Anzac Day Schools’ Award

The Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) is proud to host the Anzac Day Schools' Awards. This national competition recognises the work of students and teachers in schools and other educational settings. The purpose of the competition is for students to:

• engage actively with veterans or current-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members
• research content related to a theme in Australia's wartime history.

The theme for 2026 is 'Women in service'.

Entries close 5 pm AEST Thursday 28 May 2026.

Your entry will consist of 4 parts:

• engagement with veterans or current ADF members and your school group
• a project
• a bibliography
• a student group reflection.

Competition requirements

• The entry must be a collaboration of student work ranging from a club or activity group to a whole class, year level or whole school cohort.
• Each school is limited to one entry.
• If a school submits multiple entries, the judging panel will only assess the school's last submitted entry; earlier entries will be deleted.
• Your entry should be coordinated by a teacher or school leader.
• Your entry should be created during the dates of the competition opening and closing.
• Your entry should be original work.
• Your entry must consist of 4 parts.

Allow plenty of time to prepare, finalise and submit your online entry by the due date.

Look at a sample of last year's entries on the theme 'Remembering Gallipoli 110 Years'.

Awards and Prizes

• National School Award ($5,000)
• State and Territory School Awards ($3,000 each)
• Brigadier Bill Rolfe AO Award for Veteran Involvement ($2,000)
• Innovative Idea Award ($2,000)
• Diversity in Service Award ($2,000)
• Remote Schools Award ($2,000)
• Specialist Educational Settings Award ($2,000)

Winning entries are showcased on the Anzac Portal, including photos and a submission description.

Special category awards

• Brigadier Bill Rolfe AO Award for Veteran Involvement: An entry that includes significant and relevant involvement by veterans or current-serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
• Innovative Idea Award: Original and creative learning activities showcased in the project.
• Diversity in Service Award: The strongest entry that recognises diversity in the Australian veteran community or current-serving ADF personnel.
• Remote Schools Award: The strongest entry from a remote or very remote school, including the School of the Air or similar institutions.
• Specialist Educational Settings Award: The strongest entry from a school or other educational setting that provides specialist learning for young people. This could include Distance Education, Hospital schools, Scouts, Cadets, or specialist schools.
• Certificates of Excellence: We award a Certificate of Excellence to entries that meet one or more criteria to a high standard but do not receive a major prize.

Your school's Anzac Day service

Some schools incorporate the competition's annual theme into their Anzac Day service. This is one way of sharing the students' learning about 'Women in service'.

This Anzac Day, you could honour the extraordinary women who have served our nation in all wars and peace operations. Use this Anzac Day service template as an example of how the theme 'Women in service' could be adopted.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about the awards, please email education@dva.gov.au.