Know someone making a meaningful and inspiring contribution to science? Now’s your chance to recognise their achievements and share their story with the nation.
Nominations are open until 18 December 2025.
Introduction
The Prime Minister and the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science announced the 2025 recipients on 3 November 2025.
The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science recognises demonstrated achievements by Australians in the fields of:
- scientific research
- research-based innovation
- practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems
- science teaching.
Learn about the prize recipients
Watch the event highlights
Show transcript
[Music plays and an image appears of the Australian Government Coat of Arms on the bottom right, the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science medallion on the left, and text appears alongside: The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science 2025]
[Image changes to show The Hon Anthony Albanese MP talking at a podium, and then images flash through of prize winners working and smiling at the camera, and the medallion and text appears: The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia]
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP: Well, it is a privilege to be with you all tonight celebrating the extraordinary achievements of the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science.
[Image changes to show Rae Johnston talking at the podium, and then images flash through of various prize winners and their colleagues at work and smiling at the camera, and the medallion and text appears: Rae Johnston, MC]
Rae Johnston: It's honouring Australia's leading researchers, innovators, trailblazers.
[Image changes to show Anthony talking at the podium again, and then images move through to show various rear and profile views of Prof Michael Wear walking on the beach]
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP: For the first time, the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science includes the inaugural prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems.
[Image changes to show Aunty Violet Sheridan talking at the podium, and then the image changes to show a close view of one of the projects, and the medallion and text appears Aunty Violet Sheridan, Senior Ngunnawal Elder]
Aunty Violet Sheridan: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia's first scientists. We have been scientists, innovators and teachers for over 65,000 years.
[Images flash through to show various prize winners at work, and then the image changes to show The Hon Tim Ayres talking at the podium, and the medallion and text appears: The Hon Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science]
The Hon Tim Ayres: All of tonight's recipients are making their own significant contributions to Australian science, drawing on different scientific disciplines and driving uniquely Australian achievements that really matter.
[Images move through to show views of Tim with various prize winners, various prize winners at work, and then Anthony presenting a medallion to a female prize winner]
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP: You add to what and who we are, and you expand the realm of what is possible.
[Image changes to show the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science medallion on the left, the Australian Government Coat of Arms on the bottom right, and text appears in the centre: 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science]