A video blooper caused a slight embarrassment to the federal government which launched a new cyber-safety campaign on Wednesday. The video mistakenly named former magazine queen Ita Buttrose as the 2013 Australian of the Year.

Ms Buttrose is actually close to the title as she is a finalist for the award and the New South Wales Australian of the Year for her outstanding contributions to media work and commitment to Alzheimer's research.

She is also the president of Arthritis Australia, director of the Australian Prostrate Cancer Foundation and Alzheimer's Australia in 2012.

The video was produced by Life Education Australia, a non-government health education provider, and McAfee Security, a cyber security firm. The error was immediately corrected on Life Education Australia's portal.

The National Australia Day Council accepted the mistake was because of human error.

The federal government is scheduled to announce the winner of the Australian of the Year award in Canberra on the eve of Australia Day.

Ms Buttrose, who could emerge the winner, was flying back to Australia when she heard of the video gaffe. She said she it sure the error was not intentional.