Long Tan Leadership + Teamwork Awards

The ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Awards started in 2006 to recognise students who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader local community. At the same time, they recognise those who display strong values, such as doing one’s best, respect for others and “mateship” ,characteristics that are integral to Australian society.

The awards are an important initiative by the Australian Government in conjunction with the Australian Defence Force designed to encourage senior students – tomorrow’s leaders – to actively participate in the life of their schools and local communities. In 2007 some 2100 schools participated in the awards and almost 5400 students received certificates and cheques. The number of schools participating is over 2350 today with almost 6000 students being recognised.

Guidelines | Privacy Policy

The ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Awards recognise students who demonstrate leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader community and who display strong values, such as doing one's best, respect for others and "mateship", that are integral to Australian society.

The establishment of the ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Awards is an important initiative by the Australian Government designed to encourage senior students, tomorrow's leaders, to actively participate in the life of their schools and their local communities.

The Awards are open to all schools in Australia with students enrolled in years 10, 11 or 12.

Awards winners must be enrolled in the school nominating the winner for the year in which the award is presented. Awards winners must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia.

Separate awards (a cheque plus a certificate) will be made for each of the year groups.

Participation in the awards is purely voluntary and is at the discretion of the individual school principal. The ADF will invite schools to participate in March or April each year.

School principals will select and nominate the award winners for their school.

School principals can use their discretion in choosing the method of selecting the award winners.

The ADF will provide selection criteria for the guidance of school principals.

Awards are expected to be presented at school Speech Nights or another appropriate school assembly.

The names of award winners will be made available to local media in conjunction with the presentations.

As recognition of the Australian Government's funding of the awards, schools are asked to provide an opportunity for the Minister of Defence or his representative to attend the presentation ceremony. Invitations should be forwarded to the Minister's office once the date of the presentation ceremony is known. The local federal member may also be invited to attend the presentation ceremony.

School principals are asked to promote the ADF Long Tan Awards within their school and to the local community, acknowledging the assistance of the Australian Government in funding the awards.

Download the Guidelines as a PDF:

Award Guidelines