and pushing beyond usual boundaries to achieve improvement in complex or uncertain conditions.

Rewards persistence, adaptability, and steady progress when the path is shifting.

Eligible for: Individual or team

This award recognises

  • Sustained momentum during ambiguity or transition
  • Quiet persistence and adaptability
  • Removing obstacles while learning and adjusting
Nominate in this category
03

Collaboration Award

Working across boundaries

Outcomes achieved across boundaries

Recognises an individual, team, or project that brought people from different teams, disciplines, or perspectives together to deliver outcomes that could not have been achieved in isolation.

Recognises work that became stronger because different people were pulled in together.

Eligible for: Individual, team, or project

This award recognises

  • Effective cross-team or cross-discipline working
  • Integration of different perspectives into delivery
  • Reduction of duplication or delivery friction
Nominate in this category
04

Professional Conduct Under Pressure Award

Integrity

Integrity when pressure is real

Recognises an individual or team who demonstrated sound judgement, composure, and respect for others during periods of pressure, uncertainty, or challenge, contributing to a stable and sustainable work environment.

Highlights calm judgement, composure, and respect when others most need it.

Eligible for: Individual or team

This award recognises

  • Calm, reliable behaviour in difficult situations
  • Support for colleagues when it mattered
  • Prevention or de-escalation of issues
Nominate in this category
05

Delivery Excellence Award

Strategic

Intent translated into outcomes

Recognises an individual, team, or project that successfully translated intent, plans, or strategy into clear, measurable outcomes that delivered real value.

Celebrates delivery discipline that turns plans into visible, valuable results.

Eligible for: Individual, team, or project

This award recognises

  • Achievement of agreed outcomes
  • Effective management of risks, dependencies, and constraints
  • Demonstrated impact linked to priorities
Nominate in this category
06

Capability Builder Award

Long-term strength

Capability that keeps compounding

Recognises an individual or team who strengthened the branch's future capability by investing in others through mentoring, knowledge sharing, and improved ways of applying skills and expertise.

Recognises people who make the branch stronger by lifting others and sharing know-how.

Eligible for: Individual or team

This award recognises

  • Development of others through coaching or mentoring
  • Creation and sharing of reusable knowledge or tools
  • Building sustainable capability beyond immediate delivery
Nominate in this category

Choose the closest-fit category, then write to the evidence.

Each nomination should focus on one category only. Keep the evidence concise, specific, and grounded in outcomes or observable behaviours rather than broad praise.

Before you submit:

  • Check that the category fits the strongest evidence available.
  • Keep examples under the 100-word evidence limit.
  • Use specifics that an assessment panel can score consistently.
Nominations closed