FinTech Australia opens entries for 2026 Finnie Awards
FinTech Australia has opened entries for the 2026 Finnie Awards and refreshed several categories for the programme's tenth year.
The industry body said the awards will recognise excellence across 22 categories. It set the ceremony for Thursday, 18 June 2026 at ILUMINA, a venue in Sydney's central business district.
The awards cover areas that include payments, lending, open finance, AI, WEB3, green fintech, insurtech, regtech, and wealth management. FinTech Australia said the programme recognises both companies and individuals.
Category changes
FinTech Australia made changes to reflect shifts in the local market. The Excellence in Business Lending and Excellence in Consumer Lending awards will run as separate categories again.
The organisation also shifted the event location for 2026. It said ILUMINA sits in Sydney's CBD.
Rehan D'Almeida, Chief Executive Officer, FinTech Australia, described the tenth year as a milestone for the local sector.
"Over the past decade, the Finnies have grown alongside the ecosystem they celebrate - from early-stage disruptors challenging incumbents through to global players exporting Australian fintech capability to the world. The 2026 Finnies will shine a light on just how sophisticated and diverse Australian fintech has become," said Rehan D'Almeida, Chief Executive Officer, FinTech Australia.
D'Almeida also pointed to themes he said now feature more prominently across the sector.
"More than ever, we're seeing fintechs tackling hard problems - from financial inclusion and small business access to credit through to sustainable finance, AI-driven innovation and new applications of open banking," said D'Almeida.
He said the awards also act as a gathering point for the industry.
"The Finnies are about recognising this work, but also about bringing the ecosystem together in one room to share ideas, celebrate wins and set the tone for the future of fintech in Australia. It also serves as a crucial platform to showcase the value of advocating for policy change that benefits consumers and businesses," said D'Almeida.
Entry terms
FinTech Australia said entry is free for financial members of the organisation. Members can also nominate another organisation or individual at no cost. Non-members will pay per entry, with fees set out in an entry fee structure on the Finnies website.
The category list spans workplace and community recognition awards, leadership awards, and product and technology themes. Categories include Best Workplace Diversity and Giving Back to the Fintech Community Award. The programme also includes Emerging FinTech Leader of the Year for those under 35, Female FinTech Leader of the Year, and Outstanding FinTech Leader of the Year.
Business expansion and partnerships also sit on the list. FinTech Australia included Excellence in Establishing Global Market Presence and Excellence in Industry Collaboration & Partnerships, with single and multiple partnership entries.
Lending categories include Excellence in Business Lending and Excellence in Consumer Lending. Payments categories include Best Innovation in Payments, which also covers remittance and foreign exchange.
Technology-focused awards include Best Innovation in Open Banking and Open Finance, Most Innovative Application of AI in Finance, and Excellence in WEB3, which covers blockchain or crypto. Other categories include Excellence in Insurtech, Excellence in Regtech, and Excellence in Wealth Management, which includes personal financial management and robo offerings.
The programme also includes categories tied to impact and sustainability. These include Positive Impact Award and Excellence in Green Fintech or Sustainability Initiatives.
The list also includes Most Innovative Fintech Product or Service and Excellence for Provision of FinTech Support Services. Company-level awards include Emerging FinTech Organisation of the Year, which is limited to firms under two years old, and FinTech Organisation of the Year.
FinTech Australia describes itself as a not-for-profit peak industry body. It said it represents more than 400 fintech companies and startups nationwide.
The organisation set out a timeline that runs from entries opening through to the awards night, with finalists announced ahead of the June ceremony.