Award overview
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award has three Levels (Bronze, Silver & Gold), each successive one requiring a greater degree of commitment.
You get to design your own program by:
- selecting activities that interest you
- setting your own goals for each activity and endeavouring to achieve them
"For people who already take part in community service and have a range of skills or for people wishing to step out of their comfort zone, Duke of Ed is a brillant platform." Gold Awardee
Who is eligible for the Gold Award*?
Anyone between 16-25 years (even if you have not completed the Bronze or Silver levels)
* You are also eligible to undertake the The Bronze and/or Silver Awards
Award sections
To get an award, participants must complete one activity for each of the following award sections:
- Physical Recreation - get out there and get sweating! Dancing, adventure sports, ball sports, martial arts, the list goes on.
- Service - choose your area of interest in the community, such as youth work, the environment or charity work, to name a few.
- Skill - anything from playing in a band to fashion design to film and video making. You decide.
- Adventurous Journey - journey into an unfamiliar environment with a group and challenge yourself.
- Residential Project (Gold level only) - broaden your experience through involvement with others in a residential setting.
Tailor The Award to suit you
Career
Know where you want to go? For your Award, you can choose specific career directed activities to add value to you in your chosen field.
Recreation
Get recognition for hobbies and activities that you already enjoy. Try something new though The Award. Get involved!
Balance
Have specific career aspirations but enjoy recreational activities too? Use the Award to add value to your career and get recognised for your interests.
top of pageThe Gold Award
To achieve the Gold Award participants must complete the following minimum requirements:
| Section | Period |
| Physical Recreation | 12 months |
| Service | 12 months |
| Skill | 12 months |
| Adventurous Journey | 4 days and 3 nights |
| Residential Project | 5 days and 4 nights |
Important notes:
- Participants who have not achieved the Silver Award must undertake an additional six months in either Physical Recreation, Service or Skill.
- These are minimum requirements and are expressed in whole months, during which there should be regular commitment averaging at least one hour per week. Award participants are encouraged to continue their activities beyond the minimum time.
- Satisfactory completion of the Adventurous Journey section includes preparation and training appropriate for the journey being undertaken and at least one practice journey of equivalent standard.
- The Bronze and Silver Awards have shorter minimum time requirements and do not have the Residential Project requisite.
Assessors
For each area of your Award, you will need someone to assess your commitment and achievements. These people work with you to complete your Record Book and achieve your award. Your Award Coordinator may help you recognise and organise appropriate assessors.
For more information about the Award requirements see your Award Coordinator or visit The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Australia website.
Award benefits
"The Award has given more structure and purpose to all the endeavours I have taken outside an academic arena. It has helped me discover my passion for trying new things, seeking new challenges and helping others along the way." Gold Awardee
The Award is:
- Internationally recognised;
- Provides a structure for you to achieve a breadth of experience;
- Demonstrates your valuable attributes to prospective employers, scholarship bodies and other application processes;
- Officially recognises activities you are already involved in; and
- Is fun!
The Award opens doors.....
Awardees are often invited to attend international forums such as;
- Voices for the Future for APEC: "Bridging the development gap" APEC 2008, Peru
- The International Gold Event: held triennially - IGE 2008, Kenya
- The International Award Forum: 10th Annual IAF 2009, Sydney
What do you get out of it?
Like so many things, you get out of it what you put in. For example, if you really want to be in a band, you can use the skills section to focus on learning an instrument and for service you could volunteer at a community arts centre. At the end of the program, not only could you get an Award, but you could also be well on the way to playing in a band for real.
Some of the greatest rewards include:
- Achieving something for yourself
- Becoming more confident
- Getting new skills
- Having some great experiences
- Making new friends
- Meeting people from around the world.....not to mention having a lot of fun in the process!
More information about the Award is available at The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Australia website.