If you have been feeling overwhelmed by the endless cycle of negative news, a heartwarming new national initiative is here to restore your faith in humanity. The nationwide search for Australia’s Kindest Person is officially underway, and it is already proving that compassion, generosity, and community spirit are thriving across the country.
Run by the Australian charity HumanKind, the campaign has already received more than 4,000 nominations, shining a much-needed spotlight on the everyday Australians who quietly make a profound difference in the lives of others.
A spotlight on selfless acts
HumanKind was founded with a simple yet powerful mission: to restore faith in humanity’s kindness by celebrating the people who make our world a little better every single day. According to HumanKind Founder and CEO Angela Williams, the sheer volume and quality of the nominations have revealed extraordinary acts of goodwill occurring in every corner of the nation.
“The stories we’ve received are proof that kindness exists in every corner of our country,” Williams said. “These are people who don’t seek recognition; they simply see a need and choose to help.”
One particularly moving nomination highlights a man who channelled his personal heartbreak into hope for his community. After caring for his mother as she lived with dementia, he began knitting sensory aids and comfort items for others facing the same diagnosis. What started as a deeply personal act of love has blossomed into a mission that brings dignity, connection, and comfort to hundreds of families.
Big rewards for doing good
To properly honour these unsung heroes, the ultimate winner of the search will receive a life-changing $50,000 prize package. This includes $25,000 awarded directly to the winner and an additional $25,000 donated to a charity of their choosing.
The grand announcement will take place on World Kindness Day, November 13, 2026, during a special gala event hosted at Dreamworld. Television personality Osher Günsberg will host the proceedings, which will also feature a live performance by The Voice winner Tarryn Stokes.
Five categories of kindness
To ensure all types of good deeds are recognised, the awards are split into five distinct categories. Each category is championed by respected Australians known for their own remarkable commitment to helping others:
- Kindness Close to Home, represented by parenting coach Lael Stone
- Kindness in the Community, represented by kindness influencer Samuel Weidenhofer
- Kindness in Work & Leadership, represented by Olympian Libby Trickett OAM
- Kindness to Strangers, represented by inspirational parents Leila and Danny Abdallah
- Kindness in the Regions, represented by Men’s Indigenous mental health advocate Joe Williams
A judging panel will soon review the submissions to select 15 finalists, whose uplifting stories will be shared with the Australian public in the lead-up to the November event.
With nominations closing on June 30, 2026, there is still time to highlight a generous soul in your life. To nominate someone whose kindness deserves national recognition, visit australiaskindestperson.com.au.
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