AOC Australia Awards 2026
Celebrating Excellence in Electronic & Information Warfare
The AOC Australia Awards honour the individuals and teams shaping the future of Electronic Warfare (EW) and Information Warfare (IW). From pioneering research to operational breakthroughs, these awards recognise innovation, leadership, and excellence across the Australian Defence and industry community – proudly complementing the global AOC awards program.
A Stage Worthy of Your Achievements
Showcase your own – or a colleague’s – achievements in EW/IW for Defence and the Defence Industry during the qualifying period July 2024 to December 2025.
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Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner on 12 March 2026, held during EW ANZ 2026 – the Indo-Pacific’s premier forum for EW, Spectrum Operations, CEMA, and Information Operations.
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Set against the theme of Coalition Convergence, the event will bring together over 400 leaders and professionals from Defence, government, industry, and academia who celebrate excellence, fosters connection, and inspires the future of our profession.
Why Nominate?
Gain recognition across AOC Australia’s platforms and the wider Defence community
Showcase achievements to a national and international audience
Celebrate success at a prestigious gala attended by leaders and peers
No nomination fees – excellence should be accessible to all
How to Nominate
Nominations are open to all AOC Australia members and can be submitted by yourself or on behalf of a colleague. You’ll need:
Your chosen award category (full list and criteria below)
A 300-word summary of achievements
A current CV with references
A high-resolution portrait photograph
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If you’re nominating someone else, please let them know in advance. You can provide supporting documents yourself or we will follow up directly with the nominee.
Judging Process
All nominations are reviewed by the AOC Australia Awards Sub-Committee, with equal weighting given to:
CV & references – 50%
Description of achievements – 50%
What Happens Once I’m Nominated?
Finalists will be notified in February 2026.
All finalists and winners will be recognised at the AOC Australia Awards Gala Dinner on 12 March 2026. Gala attendance is included in all EW ANZ 2026 convention registrations.
If you’re not attending the convention, or if finalists wish to invite family and friends, separate tickets will be available for purchase. Ticket sales are not yet open – please keep an eye on our channels for updates.
Key Dates
Achievement Period: July 2024 – December 2025
Nomination Deadline: Friday, 31 October 2025 (with the possibility of extension to late January 2026 if necessary)
Finalist Notification: February 2026
Awards Gala: Thursday, 12 March 2026 – National Convention Centre Canberra
Take the Stage. Inspire the Future.
Award Categories
1. Ross Treharne Shield - Outstanding Achievement in EW
This shield, in memory of Ross Treharne, is presented to the individual who, in the opinion of the Chapter, deserves recognition for an outstanding achievement in the field of electronic warfare in Australia. The recipient must be an AOC Australia individual or corporate member and must demonstrate significant contributions to advancing electronic warfare capabilities or operations through innovative approaches, exceptional leadership, or groundbreaking research.
2. Outstanding Achievement in Cyber Warfare
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This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in the field of cyber warfare over the previous calendar year. The applicant must demonstrate exceptional skills and accomplishments in developing or enhancing cyber warfare strategies, successfully leading cyber operations, or making significant advancements in cyber defence technologies.
3. Outstanding Achievement in Information Operations
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This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in the field of information operations. The applicant must provide evidence of impactful contributions to information operations, such as developing effective information strategies, executing successful operations, or innovating within the field to support defence objectives.
4. Excellence in Defence Information Warfare Award
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This award recognizes members of the Australian Defence Force (military or Defence Civilian) for their contribution to Information Warfare capability or operations. Members nominated for this award must have demonstrated notable contributions to their field of practice, including improving operational capabilities, leading significant projects, or achieving remarkable results in information warfare missions.
5. 6. 7. 8. Industry Achievement Award (Army, Navy, Air Force, APS)
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This award recognizes serving members and Defence civilians for their contribution to Information Warfare capability or operations. Members nominated for this award must have demonstrated notable contributions to their field of practice within their specific category (Army, Navy, Air Force, and APS). Applicants should highlight significant achievements, leadership in critical projects, or advancements in information warfare technologies or strategies.
9. IW Business Award
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This award is presented annually to an industry organization that has made an exceptional contribution to Australia's Information Warfare capability. Nominees for this award must be corporate members of AOC Australia and should demonstrate significant impact through innovative solutions, successful implementation of information warfare technologies, or substantial contributions to national defence information capabilities.
10. Science and Technology Achievement Award
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This award is presented annually to an individual from the academic or research communities in recognition of a significant contribution to the Information Warfare body of knowledge. The recipient of this award should be able to demonstrate significant research achievements, development of innovative technologies, or substantial advancements in theoretical or applied information warfare.
11. AOC Australia Early Career Award
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This award is given to an AOC Australia member under the age of 30 to recognize early career achievement. The applicant must show exceptional promise and accomplishments in their field, including innovative work, leadership in projects, or significant contributions to electronic warfare, cyber warfare, or information operations early in their career.
12. AOC Australia Information Warfare Essay Winner
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AOC Australia hosts an annual essay competition to engage with individual members and to generate discussion on important topics within the community. The winner of this competition will receive $500 AUD, a 3-year membership to AOC, and the opportunity to present their paper at the next AOC Australia convention. Applicants must submit an insightful and well-researched essay on a relevant topic, demonstrating critical thinking, originality, and potential impact on the field of information warfare.
Global Association of Old Crows Awards
The global Association of Old Crows (AOC) also runs a distinguished awards program, open to Australian members for nomination. These awards span a variety of categories, including the prestigious Prestige Awards, Community Awards, and Chapter Awards, recognising excellence across the global EW and IW community.
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Australian nominations for the Chapter Flow Up Awards are submitted through AOC Australia and include key categories such as:
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Academic and Educational Excellence Award
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Outstanding Chapter Support Award
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Military Unit or Military Individual Excellence Award
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Want to know more about the awards criteria or how to nominate? Explore the full details in the AOC Global Awards Program.
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