Awards & recognition
Victoria University’s awards reflect the work we value most: supporting students and staff wellbeing, strengthening community and industry partnerships, leading in sustainability, and improving how education is delivered.
These awards show that VU is growing with purpose: adapting, listening and improving the experiences for our students, staff and partners. They highlight the people who keep VU moving forward … and the momentum building with them.
Read about recent achievements that highlight this work across our University.
Global recognition
QS Reimagining Education Awards
Silver Award (global award)
The QS Awards are one of the world’s most prestigious competitions for educational innovation, attracting over 1,600 submissions and judged by 1,300 international experts.
VU received Silver for thrive*, our co-designed and evidence-informed approach that strengthens mental health, physical wellbeing, belonging and engagement across the University.
Sustainability leadership
Australasian Green Gown Awards – Circular Economy
Winner: Green Trench project
The Green Gown Awards recognise sector-leading sustainability initiatives across Australia and New Zealand.
VU’s Green Trench project received the Circular Economy Award for transforming how construction materials are reused across major campus developments. By diverting large volumes of material from landfill and reintegrating them into trench backfill, the project reduces waste, lowers emissions and models responsible, future-focused infrastructure development.
National professional excellence
ATEM Awards for Excellence (three national wins)
Excellence in People & Culture
Winner: Thrive*
thrive* received the Excellence in People & Culture Award for delivering a contemporary wellbeing model that measurably improves staff mental health, physical wellbeing, belonging and workplace culture. With more than 700 sessions delivered in its first year and over 85% positive wellbeing impact, the program demonstrates strong organisational leadership in employee experience.
Excellence in Digital Innovation
Winner: Speed to offer
Speed to Offer received the Excellence in Digital Innovation Award for redesigning VU’s admissions experience to dramatically reduce turnaround times and improve communication clarity for prospective students. Led by Student Administration Services, the project demonstrated leadership in service redesign and strengthened the transition into study for thousands of learners.
Excellence in Leadership
Winnder: Flipped Campus
Flipped Campus, devised and led by VU’s Major Partnerships team, received the Excellence in Leadership Award for pioneering a sector-leading model that integrates industry partners, wellbeing services and academic support on campus. The team demonstrated sustained leadership by coordinating complex partnerships, reshaping service access for students, and setting a new benchmark for partnership-driven campus design in Australia.
Wellbeing & student experience awards
Student Experience Network Awards – Award of Distinction
Best welfare & wellbeing initiative: thrive*
thrive* also received an Award of Distinction for its impact on student wellbeing, participation and belonging. The recognition highlights the strength of VU’s student experience and the University’s commitment to ensuring learners feel supported, connected and able to succeed.
Communications impact
Future Campus Awards 2025 – Best Communications Campaign
Winner: Childcare Deserts
Childcare Deserts won the 2025 Future Campus Award for Best Communications Campaign – a national recognition celebrating excellence in higher-education marketing, engagement and outreach. The campaign attracted industry-wide attention for raising awareness about childcare access in underserved areas, leveraging data, storytelling and advocacy to drive conversation and policy awareness.
This win highlights VU’s commitment not only to academic excellence but also to social impact – using research and communication to bring attention to critical issues affecting families and communities across Australia.
Digital & service innovation
CIO50 Australia Awards 2025 – Culture & Inclusion
Winner: Digital & Campus Services
Our Digital & Campus Services team was recognised at the CIO50 Australia Awards, one of the country’s leading honours for digital leadership and innovation. The team received the Culture & Inclusion Award for creating an inclusive, people-centred digital environment and strengthening the University’s capability through collaborative, service-focused technology delivery.
Learnx awards 2025
Five platinum awards: VU Online
VU Online received five Platinum LearnX Awards, recognising excellence in digital learning and student support, including:
- Best Online Learning Model (five consecutive years)
- Best Customer Experience Team
- Best Customer Experience Training
- Best eLearning Design – Simulation
These awards highlight VU’s strong capability in online delivery and learner support.
Education & training
Victorian Tourism Awards 2025
Bronze (education & training): School for the Visitor Economy
VU’s School for the Visitor Economy was awarded Bronze in the 2025 Victorian Tourism Awards, in the Education and Training category. The award recognises excellence in tourism education, including innovation in teaching, strong industry engagement and the quality of student experience. The Victorian Tourism Awards are the state’s leading program for acknowledging excellence across the tourism and events sector.
International Block & Intensive Learning & Teaching Association (IBILTA) awards
Outstanding pedagogical research
VU staff John Weldon and Loretta Konjarski received an IBILTA Award for “Outstanding Pedagogical Research”, and John Weldon also received an award for “Outstanding Contribution.”
