Sam Kerr nets Young Australian of the Year

Soccer superstar Sam Kerr has capped a stunning breakout year by netting the 2018 Young Australian of the Year Award.

The 24-year-old Perth Glory striker received the gong at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday on the back of a remarkable 2017, with her goalscoring feats breaking new ground.

Kerr helped Australia win the Tournament of Nations and set a new record in the National Women's Soccer League in the United States, scoring 17 goals in 22 games.

Photos of her trademark backflip goal celebrations has earned space in the country's newspapers in a way the women's game has rarely achieved.

"I think women's sport has taken a huge leap this year and a lot more people are getting behind it," Kerr said.

"It's great for not only the athletes involved, but the young kids growing up with great role models now."

She said it wasn't just young girls looking up to female athletes, but young boys were also idolising women sporting stars.

Kerr has also won a swag of other individual honours, including Australian Sportswoman of the Year, ABC Sports Personality of the Year, the W-League's Julie Dolan Medal and Asian Player of the Year.