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Applications for the 2024 Awards Program have now closed. Winners will be announced at FAAA Congress Gala Dinner on 28 November.
University Student of the Year Award
Open to current FAAA Student members, who are enrolled in a financial planning related course in a tertiary institution or equivalent, who have demonstrated outstanding achievements and commitment to their studies and shown dedication to the financial planning profession and the FAAA Community. The award is open to current FAAA student members.
Proudly sponsored by
Nominations close in
Please note that once you have nominated a peer for an Award they will be notified by the FAAA and directed to complete their application by Sunday 3 August. Nominees will only be considered once their application has been received.
Award Eligibility
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- You must be a current FAAA Student member.
- You must be studying an approved financial planning degree or completing a financial planning major within an approved finance, business, or commerce degree, or have graduated from that degree within 3 months of submitting the application.
- A 2024 FAAA award winner is unable to apply in the same category again in 2025.
- 2025 Award judges cannot apply for an award category in 2025.
- Current FAAA Board Directors cannot participate in the FAAA Awards process. This includes staff employed by and Practices owned by current Directors, where the Board Director is the owner of the Business or Practice Principal.
- Former Board Directors are unable to participate for at least one year after retiring from the Board. This includes staff of former Directors, who are also not eligible for at least one year following the Director’s retirement date, if the Board Director is the owner of the Business or Practice Principal.
Applicants must be available for the Awards Showcase (Tuesday 14 & Wednesday 15 October)
Finalists must be in attendance at the Gala Dinner (Wednesday 19 November)
Award Acknowledgement
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Prizes
All finalists:
- Trophy
- Complimentary ticket to attend the 2025 Gala Dinner
- Complimentary ticket to attend the 2025 VIP event prior to the Gala Dinner
Winner only:
- Complimentary FAAA membership in FY27
- Complimentary attendance to the 2026 FAAA Congress
- $1000 voucher towards airfares and accommodation to attend the 2026 FAAA Congress
- Complimentary ticket to attend the 2026 VIP event prior to the Gala Dinner as the outgoing winner for that award
Marketing and Events
- Press opportunities with a wide range of key industry media partners covering the 2025 program
- Social media coverage to a dedicated following of over 25,000 followers
- Opportunities to present at FAAA Events (depending on the agenda, winners may be eligible to present as part of the FAAA Roadshow and/or via targeted webinars/podcasts to specialist communities)
- Opportunities to present at award partner events and webinars (partners may also offer other opportunities directly)
- Personalised email signature and icon to be used in personal marketing (for winners and finalists)
- Finalist video reel to be used in personal marketing and played during the Gala Dinner
Showcase
- Economy airfares and accommodation (in Sydney) to attend the FAAA Awards Finalist Showcase (travel organised by the FAAA)
- Finalist Showcase Dinner
Costs related to travel and accommodation are non-transferable.
2024 Winner
Applying for the award was a leap outside my comfort zone - one that pushed me to reflect on my journey, my purpose, and my hopes for the future of financial advice in Australia. Being named the 2024 winner was an incredible honour and a moment of deep pride. This recognition isn't just about academic performance; it's about passion, resilience, and the drive to make a meaningful impact. As a mature-age student, a parent, and someone based in regional Australia, I hope my story encourages others to pursue their goals—no matter their background or where they're starting from.
FAQs
- For any further queries please contact us at awards@faaa.au
Do I have to be an FAAA Member?
Yes, to nominate or apply you must be an FAAA member and have renewed for the FY26 membership year.
Am I eligible to apply for the 2025 Awards if I have been a finalist in the past?
Previous finalists may apply for the award, however the maximum number of consecutive applications from finalists is two in two years for the same award. 2024 Award winners are unable to apply for the same category again.
Will attachments supporting my application be considered?
You are encouraged to submit relevant supporting documents including videos, client testimonials, and references to bring your application to life (up to 3 supporting documents). These can be submitted as part of your online application.
