2026 NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
Recognise excellence around you by nominating an exceptional Australian manufacturer, or someone supplying products or services to Australian manufacturing. This is your chance to give them the recognition they deserve and celebrate them as a star in the industry
Nominating criteria and instructions:
- Nominations are unable to be withdrawn once nominations are closed.
- Your nomination must be completed in one sitting; a partially completed form cannot be saved and reopened at a later date.
- All products and/or technologies must be manufactured and/or commercially available in Australia.
- Companies and sites nominated must operate within Australia.
- Executives nominated must reside and work in Australia.
- All nominations must be accompanied by a high resolution image (at least 1MB in size) suitable for print publication.
- Please have any supporting documentation (i.e. equipment specifications, photographs, marketing materials) ready to upload; file sizes shouldn’t exceed 5MB.
- All finalists are required to have a representative at the Gala Awards evening should they be successful.
By submitting a nomination, you give Prime Creative Media permission to publish all or part of your nomination in Manufacturers’ Monthly or another suitable publication.
NOTE: no content is provided to nominees for approval prior to publication so please ensure all information, supporting evidence and images are approved for publication prior to submitting the nomination. Anything that is confidential and not for publishing should be clearly identified.
View all Award categories and nomination criteria below.
5 November
Nominations and submissions open
13 February
Nominations and submissions close
Please contact Natalie Phan on natalie.phan@primecreative.com.au if you have any questions or need help lodging your submission.
17 March
Finalists announced
13 May
Awards ceremony
Don’t miss out on the industry’s networking evening of the year in Brisbane.
Outstanding Start-Up Award
Recognising an Australian manufacturing start-up that has introduced a new product to market, filling a market gap. The company must have been established within the five (5) years prior to the nominations closing date.
Nomination Criteria
- Why was the company established, and what need does it meet? (15 points)
- What is the product, and how does it differ from other market offerings? (20 points)
- Is the product a commercially viable long-term proposition? Provide examples of scalability, commercial viability and end markets. (40 points)
- Demonstrate the reception of the product – either in the market or in initial prototype stages. (25 points)
Innovation in Health Technology
Recognising technologies that improve healthcare and medical manufacturing. This category is for companies developing innovative health solutions, including medical devices, digital health platforms, biotechnologies, and pharmaceuticals. Eligible technologies must have undergone advancements within the two (2) years prior to the nominations closing date.
Nomination Criteria
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How has the company foreseen and prepared for changing conditions and challenges in the healthcare industry and deployed innovative med-tech or pharmaceutical solutions to ensure the viability of the organisation? (20 points)
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Demonstrate how the innovation improves the industry in least one of the following: environment and sustainability, productivity, efficiency and speed, cost-saving, safety. (30 points)
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What are the key issues/challenges/opportunities that the project is seeking to solve and/or capture and what targets or KPIs have been met to date? (20 points)
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Has the project demonstrated new, replicable best practices for industry? (30 points)
Innovation in Aerospace
Celebrating advancements in aerospace technology, this category is for companies driving innovation in aircraft, space, and defence aircraft manufacturing.
This innovation includes new materials, new vehicle breakthroughs, new groundbreaking applications, advanced manufacturing techniques, or digital solutions. Eligible innovations must be new to market or have made advancements within the two (2) years prior to the nominations closing date.
Nomination Criteria
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How does the company plan for and execute technical and operational success under challenging conditions? (20 points)
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Explain the innovation that the company has introduced to disrupt the aerospace industry and how it benefits the sector it is designed for. (30 points)
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Provide examples of the company’s achievement of the organisation’s targets and KPIs and any other measurable change and success. (50 points)
Innovation in Food & Beverage Manufacturing
Recognising advancements that enhance food and beverage production, this category is open to businesses developing innovative processing, packaging, automation, or sustainability solutions for the industry. Eligible innovations must be new to market or have made advancements within the two (2) years prior to the nominations closing date.
