From 2012-2015 The Max Charlesworth Prize was awarded to the best philosophy essay in a given undergraduate year.

From 2016, Deakin will be offering two annual philosophy prizes:

• The Max Charlesworth Prize recognises the highest-achieving philosophy major completing in each academic year. The award is named in honour of Professor Emeritus Max Charlesworth AO (1925-2014), Planning Dean in Humanities and Professor of Philosophy at Deakin University and founder of the journal Sophia.
• The Stan van Hooft Prize recognises the best first-year philosophy essay in each academic year. The award is named in honour of Professor Emeritus Stan van Hooft, who taught philosophy at Deakin from its inception to his retirement in 2014.

Prize selections are made by a panel of the philosophy staff. Where possible, prizes are presented by the Head of School at a ceremony held in November.