[2] From 1969 to 2010, the category was presented by the Australian Film Institute (AFI), the Academy's parent organisation, at the annual Australian Film Institute Awards (known as the AFI Awards).
[3] Bruce Beresford, Rolf de Heer, Ray Lawrence, Baz Luhrmann, George Miller, Fred Schepisi, Peter Weir and Jennifer Kent have received the award the most times with two each.
Paul Cox has been nominated seven times, more than any other director with one win.
[A] The director in bold and in dark blue background have received a special award; those in bold and in yellow background have won a regular competitive award.
Within each year, the table lists the winning director first and then the other nominees.