Internal Talent Awards 2025 : Celebrating Excellence

The Internal Talent Awards 2025 (ITAs) lit up the Plaza Ballroom in Melbourne, bringing together the best and brightest from across Australia and New Zealand’s talent acquisition community. The ITAs are a highlight on the HR and recruitment calendar, and this year’s event was no exception – full of energy, innovation, and celebration of recruitment excellence.

A Big Night for Tassie

It was particularly exciting to see so many Tasmanian nominees and finalists represented at the ITAs 2025 Melbourne. A big congratulations to Tassie girls for bringing home gold in separate categories. 

• Kylie Cashion (TasNetworks ) -winning Corporate Talent Leader of the Year (joint with Reegan Kerkin – Oceana Gold)
• Sarah Kean (TasNetworks ) – winning Corporate Talent Professional of the Year

The presence of so many talented professionals from our state is a testament to the growing strength, creativity, and impact of Tassie’s talent acquisition community. Having colleagues not only nominated but also shortlisted shows the incredible calibre of work being delivered locally.

Recognising HR and Recruitment Innovation

The Internal Talent Awards celebrate individuals, teams, and organisations driving innovation in talent management and HR technology. From strategies that elevate the candidate experience to creative approaches to employer branding and attraction, the awards shine a spotlight on those shaping the future of recruitment.

It was an absolute privilege to review such inspiring entries

As a judge again this year, it was an absolute privilege to review such inspiring entries. The level of creativity, commitment, and results being achieved is truly raising the bar across the industry.

What stood out most to me in the 2025 ITAs submissions was the clear emphasis on candidate experience and diversity. Many organisations are now embedding people-first practices that improve not only efficiency but also fairness, inclusivity, and engagement.

It was also inspiring to see how teams are leveraging HR innovation and recruitment technology – not just for cost optimisation and automation, but to enable recruiters and hiring managers to focus on what matters most: building meaningful human connections.

These trends highlight how much our industry has evolved. Talent acquisition is no longer just about filling roles quickly – it’s about creating transparent, engaging processes that deliver value for candidates, hiring managers, and organisations alike.

Congratulations to the Winners

A heartfelt congratulations to all the Internal Talent Awards 2025 winners, finalists, and nominees. Whether you walked away with a trophy or not, being recognised on this national stage is an achievement to be proud of.

You can view the full list of winners here: #ITAs2025 - Won and Done!

Thanks to the Organisers

A big thank you to Craig Watson, Lauren Sharp, and Bonnie Crook for their tireless work in delivering such a seamless and inspiring event year after year. The Internal Talent Awards continue to grow in influence, thanks to their vision and passion for elevating our profession.

Looking Ahead

The Internal Talent Awards 2025 not only celebrate excellence but also highlight the future of talent acquisition: inclusive hiring practices, innovative technology, and world-class candidate experiences. Congratulations again to everyone involved – you are raising the standard for what great recruitment looks like.

Here are some highlights from the night below – and don’t forget to check out the official winners’ page for the full list of achievements.

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