The New South Wales Australian of the Year Award is given annually on Australia Day. The award "offers an insight into Australian identity, reflecting the nation's evolving relationship with world, the role of sport in Australian culture, the impact of multiculturalism, and the special status of Australia's Indigenous people".[1]
The national level awards, four in total, are chosen exclusively from the state and territory award recipients.
The following is a list of the recipients of the New South Wales Australian of the Year award.[2]
| Year of award | Name | Post nominals | Born | Died | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1965 | Test Cricket Captain | ||||
| 2005 | 1967 | Actor & Producer | ||||
| 2006 | The Hon. | 1939 | High court judge & human rights advocate | |||
| 2007 | Professor | 1956 | Scientist, Writer and Thinker | |||
| 2008 | 1965 | Pioneering choreographer | ||||
| 2009 | 1970 | Cricketer and fundraiser | ||||
| 2010 | Environmental campaigner | |||||
| 2011 | 1969 | Indigenous rights lawyer | ||||
| 2012 | Father | Charity founder | ||||
| 2013 | 1942 | Media icon | ||||
| 2014 | 1980 | AFL player and community leader | ||||
| 2015 | 1955 | Child advocate and adoption campaigner | ||||
| 2016 | Social change innovator | |||||
| 2017 | Child soldier turned successful Lawyer | |||||
| 2018 | Professor | 1967 | Professor in quantum physics | |||
| 2019 | Professor | 1981 | Paralympian | |||
| 2020 | Professor | 1972 | Orthopaedic surgeon and human-rights advocate | |||
| 2021 | Commissioner | 1969 | Ex-NSW Fire Commissioner, leader of Resilience NSW |