Australian of the Year 2026 is Katherine Bennell-Pegg, 41, becoming the first Australian to train under the country's flag and to graduate from the European Space Agency astronaut program.

Bennell-Pegg volunteers with West Beach Surf Life Saving Club and became an Air Force reservist in December 2024, reflecting contributions beyond spaceflight.

Inspired by Australian-origin astronauts, she expressed emotion at receiving the blue flight suit with the Australian flag, signaling Australia’s leadership in human space exploration.

The 2026 lineup includes other notable nominees such as a brain cancer fundraiser who founded The Brain Cancer Centre, a mental health advocate tackling gaming disorder, and a mobile health innovator.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Neale Daniher MND Clinical Network to improve access to clinical trials, treatment, and care for motor neurone disease.

Professor Rose McGready has three decades of healthcare work for displaced people on the Thailand-Myanmar border and contributed to WHO-adopted global maternal malaria treatment standards.

Mitchell highlighted creating over 70 Aboriginal upskilling roles, 30 electrical apprenticeships, and more than $11 million in Indigenous subcontractor payments, advocating culturally safe workplaces.

The awards celebrate local heroes and young Australians making social impact, including community volunteers improving health, education, and welfare.

Dr Felix Ho ASM works across remote Northern Territory communities and mentors youth in first aid, underlining a focus on rural health resilience.

Bennell-Pegg paid tribute to Bondi attack victims and underscored global collaboration and shared responsibility in science and exploration.

Brodaty emphasized lifestyle interventions to prevent dementia and ongoing research like the Maintain Your Brain trial, noting progress from stigma to science.

Nedd Brockmann was named Young Australian of the Year 2026 for his homelessness charity run that has raised substantial funds and continues his Uncomfortable Challenge.