His work has been hailed as the scientific equivalent to the moon landing and now Alan Mackay-Sim wants to use his new title as Australian of the Year to put science on the national agenda.

The 65-year-old Queensland biomolecular scientist has spent his career looking at the regenerative properties of stem cells and how they can be used to repair damaged spinal cords.

He was tonight named Australian of the Year for 2017 by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the Great Hall of Parliament House.

Professor Mackay-Sim following the announcement.

Prof. Mackay-Sim has played a crucial role in looking at the regenerative properties of stem cells to repair damaged spinal cords.

An international leader in stem cell research, he hopes to raise awareness of what can be achieved in terms of scientific research in Australia.

"I really want to talk about science - about the importance of my kind of science which is neuroscience and studying rare brain diseases, conditions and injuries," Prof Mackay-Sim said.

"And let's develop a national, long term plan that can give young people a good career in science."

2017 Australian of the Year, Professor Alan Mackay-Sim.

In 2014, Prof Mackay-Sim's research played a central role in the world's first successful restoration of mobility in a quadriplegic man, helping paralysed Polish firefighter Darek Fidyka to walk again.

As director of the National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research, he's used stem cells to understand brain disorders like schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.

The award for Senior Australian of the Year went to Northern Territory nun Sister Anne Gardiner, for her work helping the people of the Tiwi Islands for 62 years.

Young Australian of the Year went to South Australian fashion designer Paul Vasileff, for achieving international success in the fashion world from his hometown of Adelaide, while Victorian woman Vicki Jellie was named Australia's Local Hero.

After her husband died of cancer in 2008, Ms Jellie campaigned and fundraised, securing $30 million to open a new cancer centre in Warrnambool in 2016.

This article is part of 9News.com.au's Australian of the Year coverage, brought to you by Commonwealth Bank.

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2017 Australian of the Year Award winners:

Senior Australian of the Year: Sister Anne Gardiner AM, Northern Territory

Young Australian of the Year: Paul Vasileff, South Australia