The 16-year-old is one of four nominees in the Victorian category and will be recognised during an online ceremony on Tuesday.

Keeley founded charity Keeley's Cause when she was 13-years-old to assist children who, like her, are diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability.

Through the charity she has provided iPads pre-loaded with tailored education plans to 103 children with autism or an intellectual disability.

This was achieved through more than $70,000 in funds raised in two years.

Keeley's Cause director and Keeley's mother Sharon Murphy said she was excited for Keeley and the disability community following the award nomination.

"I think her being nominated and having autism and an intellectual disability herself helps to further create awareness of things they can do opposed to everything people think they can't do," she said.

Keeley started the charity after experiencing difficulty at school and a lack of funding to access a permanent electronic device for her learning.

She said she was feeling shocked about the award nomination but excited about the exposure it would bring to the charity.

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Ballarat region parent Lisa Donovan's eight children each received an iPad from Keeley's Cause two-and-a-half years ago.

She said the iPads had made a 'huge difference' to the children who have a range of communication disorders, social disorders and physical and intellectual disabilities.

"The iPads have been outstanding because primarily they have given the children increased opportunity for communication," Ms Donovan said.

"In doing so, that gives them increased opportunity for learning, increased opportunity for self-expression and also enhances their social opportunities.

"When they develop confidence as a result of all those things that snowballs in a positive manner so they can function more effectively and life is more rewarding. It enhances their current learning at school."

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Ms Donovan said the support the children received from their school was 'outstanding' but the iPads had further enhanced their learning.

"Where some of them were really struggling with their numeracy and literacy and were way way behind, they have really well and truly caught up," she said.

"That increases everything from their ability to be more independent to their ability to have greater aspirations about what they might achieve."

Ms Donovan said the iPads also helped the children remain engaged in their singing and dancing lessons during COVID-19 lockdown periods.

All Keeley's Cause fundraising and iPad presentation events were put on hold due to COVID-19.

Ms Murphy said there had been an influx of requests for iPads as many children had struggled throughout COVID-19 lockdowns.

Visit keeleyscause.org.au/ for more information about the charity or to donate.

There will be an online ceremony to announce the Victorian Australian of the Year award nominees on Tuesday from 6.30pm on the award Facebook page.