UK-born Michelle Yvonne Simmons, 50, and her team at the University of New South Wales created the world’s first transistor made from a single atom, the award announcement stated.

“Michelle is an evangelist for Australian scientific research and a role model to young scientists everywhere,” it said.

“Through her work she is naturally an inspiration for young women and a strong supporter of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”

Simmons’ goal is to build a quantum computer “able to solve problems in minutes which would otherwise take thousands of years,” with implications for drug design, artificial intelligence, and self-driving cars, it said.

Members of the public nominate people for the award whom they believe have made an extraordinary contribution to their community or nation, often inspiring others.

Shortlists are selected by panels at the state level before then being assessed by the board of the National Australia Day Council, a panel of people from a breadth of different fields appointed by the prime minister.

Former winners include Olympic champion Cathy Freeman (1998), actor Geoffrey Rush (2012), and domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty (2015).

Footballer Sam Kerr was named this year’s Young Australian of the Year for her work as an ambassador for all women’s sports.

The 24-year-old placed 10th in the FIFA female player of the year rankings in 2017.