NT Young Australian of the Year Jaiden Dickenson charged with aggravated assault
An 18-year-old hailed as a "beacon of hope" for youth now faces court over allegedly assaulting a woman relative just weeks after his major award. Read the details.
The Northern Territory’s Young Australian of the Year has requested to be withdrawn from national recognition after reports emerged he had been chargd with aggravated assault.
The charges, initially reported by The Australian on Wednesday, come less than a month after Jaiden Dickenson, 18, received his prestigious award.
Responding to questions from the NT News, the National Australia Day Council said Mr Dickenson had requested to withdraw from the national selection process for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards.
The NADC declined to say under what circumstances recipients could be stripped of their awards, and whether the runner-up for the NT Young Australian of the Year would receive the award if Mr Dickenson was to be stripped of his award.
“As this matter is currently subject to legal proceedings, the National Australia Day Council will not be providing further comment at this time, and will act in accordance with the NADC Withdrawal of Award Policy available on our website,” the NADC told the NT News.
Mr Dickenson was charged with two counts of aggravated assault for allegedly assaulting a female relative last week, The Australian reported.
Police said the woman did not require medical attention.
He was arrested on the night of November 21 at a home in Tennant Creek, and was bailed to appear in Tennant Creek Local Court on January 13, 2026.
NT Police confirmed the incident on Thursday, but declined to reveal the man’s identity.
Mr Dickenson, a Warumungu man, was crowned the Young Australian of the Year for the NT on November 3.
The four NT recipients were initially supposed to join recipients from the other states and territories for the national awards to be announced on January 25, 2026, however the NDAC declined to say if anyone would stand in Mr Dickenson’s place.
The Australian of the Year Awards' official website described Mr Dickenson as a “beacon of hope and resilience for young people”.
“In his role as a Tennant Creek Mob Youth Diversion Officer, 18-year-old Jaiden helps young people address the trauma at the root of crime and social disorder by taking responsibility for their behaviour, overcoming their personal challenges and moving towards rehabilitation,” the website wrote.
“Jaiden’s approach is grounded in empathy, cultural understanding and the belief that every young person needs someone to believe in them. His work has led to a significant reduction in the number of youth reoffending and supported engagement in more positive pathways.
“In mentoring young people, Jaiden’s influence has created a ripple effect, empowering other young people to also take up roles as mentors within the Tennant Creek Mob.”
After receiving his award, Mr Dickenson told the National Indigenous Times children in his community looked up to him.
“Most of the kids in the community are looking up to me and they keep saying I want to be like that, I want to be like Jaiden,” he told NIT.
“They always say to me I am going to just be like you Jaiden, just go find a job and live a better life than sitting around at home.”
He told NITV he was “trying my best to teach [children] … to let them know that they’ve got a second chance at life, to live a better life”, adding “now I’ve got connections, everyone will know me, now I can talk to everyone around Australia”.
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Originally published as NT Young Australian of the Year Jaiden Dickenson charged with aggravated assault
