The Elizabeth O'Neill Journalism Award commemorates the distinguished career of Elizabeth O'Neill OAM, who died in service of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Indonesia on 7 March 2007. The award builds on her tireless work to foster mutual understanding of Australia and Indonesia through accurate and informed media coverage.
The Elizabeth O'Neill Journalism Award is awarded to one journalist from Indonesia and one journalist from Australia each year. The award is open to high-achieving journalists from print, radio, television and online media organisations at any stage of their career.
Call for applications open
Applications for the 2026 Elizabeth O'Neill Journalism Award are now open.
To apply, email the Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII) Secretariat at ausindonesia.institute@dfat.gov.au with:
- an expression of interest of no more than 300 words
- a curriculum vitae (CV) of no more than 2 pages.
Applications must be received by 5 pm AEDT on Monday 26 October 2026.
Your expression of interest should clearly outline your areas of professional interest and explain why you are the best candidate for the award.
If you have any questions, contact the AII Secretariat at ausindonesia.institute@dfat.gov.au.
Successful awardees are expected to be notified in late November 2026.
About the program
Indonesian and Australian recipients of the Elizabeth O'Neill Journalism Award spend up to two weeks in Australia and Indonesia, respectively, on a fully funded program coordinated by the Australia-Indonesia Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and supported by the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. Programs for successful candidates are developed to build a stronger understanding and appreciation of the broad range of issues facing contemporary Indonesia and Australia. The program will take place in 2027, and dates will be determined based on negotiation with the Awardees.
Programs are tailored to the journalist's area of expertise and reporting responsibilities in areas such as foreign and trade policy, development assistance, and education with engagements organised by DFAT. They include a stay in the host country's capital city (Jakarta/Canberra), with visits to at least one other province/state/territory in the country visited.
The program may include engagements with:
- local media organisations, both commercial and government-owned
- academic institutions, including those with specialist journalism and communications programs
- media industry regulators and peak body organisations
- government and parliamentary officials and ministers (where possible)
- leading representatives of civil society and non-governmental organisations
- any others that may be of interest to the applicant.
Award conditions
The award covers:
- international airfares and domestic transfers from the participant's home city
- accommodation, internal transport, vaccinations, visas, travel insurance and other allowances.
The award does not cover the cost of travel for dependents, interpreters, camerapersons or other technical support people, additional baggage or other airline offerings. Successful applicants must have a valid passport with at least six months' validity from date of departure.