AIPIO Awards for Excellence in the Intelligence Profession

Nominations open 1^st of February 2026 to 30^th June 2026

 

These prestigious awards aim to recognise individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and contributions to the intelligence profession in Australia.

This year, we are seeking nominations across four categories:

• The AIPIO “Intelligence Professional of the Year” - This award aims to recognise an individual who has made a significant and commendable contribution to the intelligence profession in Australia, specifically acknowledging an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, or other notable achievements within the intelligence profession

• AIPIO Emerging Intelligence Professional (EIP) Award – This award aims to recognise and celebrate excellence among emerging professionals across various intelligence sectors, acknowledging outstanding contributions over the preceding 12 months.

• The AIPIO “Intelligence Group of the Year” - This award is designed to recognise a group that has demonstrated exceptional performance or innovation in the intelligence profession. This award aims to acknowledge outstanding achievements, thought leadership, and the introduction of revolutionary practices within the intelligence profession. 

• The AIPIO “Intelligence Publication” Award – This award is designed to recognise excellence in research, and writing, on issues relevant to the intelligence profession in Australasia.

We encourage all professionals in the intelligence field to participate in this esteemed recognition process. Nominations can be submitted by colleagues, supervisors, or self-nominations. Finalists will be selected based on their outstanding achievements and contributions to the profession. The AIPIO Board will only issue awards where nominations are of the highest standard and there will only be one award for each category.

We would like to thank our Awards Sponsor, for their support in bringing these awards to life. 

For more information about the AIPIO Awards for Excellence in the Intelligence Profession, please contact engagement@aipio.asn.au .

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David Irvine AO Memorial Award

• Instituted by the AIPIO Board in 2023, the David Irvine AO Memorial Award is an annual recognition dedicated to honouring an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the intelligence progression in Australia.
• The AIPIO Board will select the successful recipient
• The distinguished recipient of the David Irvine AO Memorial Award will receive:

1. A unique David Irvine AO memorial Trophy
2. $5,000 grant to encourage ongoing innovation and contribution to the intelligence profession.

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The AIPIO President’s Award for Outstanding Contribution

• The AIPIO President’s Award recognises profound contribution to the intelligence profession through service, commitment, leadership and advocacy.
• This Award is given solely at the discretion of the AIPIO President.
• The AIPIO Presidents Award for Outstanding Contribution recipient will receive:

1. An AIPIO trophy
2. A framed citation

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Key Dates

• Nominations are open from 2nd of February 2026 to 30^th June 2026.
• Nominations forms must be submitted via the online nomiation links.
• Supporting materilas for the Publicaton Award (including a copy of the paper) may be emailed to the Engagements team at: engagement@aipio.asn.au.
• The AIPIO team will notify award nominees shortly after, with awards to be presented during the AIPIO National Conference.
• No serving AIPIO Board Member is eligible to receive an award

 

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2025 AIPIO Awards Winners

David Irvine AO Memorial Award Winner Dr Brenton Cooper		The AIPIO Intelligence Professional of the Year Tara Clague		The AIPIO Emerging Intelligence Professional of the Year Sam Woods
The AIPIO Intelligence Group of the Year CI-ISAC Australia		Highly Commended Intel Group of the Year DICE Team – Queensland Police		Intelligence Publication of the Year "Counterterrorism Analytics - Predicting to Prevent the Next Attack" Augusto Verzosa
AIPIO Presidents Award Neil Quarmby

 

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2024 AIPIO Awards Winners

David Irvine AO Memorial Award winner
Hayley Van Loon

The AIPIO Intelligence Professional of the Year
Rachael King

The AIPIO Emerging Intelligence Professional of the Year
Simeng Yuan

Highly Commended Emerging Intelligence Professional of the Year
Owain Holmes

The AIPIO Intelligence Group of the Year
Tactical and Operational Intelligence Section, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Finalists for the AIPIO Intelligence Group of the Year
Criminal Groups Intelligence Unit / Raptor Intelligence Unit, NSW Police Force

Finalists for the AIPIO Intelligence Group of the Year
Intelligence Team, Royal Automobile Club of Queensland

 

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2023 AIPIO Awards Winners

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2022 AIPIO Awards Winners