Entries Closing End of June for 2026 Sustainability Awards

Australia's leading Award program recognising excellence in sustainable architecture, design and construction is moving forward.

Celebrating its 20th year, the 2026 Sustainability Awards arrive at a pivotal moment for the built environment—one defined by increasing regulatory pressure, housing supply challenges, and the mainstreaming of sustainability as a commercial imperative rather than a design aspiration.

This year's program introduces two significant category updates that reflect the evolving priorities of the industry, including the return of established and emerging areas of practice.

The introduction of Sustainable Builder/Developer of the Year, marks a decisive shift in recognising accountability for sustainability outcomes. The category acknowledges that leadership has moved beyond the drawing board—rewarding builders and developers who are embedding environmental performance, social responsibility and long-term value creation into delivery at scale. It signals a broader industry recalibration, where sustainability is judged on execution, not intent.

Equally, the return of the Prefab & Modular category—absent since 2020—reflects the sector's rapid maturation and growing strategic importance. Once considered niche, prefabrication is now firmly positioned as a scalable solution to some of Australia's most pressing challenges, including housing affordability, construction productivity and waste reduction. Its reinstatement underscores increasing industry adoption and alignment with government and institutional support for modern methods of construction.

"Sustainability in the built environment is no longer aspirational—it's essential. These awards not only celebrate the innovators getting it right but also amplify their impact to drive broader change," says Branko Miletic, Program Director.

The Awards Jury Panel for 2026:

• Ben Peake – Principal, Carter Williams Architects
• Dr Clyde Anderson – Director, ABSA (Australian Building Sustainability Association)
• Dick Clarke – Founding Director, Envirotecture Australia
• Dominika Richards – Sustainability Lead, Deicke Richards
• Gabrielle Pavicic – Green Star Program Lead, Green Building Council of Australia
• Gagandeep Jadhav – Sustainability Consultant, Steensen Varming
• Heather McCabe – Architect & Certified Passivhaus Designer, DJRD Architects
• Jeremy Spencer – Director, Positive Footprints
• Mahalath Halperin – Architect & Director, Mahalath Halperin Architects
• Mick Paterson – General Manager, Blaise Buildings Services
• Sandra Furtado – Director, Furtado Sullivan
• Shae Parker McCashen – Founding Director, Green Sheep Collective

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Key Dates:

• Entries for award submission close: 24 June 2026
• Judging commences: 17 July 2026
• Shortlist announced: 27 August 2026
• Awards Gala: 12 November 2026

For full details on entry criteria, categories and submission guidelines, visit:
www.sustainablebuildingawards.com.au/]

The Awards Gala will be held at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Sydney, bringing together leaders shaping the future of Australia's built environment.