2026 marks half a century of honouring the community-led NAIDOC Week events.
The official theme, “50 Years of Deadly” celebrates the strength, resilience, leadership, achievements, cultures, histories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginals and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Originating from the single committee responsible for the national event established back in 1975. NAIDOC Week runs across the second full week in July, this year 5-12 July.
Across the Australian Public Service agencies and departments have engaged in the celebrations and cultural events. This including the annual APS NAIDOC Touch Football Carnival in Canberra. This years’ winners, the Australian Defence Force have secured a second-year victory in a 2-1 score against the Department of Defence’s APS team. This event is one of Australia’s largest APS events with 33 agencies taking part in the 2026 NAIDOC celebrations through sport, teamwork and connection.
The Australian Public Service Commission held its annual NAIDOC Awards on 8 July to celebrate and recognise the contributions of employees supporting First Nations outcomes. The three award categories promote a sense of pride and empowerment, complementing the great work the Commission does to enhance diversity and inclusion. These awards provide an opportunity to reflect on the work being delivered across the Commission to support reconciliation and self-determination, strengthen cultural capability and continue to build genuine partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.