Australia Day

The National Australia Day Council (NADC) is a not-for-profit, government-owned company based in Canberra. With the NADC, the Australia Day National Network (the Network), an affiliate group of state and territory organisations, helps facilitate the celebration of Australia Day and being Australian, and recognise inspirational Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards.

Strategic focus areas for the NADC are:

• Meaning: To promote the meaning of Australia Day and being Australian

• Participation: To unite all Australians through celebration and reflection

• Recognition: To acknowledge active citizenship and achievement

The operations of the company are overseen by a board of Directors appointed by the Prime Minister. The NADC is generously supported by the Australian Government through the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

The National Australia Day Council Board

• John Foreman OAM GAICD (Chair)

• Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian AO (Deputy Chair)

• Jody Broun

• Mrs Nikki Govan

• Mr Bao Hoang

• Dr Robert Isaacs AM

• Ms Alison Page

• Dr Boglarka Remenyi

• Mr Richard Rolfe AM 

• Ms Denita Wawn GAICD

The Australia Day National Network

The Australia Day National Network is made up of hundreds of local councils and committees, eight state and territory Australia Day organisations and the NADC. The network's mission is to inspire national pride and spirit to enrich the life of the nation.

The NADC provides an overarching vision for Australia Day and this vision is implemented and tailored to each state and territory through the expert local knowledge of the state and territory organisations. Town and regional councils or committees, with the support of state and territory Australia Day councils, deliver the thousands of celebrations and events for our national day.

Contact your state or territory Australia Day organisation 

Australia Day 2022

For some, Australia Day is a day to celebrate all the opportunities provided by living in a free, multicultural society. For others, it’s a chance to reflect on their own citizenship and what it means to be Australian. And for many, 26 January represents a day of sadness, mourning and reminder of colonisation.

In 2022, the NADC approved grants funding to 534 councils and not-for-profit community organisations for events on Australia Day. The Australia Day 2022 Community Grants Program exceeded the inaugural 2021 program in both the value of grants awarded and the number of events supported, demonstrating a strong desire for grassroots community Australia Day events in cities and regions around Australia.

Read the Australia Day 2022 Report 

The NADC and reconciliation

While acknowledging there is much more to do, the NADC is proud of making a contribution to reconciliation. The NADC have developed, and are committed to a Reconciliation Action Plan, an initiative of Reconciliation Australia which enables organisations to turn good intentions into actions.

NADC thanks the staff of Reconciliation Australia for helping us appreciate the importance of Reconciliation. With their support, we take pride in our leadership role and hope others will join us in making a contribution to the process. 

Read the NADC 2022 -2023  Reflect RAP

NADC Corporate Plan

Section 95 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) requires Commonwealth controlled companies such as the National Australia Day Council (NADC) to prepare a four year corporate plan.

This Corporate Plan clearly articulates the purpose, functions and role of the NADC and associated financial projections, performance measures, risks and operational environment.  

View or download the NADC Corporate Plan

Statement of Expectations

The following Statement of Expectations was provided by The Hon Ben Morton MP, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, provided the Statement of Expectations to the NADC on 27 May 2020. The NADC Board provided their Response to Statement of Expectations on 27 July 2020 outlining how NADC will meet these expectations.

View or download the NADC Statement of Expectations

View or download the NADC Statement of Expectations Response

Finance Audit and Risk Management Committee

The Performance and Accountability Act 2013 requires Commonwealth companies such as the National Australia Day Council (NADC) to have an audit committee.  The Finance Audit and Risk Management Committee Charter sets out the purpose, functions and role of the Committee.  

View or download the NADC Finance Audit and Risk Management Committee Charter

Public Interest Disclosures

The National Australia Day Council (NADC) is committed to the highest standards of ethical and accountable conduct and is subject to the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 (Cth) (PID Act).

Read more on NADC's Public Interest Disclosures