2026 Young Australian of the Year Nedd Brockmann

Congratulations to Nedd Brockmann from New South Wales for being named the national 2026 Young Australian of the Year.

Nedd Brockmann captured national attention in 2022 when the then 23‑year‑old electrician from Forbes ran from Perth’s Cottesloe Beach to Sydney’s Bondi Beach to shine a spotlight on the complexities of homelessness in Australia. 

Completing the 3,952‑kilometre run in just 46 days, Brockmann raised $2.6 million for homelessness causes. 

Building on that impact, he launched Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge in 2024, which has since raised more than $8 million to support people experiencing homelessness.

His commitment and dedication highlight how young Australians are willing and able to go above and beyond to make a real difference.

He was chosen as this year’s Young Australian from an impressive field of state and territory recipients who are all contributing in their own meaningful ways. 

Congratulations to all the incredibly worthy finalists.  Each of them is a fantastic leader who has shown initiative to help others and contribute to their community.  

Sita Sargeant founded a historical tourism company, She Shapes History, in the Australian Capital Territory, showcasing a passion for storytelling through walking tours, digital content, and partnerships with cultural institutions and historic sites. Through her work, Sita reveals how women’s contributions have been ignored by mainstream history and aims to change this by helping Australians experience a richer, more inclusive understanding of the nation’s identity. 

Jarib Branfield-Bradshaw knows what it’s like to live in a quiet town where there’s not a lot for young people to do outside the home. Jarib established a neighbourhood centre in Cunnamulla, Queensland, and is showing young people their stories matter, as is having a place where they can be themselves and receive the support they need to manage complex and traumatic situations in their lives.

Chloe Wyatt-Jasper is an advocate for greater support for young people in South Australia experiencing mental health issues. Chloe’s advocacy led her to be selected to take part in the South Australian Teen Parliament, where she successfully lobbied South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas for $5 million. Chloe also supports Backpacks 4 SA Kids, which helps survivors of domestic violence by donating backpacks with essential items such as clothes and toiletries.

Alyssia Kennedy works with schools and youth groups in Tasmania to give young people the tools they need to transition to adulthood. Alyssiafounded the Life After School program, an educational package to help bridge the gap between school education and life knowledge. Alyssia was chosen as a 2025 ABC Trailblazer for her program, which recognises innovative solutions for young people in regional Australia.

Abraham Kuol is a respected youth leader who uses his knowledge of the police and justice system in Victoria to help young people in his community. Recognising the important role that sport plays in engaging young people, Abraham co-founded the Black Rhinos, a soccer and basketball club to help mentor at-risk youth. Abraham has helped raise over $3.5 million for programs to support African-Australian families and justice-involved youth.

Dr Haseeb Riaz and Gareth Shanthikumar from Western Australia established MAN UP to help young men strengthen their mental health, communicate openly and build pathways to healthier lives. Haseeb and Gareth address the root causes of poor mental health and gender-based violence, equipping boys with tools for self-awareness and empathy. Together, they’ve reached thousands of students and have built partnerships with educators, community leaders and mental health advocates across Australia.    

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Youth, Jess Walsh: 

“A huge congratulations to Nedd, and to all the national nominees. 

“It’s inspiring to see Nedd taking real action to make impactful change, along with the other wonderful young nominees.

“I enjoyed meeting these inspirational young people and seeing their work recognised on the national stage.

“It’s great to see such an impressive field of nominees and recipients, with so many young people making a vital contribution to this country.

“I look forward to seeing how each and every one of them continues to inspire all Australians in the months and years to come.”