In 2003 the Australian PMI Council, a body made up of all the local PMI Chapters in Australia, moved to recognise the efforts of project managers and PMI members in Australia by creating the PMI Australian Professional Awards.
  
The four Awards presented in 2003 were:
 
PMI Australian Chapters Project Manager of the Year Award 
PMI Australian Chapters Project Manager of the Year Award was presented to recognise and honour one PMI Australia chapter member for outstanding contribution(s) to the development and advancement of the project management profession for the previous calendar year in Australia.

PMI Australian Chapters Outstanding Leadership Award 
PMI Australian Chapters Outstanding Leadership Award was presented to recognise and honour PMI members who have made sustained and significant contributions to the Project Management Institute and the project management profession for more than five years in Australia. 
This was the PMI Australian Chapters highest and most prestigious award.

PMI Australian Chapters Distinguished Contribution Award 
PMI Australian Chapters Distinguished Contribution Award was presented to recognise and honour a particularly significant achievement or sustained performance by an individual who contributes to the advancement of the project management profession or PMI in Australia.

PMI Australia Chapter President’s Special Achievement Award 
PMI Australia Chapter President’s Special Achievement Award was presented to recognise and honour contributions by an individual to PMI Australian chapter activities over the past and current year or to a single event. Individual Chapter Presidents will make this Award.