| Predecessor: | National Australia Day Committee |
| Formation: | (incorporated) |
| Type: | Social enterprise |
| Headquarters: | Old Parliament House, Canberra |
| Leader Title: | Chair |
| Leader Name: | John Foreman (musician)[1] |
| Leader Title2: | CEO |
| Leader Name2: | Mark Fraser AO CVO[2] |
| Affiliations: | Australia Day National Network |
| National Australia Day Council | |
| Abbreviation: | NADC |
| Location: | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Region: | Australia |
| Owner: | Australian Government |
| Parent Organisation: | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |
| Budget Year: | 2020 |
| Revenue Year: | 2020 |
| Staff: | 12 |
| Staff Year: | 2020 |
The National Australia Day Council (NADC) is a non-profit social enterprise owned by the Australian Government and is the national coordinating body for the Australian of the Year awards and Australia Day. It was established in 1979 and incorporated as a government-owned business in 1990.
Australian Natives' Association was one of the chief promoters of Australia Day as a national holiday, and in 1946 formed an Australia Day Celebrations Committee in Melbourne to formalise its efforts. Similar bodies emerged in other states, and a Federal Australia Day Council (FADC) was formed to coordinate their efforts. In 1979, with the FADC's agreement, the organisation was replaced by a government-sponsored National Australia Day Committee.[3] The committee was initially headed by former Olympian Herb Elliott.[4] In 1985, it was renamed the National Australia Day Council, with former tennis player John Newcombe as president.[5] The organisation became an incorporated public company in 1990.[3]
The NADC heads a network of state and territory Australia Day affiliate organisations and local Australia Day committees and is designed to inspire national pride and spirit, and to enrich the life of all Australians. It aims to promote the meaning of Australia Day through activity, education, reflection, discussion and debate and to promote good citizenship, values and achievement by recognising excellence and service to the nation.[6]
The NADC is housed at Old Parliament House, Canberra. The current chair is John Foreman (musician), and the chief executive officer is Mark Fraser AO CVO.[7]
The following individuals have served as Chair of the National Australia Day Council:
| Chairs of the National Australia Day Council | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chair name | Term | |
| 19901992 | ||
| 19921996 | ||
| 19962000 | ||
| 20002008 | ||
| 20082014 | ||
| 20142017 | ||
| 20172023 | ||
| John Foreman (musician)[8] | 2023present | |