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The Gold Coast Student Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding students whose achievements reflect the culture of excellence, innovation and ambition that defines our city.
GALA AWARDS NIGHT
Join us for the Gold Coast Student Excellence Awards Gala - a night dedicated to recognising the outstanding achievements, passion and impact of the city’s next generation of leaders.
Held at the iconic HOTA, Home of the Arts, the Gala will bring together nominees, students, educators, industry leaders and the Gold Coast’s education community for an unforgettable evening of celebration, connection and inspiration.
Dress to impress and celebrate the remarkable students who are shaping the future of the Gold Coast.
Thursday, 12 November 2026
5:30pm – 9:30pm
Lakeside Terrace, HOTA (Home of the Arts)
135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
Tickets are on sale now!
NOMINATIONS NOW CLOSED
2026 NOMINATIONS NOW CLOSED
Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination! We can’t wait to celebrate the Gold Coast’s brightest minds, leaders, and changemakers across six award categories spanning innovation, diversity, community, sport, environment and the arts.
Best of luck to all nominees - and don't miss your chance to join the celebration!
CATEGORIES
Shine a light on Gold Coast students achieving excellence, innovation and impact.
#1 Entrepreneurship
#2 Research
#3 Community Leadership
#4 Diversity & Inclusion
#5 Health & Wellness
#6 Arts & Culture
#7 Environmental Sustainability
#8 Global Citizenship & International Impact
All shortlisted nominees will be celebrated at the Gala Awards Night, with category winners receiving a $1,000 prize.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
To be eligible for nomination, nominees must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be an international or domestic student
- Enrolled at a registered education provider on the Gold Coast between January and December 2026, or have graduated from a Gold Coast education provider between January 2026 and the nomination submission date.
- Applicants must reside within the City of Gold Coast local government area
- Open to students from high school through to tertiary education, with no upper age limit
- Students may self nominate
2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Don’t take our word for it. Check out last year’s highlights.
2025 Award Winners
View the 2025 Student Excellence Award Winners
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.