The Oscar-winning actress has been recognised with Australia’s highest screen honour by the AACTA.

Two-time Oscar-winning Actress Cate Blanchett is predicted to be a shoe-in for another Academy Award nomination when they are announced on January 14 next year for her performance in the Todd Haynes lesbian romance, Carol. But if there were any doubt as to Blanchett’s incomparable place among Australia’s greatest actors, she is to be recognised tomorrow evening with the highest screen honour Down Under: the Longford Lyell Award.

The prestigious laurel, bestowed by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts, recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Australian cinema. The award will be presented by Richard Roxburgh and Hugo Weaving at the AACTA Awards taking place in Sydney on Wednesday evening. Previous winners include director Peter Weir, actor Geoffrey Rush and film critic David Stratton.

Blanchett is one of Australia’s most decorated film stars: in addition to her two previous Oscar wins for The Aviator (2004) and Blue Jasmine (2014), she also boasts no less than four other Oscar nominations, as well as having won three Golden Globes, three BAFTAs and five Australian Film Institute and Australian Academy awards.

Blanchett shared her delight at being recognised with the award in a statement, saying, “When I look at the outstanding men and women who have received this prestigious award before me, I am truly honoured to be considered among venerable practitioners and performers; creative spirits who have had a strong and lasting influence, not only on my work, but on what I thought creatively possible in this country.”

Speaking in his capacity as the AACTA president, Geoffrey Rush was unequivocal about Blanchett’s inestimable contribution to Australian cinema and theatre. “She is in the company of but a few performers in this world whose ownership of their craft has redefined it for the rest; taking performance to new levels of excellence to which many aspire,” he said.

The AACTA Awards will be televised on Channel Seven.