Culture and Community: The Culture and Community category honours significant impact in the creative fields or through work in community advocacy initiatives, building people to people links and promoting cultural diversity. 

Business: The Business category honours leaders in business engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship that has created a positive impact in trade and investment relations between Australia and Asia. 

Research and Education: The research and education category honours individuals for their outstanding contributions in groundbreaking research, advancing knowledge, and fostering learning excellence. 

Gen A Emerging Leader: The Gen A Emerging Leader category honours individuals between the ages of 18-35 who have made significant contributions in the sphere of Australia-Asia affairs. This category draws upon Asia Society Australia’s professional development program, Generation Asia, that empowers the next generation of Asia-engaged leaders. 

1. What are the assessment criteria for nominees? 

The applications will be judged based on three core values to be an Asia Game Changer: 

• Impact: Outstanding individuals who are making a positive impact in Australia’s relationship with Asia and/or the Asian Australian community. 

• Innovation: Recognising individuals who challenge conventions, pioneer new ideas, and reshape their industries through bold, transformative action. 

• Australia-Asia Relations: Honouring those who have played a pivotal role in deepening engagement and advancing stronger relationships between Australia and the region. 

2. What are the eligibility criteria? 

To be eligible for an award, nominees must: 

• Be individuals. Organisations cannot be nominated. 

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or currently residing in Australia. Australian citizens/permanent residents living overseas are also encouraged to apply. 

• Be available to attend the gala dinner in Melbourne on the evening of 7 November 2025.

• Have a proven track record or demonstrate exceptional skills, talent, or achievements in the relevant field. 

• Nominations are open to all individuals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, and cultural background. 

• Nominees in the Gen A Emerging Leader category must meet the age criteria of 18-35 years. 

3. Does the nominee need to be based in Melbourne? 

No. Melbourne Asia Game Changer Awards is a national initiative. The nomination campaign is open across Australia and the region. 

Should the nominee be shortlisted as a finalist, they should be available to attend the awards night in Melbourne in November. Travel support will be provided to finalists based out of Melbourne. 

4. What is the selection process? 

An independent selection committee will evaluate each eligible nomination and rank the applications. Asia Society Australia will collate the votes from the members of the committee in selecting the top 3 finalist and winners for each category.

5. When will I know if I have been selected as a finalist? 

Candidates will be contacted around October via email. 

6. I have applied before but did not win. Can I apply again? 

Yes, we encourage you to nominate yourself again this year. Recent experience and achievements of nominees will be prioritised during the selection process.  

7. Can I apply for multiple categories at once?

Yes. You can submit separate applications to be considered for different categories. Make sure you address how you fit the category specifically in your nomination form. 

• Award: Honoured as Melbourne Asia Game Changer recipient.
• Membership: One-year complimentary individual membership with Asia Society Australia valued at $800 excl. GST.
• Profile: Opportunity to profile your work, projects or vision to a receptive and motivated public audience, government and business community.
• Engagement: Potential opportunities as a speaker or participant in future programs with Asia Society Australia.
• Opportunities: Pathway to getting nominated for prominent initiatives including Asia 21 Next Generation Fellowship.
• Recognition:  Acknowledged as part of an impressive pool of previous global Asia Game Changer Awardees. 

The Melbourne Asia Game Changer Awards initiative showcases under-recognised and inspirational individuals who are making a positive contribution to Australia’s relationship with Asia, particularly from Australia's Asian communities.

The initiative brings greater acknowledgement to the unsung heroes who are driving the momentum of Australia-Asia relations and positively impacting the community through their innovative and dynamic leadership. Nominations for the Melbourne Asia Game Changers are drawn from the Asia Society Australia network and beyond, embarking process of feedback and voting that results in the final awardees. A special Icon Award is presented to a notable Asian-Australian personality who their actions or example highlights Australia's contemporary identity and is regarded as an inspirational leader in their field.

The program is run annually, with a nominations campaign in the first half of the year, and culminating in an end-of-year awards ceremony to celebrate and recognise the winners, as well as Melbourne and Australia's continuing relationships with Asia. The event features notable Asian Australian identities, cultural performances and iconic cuisine from the region.

The program draws on the highly successful Asia Game Changer Awards by Asia Society New York. The Asia Game Changer Awards, launched in 2014, are designed to fill a vital gap, identifying, and honouring true leaders who are making a positive contribution to the future of Asia-Australia relations.