This award recognises initiatives that have delivered meaningful impact within the APS or improved outcomes for Australians through demonstrated data leadership or building data capability.   

It highlights the use of strategy, governance or discovery that maximises the value of data and celebrates the importance of strengthening data capability.  

Your nomination should demonstrate how your data initiative has supported one or more of the following:   

• Improved APS or public data literacy through education, training or data competency frameworks  
• Use of data in public policy or program evaluation  
• Fostering data-driven cultures  
• Enabling organisations to uplift capability, innovate or achieve strategic goals  

Your nomination must clearly articulate the impact and measurable benefits delivered.  

Entrant’s guide 

Focus: Demonstrating impactful leadership and strengthening data capability to deliver better outcomes. 

Example areas include: 

• Data strategy, governance or discovery that maximises value 
• Building and embedding data literacy and capability frameworks 
• Using data in public policy or program evaluation 
• Driving cultural change towards evidence-based decision making 

Example Projects: 

• Leading a cross-agency initiative to improve data literacy through training programs 
• Embedding data governance that improved consistency and trust in data use 
• Establishing a mentoring framework to uplift APS data capability 

Best for: Leaders and teams who inspire, guide and build the APS’s ability to use data effectively.