Robert Dougherty 
The Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards celebrate the exemplary workplaces providing ex-serving veterans with the opportunity to thrive using the unique skills and abilities acquired during their time in uniform.
Winners for the ninth annual awards, themed “Success beyond service”, were announced last night at the Australian War Memorial, showcasing the outstanding contribution veterans make to Australian workplaces.
Conscia’s Project Executive, Nick Marcovich, was named 2026 Veteran Employee of the Year alongside Partner Employee of the Year Jacinta Matthews from M2T Solutions and Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year Allan Dundas from DEWC Services. Major Breakthroughs’ Kylie Bonnor was named Partner Entrepreneur of the Year, and Boeing Australia was named Best Veteran Employment Commitment Initiative.
The following were also announced as winners:
- Core Defence Australia was named Small Employer of the Year.
- M2T Solutions was named Medium Employer of the Year.
- Thales Australia was named Large Employer of the Year.
- Port Macquarie Hastings Council was named Best Regional Veteran Employment Initiative.
- Soldier On was named Champion of Veteran Employment 2026.
“I have the greatest respect for our veterans. Our veterans have served our country with courage and distinction. When they leave the Defence Force, they still have so much to offer,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“These awards recognise employers who are backing our veterans and recognising the skills and experience they bring to the workplace. Congratulations to the winners and finalists.”
The awards are a key initiative of the Australian government’s Veteran Employment Program, delivered by the Veteran and Family Wellbeing Agency, reflecting the agency’s focus on supporting veterans and families of veterans to thrive beyond service. More than 620 organisations have now signed up to the Veteran Employment Commitment program, up from just under 500 last year.
“It is great to see more and more workplaces right across the country sign up to the Veteran Employment Commitment,” Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Matt Keogh said.
“A good job in a supportive workplace can make all the difference for veterans navigating one of the most transformative periods of their lives as they transition out of the ADF.
“Well done to the winners and finalists in this year’s awards for all you do for the veteran community and example you’re providing to other workplaces.”
This article was originally published on Defence Connect.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?Make Cyber Daily a preferred news source on Google.