The Billy T Award is a New Zealand comedy award recognising up-and-coming New Zealand comedians with outstanding potential. It has been presented annually since its inception in 1997 when Cal Wilson and Ewen Gilmour shared the award. The Billy T was shared between two comedians until 2001 when it became a solo award.

Cal Wilson was a New Zealand stand-up comedian, author, radio and television presenter based in Australia. Wilson wrote the New Zealand sitcom Willy Nilly from 2001 until 2003. She then appeared in numerous comedy and television shows, including being the host of Sleuth 101 and voiced Petal and Thorn in the children's TV series Kitty Is Not a Cat. Wilson also co-hosted several radio shows.