AHRC president Catherine Branson QC said the extension would enable people to finalise their nominations and give extra time for those who may have left things to the last minute.

"The medals and awards ceremony is the one day of the year that Australia gets to celebrate the importance of protecting human rights in Australia," Branson said.

Nominations can be made for the Human Rights Medal and Young People's Human Rights Medal, with an additional seven award categories covering law, community (organisation), community (individual), literature (non-fiction), print media, television and radio.

The winner of the 2009 Law Award, Gregory McIntyre SC, who won for his efforts in advancing human rights through the practice of law, said he would encourage lawyers around Australia to nominate for the Award and Medal.

"Receiving a Human Rights Law Award helped reinforce that the work I had been doing over a long time was actually making a contribution to the human rights of others," McIntyre said.

"I was pleased to be nominated by my peers for the award and would encourage lawyers' organisations around Australia to nominate lawyers whom you know are deserving of some recognition for their human rights work."

The Commission's website contains further information on the award ceremony and judging criteria.

Winners will be presented with their medals and awards at a ceremony to be held on Human Rights Day on 10 December 2010 at the Sheraton on the Park Hotel in Sydney.