With the permission of family, this information includes the name of an Aboriginal person who has passed.
2025 Victorian Early Years Awards
This year we celebrate 20 years of the Victorian Early Years Awards, and the leadership, achievements and innovation of all early years professionals who continue to make a difference to the lives of Victorian children and their families.
The 9 award categories focus on improving engagement in learning, supporting parents, building collaborative community partnerships, improving child health and wellbeing, exemplary practice in early childhood education, leadership and significant improvement in learning and teaching practices.
Winners are recognised as the best in Victoria for their category and go on to develop and share their inspiring work with their communities.
Winners of each category will receive a grant of $15,000 for professional development or to support their nominated initiative. The finalists in each category are also eligible to win the prestigious Minister’s Award, selected by the Minister for Children.
Key dates
- Nominations open: Monday 5 May 2025
- Nomination writing support webinar: Tuesday 20 May 2025
- Nomination writing support available from: Monday 5 May – Monday 9 June 2025
- Nomination close: 5pm Thursday 12 June 2025
- Finalists announced: late August 2025
- Winners announced: Thursday 6 November 20025
Key links
Victorian Early Years Awards nomination guide
The Nomination Guide outlines category eligibility, selection criteria, the nomination process, free nomination writing support available, resources and more.
Victorian Early Years Awards Terms and Conditions
The Awards celebrate leadership, outstanding achievement, exceptional dedication and innovation in improving outcomes for children aged birth to eight years and their families.
Winners of the 2024 Victorian Early Years Awards
The 2024 winners were selected from 27 finalists from the early years sector across Victoria.
Victorian Early Years Awards honour roll
Previous winners from 2006-2023
Promotional material
Targeted promotional materials have been developed to encourage engagement from across the diverse audiences eligible to be recognised through VEYA. Download the flyer most relevant to your network.
- A4 VEYA Flyer – early childhood service / approved providers (PDF, 460KB)
- A4 VEYA Flyer – early childhood intervention / disability (PDF, 465KB)
- A4 VEYA Flyer – broad early years sector (PDF, 459KB)
- A3 VEYA Poster - general (PDF, 461KB)
- Signature block – Nominations now open (PNG, 137KB)
- Social media tile - Nominations now open (PNG, 527KB)
- Social media tile - Nominations closing soon (PNG, 518KB)
Further information
If you have any queries in regard to the Victorian Early Years Awards please email early.years.awards@education.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window).
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