Celebrating design excellence and it’s contribution to communities across Australia and abroad.
Since 1981, we’ve upheld excellence in the profession by recognising best practice in the field through our National & Chapter Architecture Awards programs and inspiring others to continue striving to positively shape communities through architecture.
The National Architecture Awards is an integrated, hierarchical program resulting in annual awards at National, Chapter (State and Territory) and, in some states, Regional levels. To enter the National Architecture Awards, Institute members submit projects at the relevant chapter or regional level depending on the project’s location.
Awards in each category are based on a three-tier system, in decreasing order of merit. Only State or Territory Named and Architecture Awards progress to be considered for a National Award.
| Chapter | Entries close | Presentation to Juries | Awards Presentations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | 18 Feb 2026 | 18, 19 & 20 March 2026 | 13 June 2026 |
| International (INT) | 10 Feb 2026 | 25 & 26 Feb 2026 | 30 May 2026 |
| New South Wales (NSW) | 12 Feb 2026 | 23 Mar – 28 Mar 2026 | 2 July 2026 |
| Northern Territory (NT) | 20 March 2026 | 13 – 17 April 2026 | 27 June 2026 |
| Queensland (QLD) | 6 Feb 2026 |
2 March - 20 March Greater Brisbane Regional Categories 23 March - 27 March North Qld + Darling Downs and West Moreton 30 March - 3 April Central Qld + Gold Coast and Northern Rivers 6 April - 10 April Far North Qld + Sunshine Coast 4 May - 15 May Qld Awards Jury (Visits to Commended Brisbane Projects) |
1 May Greater Brisbane 15 May North Qld + Darling Downs and West Moreton 22 May Central Qld + Gold Coast and Northern Rivers 29 May Far North Qld + Sunshine Coast 26 June Qld Awards |
| South Australia (SA) | 11 Feb 2026 | 14 March 2026 | 20 June 2026 |
| Tasmania (TAS) | 10 Feb 2026 | 21 Feb 2026 | 30 May 2026 |
| Victoria (VIC) | 4 Feb 2026 | 21 & 23 March 2026 | 19 June 2026 |
| Western Australia (WA) | 9 Feb 2026 | 21 Feb 2026 | 12 June 2026 |
| National | N/A |
National Jury Tour Jury Tour: Jul/Aug 2026 |
29 October 2026 |
| Chapter | Standard entry fee (ex gst) | A+ Membership Fee (10% discount) ex gst |
|---|---|---|
| NSW Regional | $350 | $315 |
| ACT, NSW, NT, Queensland, SA, Tasmania, Victoria, WA | $700 | $630 |
| International | $700 (No GST applied) | $630 (No GST applied) |
Entries for 2026 opened on Monday 17 November 2025.
Last updated: 20 January 2026
To enter the Australian Institute of Architects Architecture Awards Program, an entrant must be a registered architect and Institute member. To be eligible to enter, entrants must meet the following three requirements:
1. Member Status
2. Practical Completion
Projects must receive a PASS result in at least 2 out of the 6 sections (General, Projection of Land and Ecological Systems, Siting and Urban Design, Energy Efficiency and Consumption, Selection of Building Materials and Process & Social Issues) on the Sustainable Architecture checklist located at the beginning of the online entry form*. This does not guarantee consideration in the Sustainable Architecture category, you must opt in to do so via the online entry
form.
*Entrants in the Small Project Architecture and Heritage categories are still required to complete the checklist to the best of their ability but are NOT required to meet the minimum 2 out of 6 result and are exempt from this requirement.
Watch this video to understand the changes made regarding the sustainability checklist.
Policy
Before submitting an entry into the Chapter Architecture Awards, please become familiar with the Awards, Prizes and Honours Policy.
Terms and conditions
Ensure you also read the Terms and Conditions before submitting an entry.
Consent forms
It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that the following Copyright Consent Forms are completed and signed. Entrants are required to submit these forms to the Institute as part of the online entry system.
Juries may choose to consider projects in categories other than the category the project was originally entered in subject to meeting the entry requirements of the new category.
Image: St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Rosebery | Neeson Murcutt Neille | Photographer: Tom Ross
Image: White Bay Power Station | Design 5 – Architects with Placemaking NSW | Photographer: Toby Peet
Image: Babylon House Interior | Casey Brown Architecture | Photographer: Zella Casey Brown
Image: House in Erskineville | Architect George | Photographer: Clinton Weaver
Image: New Castle | Anthony St John Parsons | Photographer: Benjamin Hosking
Image: Wentworth Quarter | Bates Smart | Photographer: Felix Mooneeram
Image: Boot Factory and Mill Hill Centre Precinct | ARCHER OFFICE with MATT DEVINE & CO and ASPECT STUDIOS | Photographer: Peter Bennetts
Image: Green Heart – the urban garden – | Studio Oulala Architects | Photographer: Simon Whitbread
Image: Eco-House Leura | Marra + Yeh Architects | Photographer: Brett Boardman
Members cannot enter these categories directly, although will have the opportunity to self nominate for the following categories once they have elected a primary category:
If you wish to be considered for the above categories, you must provide the necessary entry materials which will be outlined in the awards entry portal.
For all Chapter specific awards and prizes, please review the respective Chapter Hub or refer to the Awards Entry Handbook.
insert content for the national juries
text where the award winners for 2026 will go
