The Gold Coast Student Excellence Awards are proudly presented by Experience Gold Coast.
The annual awards recognise and celebrate outstanding students in six different categories and acknowledge the positive impact they’ve made within our community.
This year’s gala awards night will be held at HOTA (Home of the Arts) and nominees, fellow students and the Gold Coast’s education industry will be encouraged to glam up for a Jungle Soiree. We’ll start with sunset canapes on the terrace then move indoors for a plated dinner and the awards ceremony.
Event details:
Event Details
Date: Thursday, November 20th, 2025
Time: 5.30 - 9.30pm
Venue: Lakeside Terrace at HOTA (Home of the Arts), 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
Theme: Jungle Soiree
Dress code: Formal cocktail attire with a jungle inspired twist – think lush greens and a hint of animal print!
Date: Thursday, November 20th, 2025
Time: 5.30 - 9.30pm
Venue: Lakeside Terrace at HOTA (Home of the Arts), 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
Theme: Jungle Soiree
Dress code: Formal cocktail attire with a jungle inspired twist – think lush greens and a hint of animal print!
Awards Categories:
1. Excellence in Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Recognises a current Gold Coast student who has demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and innovative business acumen through a groundbreaking project, start up or enterprise.
2. Excellence in Community & Peer Support: Recognises a current Gold Coast student who has a positive impact on their community and supports their peers through volunteering, work experience or other social initiatives.
3. Excellence in Championing Diversity: Recognises a current Gold Coast student who has advocated for and championed the values of diversity within our community.
4. Excellence in Promoting Sports & Wellness: Recognises a current Gold Coast student who has contributed significant time, skills, knowledge and passion to promote sport and wellness within our community.
5. Excellence in Fostering Creative Arts: Recognises a current Gold Coast student who is dedicated to their creative practice, supports art-based initiatives or acts as a champion to our vibrant arts community.
6. Excellence in Protecting Our Environment: Recognises a current Gold Coast student who has engaged in initiatives that promote sustainable practices or create awareness of environmental issues.
Award winners in each category will receive $1,000, along with a personalised trophy and a certificate of appreciation.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Nominee must have been an international or a domestic student between January 2025 – December 2025 OR Nominee must have graduated between January 2025 and the nomination submission date.
- Nominee must have been a student at a registered education provider on the Gold Coast.
- Nominee must be a person of good repute and character (application will ask for personal or professional references)
- Nominee must be living on the Gold Coast
Awards Assessment Process:
- Nominations are assessed by a panel comprising of one Experience Gold Coast staff member, one industry representative and an alumni Mayor’s Student Ambassador.
- Your nomination will be assessed based on your online submission and responses to the below questions.
- Opening Statement ( up to 100 words) – This is an opportunity to introduce the nominee and clearly establish the relevancy and alignment of their candidature to the nominated category.
- Demonstrated Experience or Contribution (up to 200 words) – This is an opportunity to clearly demonstrate the work or impact the nominee has made by drawing on experiences that are relevant to the nominated category.
- Evidence (maximum 2 uploads)– This is an opportunity to support the nomination by providing relevant evidence in form of a certificate, photograph, video, news article, academic paper, or reference letters.
- Reference – This is an opportunity to further validate and support the nomination by providing a highly relevant reference of someone who can vouch for and is highly familiar with the nominee.
Nominations Open – Wednesday, 24 September, 09:00AM
Nominations Close – Monday, 20 October, 09:00 (No late applicants will be accepted)
Under 18 Parent Consent Form
If the nominee is under 18 years old please download the below consent form. You will be required to upload a completed copy to the application form
If the nominee is under 18 years old please download the below consent form. You will be required to upload a completed copy to the application form