Nomination Criteria
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Illustrate the company’s significant impact on organisational growth, greater reach, and improved financial performance/impact. (50 points)
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How has the company foreseen and prepared for changing conditions and challenges in the food and beverage industry and deployed innovative solutions to ensure the viability of the organisation? (30 points)
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What are the key issues/challenges/opportunities that the project is seeking to solve and/or capture and what targets or KPIs have been met to date? (20 points)
Innovation in Transport
Highlighting innovation in transport, this category is for businesses enhancing vehicle manufacturing, public transport, or sustainable mobility solutions.
Eligible innovations must be new to market or have made advancements within the two (2) years prior to the nominations closing date.
Nomination Criteria
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Demonstrate how the innovation improves the industry in least one of the following: environment and sustainability, productivity, efficiency and speed, cost-saving, safety. (30 points)
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How has the company foreseen and prepared for changing conditions and challenges in the transport industry and deployed innovative solutions to ensure the viability of the organisation? (20 points)
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How does the company plan for and execute technical and operational success under challenging conditions? (20 points)
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What are the key issues/challenges/opportunities that the project is seeking to solve and/or capture and what targets or KPIs have been met to date? (30 points)
Leader of the Year- Proudly sponsored by BDO Australia
A leader who holds a senior person (executive, manager, director, or equivalent) in a private, not-for-profit, or government organisation who has effectively shaped their business’ success, delivered financial growth, significantly and positively impacted the business’ culture, and championed the industry widely. The nominee must show their leadership contributions and illustrate their financial and cultural impact throughout the organisation. They must also detail how they have used their position to promote, protect, support, champion the manufacturing industry.
Nomination Criteria
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How has the nominee foreseen and prepared for changing conditions and challenges, and deployed innovative solutions to ensure the viability of the organisation? (20 points)
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How has the nominee driven a cultural impact in the organisation to build a diverse and inclusive workplace? (20 points)
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Provide examples of the nominee’s achievement of the organisation’s targets and KPIs and any other measurable change and success. (20 points)
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How has the nominee mentored others or impacted on the business during their time in the leading position? (20 points)
Advanced Manufacturing Excellence Award
This award celebrates outstanding achievement in precision engineering, automation, or digital manufacturing technologies. This category is for technology providers who sell their products to Australian manufacturing businesses. The technology must be new to market or have significant changes to an existing version within the two (2) years prior to the nominations closing date.
Nomination Criteria
- Demonstrate how the technology improves at least one of the following: production outputs, waste reduction, input reduction, environment, safety, cost reduction, manufacturing efficiency, delivery in full and on time. (50 points)
- Demonstrate how technology differs from other available market offerings. (20 points)
- Include a case study/practical example demonstrating success. (30 points)
Rising Star of the Year Award
This award recognises an emerging leader who has demonstrated exceptional talent, innovation, and commitment within Australia’s manufacturing industry. It celebrates individuals in the early stages of their careers (under 30 years of age) who have made a significant impact through their technical expertise, leadership potential, or contribution to business improvement.
Nomination Criteria
- Demonstrate the nominee’s key achievements and contributions to their organisation or the wider manufacturing industry. (40 points)
- Provide examples of innovation, problem-solving, or leadership that set the nominee apart from peers. (30 points)
- Describe how the nominee’s work has contributed to measurable improvements such as productivity, quality, safety, or culture. (20 points)
- Include endorsements or testimonials supporting the nominee’s performance and potential for future leadership. (10 points)
Excellence in Sustainability Award
This award celebrates a manufacturing business that has demonstrated leadership and innovation in environmental sustainability. It recognises companies that have successfully implemented initiatives to reduce their environmental footprint, improve resource efficiency, and embed sustainable practices across their operations.
Nomination Criteria
- Demonstrate measurable outcomes in reducing energy use, waste, emissions, or resource consumption. (40 points)
- Describe the strategies, technologies, or process improvements implemented to achieve these outcomes. (30 points)
- Show how sustainability initiatives are integrated into the organisation’s overall business strategy or culture. (20 points)
- Include supporting evidence such as data, certifications, or case studies demonstrating impact. (10 points)
Manufacturer of the Year – Proudly sponsored by Weld Australia
Manufacturer of the Year is chosen from the winners of the other Awards categories. This category is not open for nomination.