Can I submit extra supporting materials to improve my chances?
No, the judges will only review the supporting documentation requested as part of the Application process (up to 3). Please do not send additional documentation.
Do I have to be nominated by someone else to enter the award?
No, although members can nominate their peers until Tuesday 15 July, being nominated is not required. We encourage members to submit an application whether nominated or not.
What do I need to submit to enter the award?
You’ll need to complete the Application form for your nominated award through our award submission software portal (Judgify), which also includes a short video submission, and upload the required documents specific to that award (e.g redacted Compliance / Advice Audit report that has been prepared by a compliance professional and a Redacted Statement of Advice (SOA), where the advice must have been presented in 2024 or 2025).
Is there a cost to enter?
No, entry is free.
Is my application confidential?
All entry submissions are kept in the strictest confidence. Judges are required to keep your entry submission and details confidential and will not disclose any details to anyone outside the judging process. At the conclusion of judging all submissions will be securely destroyed.
Will my application be returned to me after judging?
Your entries will not be returned to you.
How will l be advised of the progress of my nomination?
The top 3 finalists will be announced on Tuesday 23 September.
Am I required to be at the finalist’s interviews and showcase?
The top 3 finalists will be required to participate in an interview with the judging panel as part of the finalist showcase, either virtually or in-person on Tuesday 14 & Wednesday 15 October. The format of the interview (virtual or face to face) will be at the discretion of the FAAA.
What costs will the FAAA cover for finalists if a finalist needs to travel?
If you are a finalist in an award category that requires a face to face interview, the FAAA will cover:
Either return economy class airfare from the closest major domestic airport to Sydney on the airline of the FAAA’s choosing, including transfer costs from/to Sydney airport and Sydney CBD OR
Reasonable travel costs/parking for any finalists within driving distance of the FAAA’s Clarence St, Sydney office AND
Overnight accommodation with breakfast at a hotel of FAAA’s choosing AND
The Showcase dinner for the finalists in each category AND
VIP drinks and the Gala Dinner attendance for the finalists in each category.
When is the winner announced?
The winner will be announced at the Award ceremony during the Gala Dinner at the 2025 Congress on Wednesday 19 November.
What constitutes “an external comprehensive Compliance Audit Report”?
You are required to submit an audit report conducted by a compliance professional external to your business, which also includes a review of initial and/or review-related advice. An audit report that only covers a review of the advice file (i.e. confirmation of required documents are on file) will not be deemed as comprehensive. The audit must be dated after 1 January 2024. Please ensure the compliance report is redacted to remove all client names and/or personally identifiable information for anyone other than the applicant and the auditor.
What qualifies as a Compliance / Advice Audit report prepared by a compliance professional?
If your AFS Licensee has fewer than 6 advisers registered as ‘current’ with ASIC (i.e. 5 and under), we recommend submitting a compliance / advice audit report that has been prepared by an external / third party compliance service provider.
If your AFS Licensee has 6+ advisers registered as ‘current’ with ASIC, you are able to submit an internal compliance advice audit report that has been prepared by a dedicated compliance professional employed by your AFS Licensee.
Note: If you are submitting an application under the Professional Practice of the Year award, and you are self-licensed, the AFSL audit report must have been completed by a third-party external to your practice to be considered.
If not self-licensed, please contact us at awards@faaa.au for more information.
What opportunities will the winners have in 2026?
Where there is an award sponsor, there may be opportunities for you to speak at events organised by that sponsor in the following year.
The FAAA frequently invites award winners to speak as part of the FAAA Roadshow series or provides opportunities to participate in our virtual CPD program (webinars etc). Past winners may also have the opportunity to judge the awards in the year following their win for the same category (at the invitation and discretion of the FAAA).
Am I required to attend Congress 2025?
All finalists are required to attend the Gala Dinner at Congress on Wednesday 19 November.
Will I receive personalised feedback on my application?
No, due to the volume received judges are unable to comment on individual applications.
