Volunteers, athletes and community stalwarts are recognised each year during the annual celebrations which are less than three months away.

"We are looking for nominations of local people and groups who have made an important contribution to our community," Griffith City Council's Australia Day working group chairwoman Councillor Christine Stead said.

"Maybe they have been an outstanding representative of Griffith, volunteered their time, perhaps their work helps others or they have developed environmental initiatives.

"Griffith is extremely fortunate to have many locals who consistently go above and beyond and nominating them for an Australia Day Award is a good way to make sure their efforts are acknowledged."

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There have been some changes to the award categories this year following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Award categories include Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Environmental Citizen of the Year, Young Environmental Citizen of the Year and Project of the Year.

"The Junior and Young Citizen of the Year Awards have been combined to the Young Citizen of the Year, and we have introduced the Young Environmental Citizen of the Year," Cr Stead said.

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Nominees for the Young Citizen awards need to be aged under 25 years old as at January 26 next year.

"I urge everyone to think about nominating deserving people so we can show them how much we appreciate their efforts," Cr Stead said.

Nomination forms are available online from griffith.nsw.gov.au/australiaday, nominations will close at midnight on December 6.

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