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About the Award 

The Award is a leading structured (non-formal education) youth development program, empowering all young Australians aged 14-24 to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world, regardless of their location or circumstance. 

The Award is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political, or religious affiliations.  How is an Award Achieved? To achieve an Award, each young person must learn a skill, improve their physical well being, volunteer in their community and experience a team adventure in a new environment. All Participants are supported by a network of adult Award Leaders, Assessors, and Supervisors.  

The key elements of our program are:  

Open to all young people aged 14 to 24. 

Three levels:

Bronze, Silver, and Gold – each progressively more challenging. 

Four Sections: 

Physical Recreation, Skills, Voluntary Service, Adventurous Journey plus Gold Residential Project (Gold Level only). 

Achieving an Award recognises individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement. 

Time requirements: 

Bronze – minimum 6 months 

Silver – minimum 6 months if completed Bronze otherwise 12 months for direct entrants 

Gold – minimum 12 months if completed Silver otherwise 18 months for direct entrants 

What impact does the Award have on a young person? 

Through this challenging journey of self-discovery, our Participants:  

Are equipped and empowered to achieve their personal best Learn to take responsibility for their goals and choices 

Become connected to and actively engaged within their immediate community 

Make a real difference to society through their positive contributions and involvement 

Learn to persevere and overcome barriers to success 

Learn important life skills Increase their career opportunities. 

A longstanding global network 

Today more than 130 countries have adopted The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award program with over 8 million young people having participated worldwide.  

Locally over 775,000 young people have participated in the Award in Australia in the past 58 years, with on average 40,000 very diverse participants annually working towards achieving an Award.  

The Fundamentals of the Award Regular participation in activities is required to meet the time requirements of each Award Section and Level. Focuses on capacity building by encouraging all young Australians to make independent decisions and to negotiate priorities through participation. Provides a framework that works with all young people in any conceivable situation. This includes youth at risk, Indigenous youth, new refugees, marginalised youth, young people in regional and remote communities, and young people with disabilities. Assists with the provision of social infrastructure in the community and draws together and connects people, institutions and generations with the common purpose of youth development and inclusion.