Two doctors favourites for Australian of the Year

The leading candidates to be crowned Australian of the Year on Sunday are in the medical profession - just like Dr Richard Harris and vet Dr Craig Challen, who received the award after helping save the lives of 12 young boys and their coach in a Thai cave.

Pioneering South Australian eye surgeon Dr James Muecke and former refugee, human rights advocate and orthopaedic surgeon Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis are the two people considered most likely to receive the honour.

Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis in his operating room in 2014.Credit: Tim Bauer

Dr Muecke, the South Australian founder of eye health charity Sight for All, is the bookies' favourite with Dr Al Muderis just behind.

"This is the first time we've seen two closely priced nominations and two potential winners with a hair's breadth between them," TAB spokesman Gerard Daffy said.

Dr Al Muderis, who was named NSW Australian of the Year, was born and began his medical career in Iraq under the dictatorship of President Saddam Hussein. He fled after being ordered to mutilate military deserters' ears and travelled to Australia by boat in 1999.

After months in immigration detention, Dr Al Muderis was recognised as a refugee and released. He restarted his surgical career, going on to specialise in hip and knee work, as well as becoming the patron of the Asylum Seekers Centre.

In particular, Dr Al Muderis is known for a technique in which titanium pins are inserted into amputees' bones to connect with their prostheses, allowing them a much greater range of motion and less discomfort than traditional connective methods.

The Australian of the Year is selected by the board of the National Australia Day Council from each state and territory's Australian of the Year winner.

Those candidates also include Indigenous campaigner and acclaimed musician Archie Roach from Victoria; Dr Jess Melbourne-Thomas, an Antarctic and climate researcher from Tasmania; Perth philanthropist Annie Fogarty and Queensland youth charity founder Rachel Downie.

The Northern Territory's Dr Geoffrey Thompson, a flying doctor and chief medical officer of Australian Paralympic Committee, and ACT women's rugby pioneer Katrina Fanning are on the list, too.

The selection criteria for the Australian of the Year are making a "significant contribution" to and being an "inspirational role model for" the Australian community as well as "demonstrated excellence in their field".

To ensure the awards, which have historically been male-dominated, are representative of the community, the selection panel is also allowed to consider candidates' gender, age, location, ethnicity, and field of endeavour.

Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero will all also be awarded on Sunday, along with the other Australia Day honours.