Celebrating Australian Landscape Architecture 

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Awards recognise the projects, places and practitioners shaping the future of Australia’s landscapes, cities and communities. 

From public parks and streetscapes to infrastructure, campuses, ecological restoration, strategic planning and civic landscapes, the Awards celebrate the breadth, value and impact of landscape architecture across the country. 

The AILA Awards program is delivered through a streamlined national process, making entry simpler and easier to manage, while continuing to celebrate excellence through chapter-based juries and local awards events. 

2026 AILA Awards 

This is Landscape. Design that holds its ground.

For 60years landscape architects have shaped the way Australia lives.  

Before cities were talking about resilience, landscape architects were designing it. 
Before green infrastructure became policy language, landscape architects were delivering it. 
Before public life became a crisis, landscape architects were defending the places that hold it together. 

The parks. The streets. The waterfronts. The campuses. The civic spaces. The living systems beneath them. 

Landscape architecture has never been more critical to Australia’s future . 

The 2026 AILA Awards celebrate the projects, practices and people continuing to shape the country through landscape architecture. 

ENTER THE AWARDS

See supporting documents. 

How the Awards Program Works

The AILA Landscape Architecture Awards program is delivered through a Chapter-based structure across Australia.

Projects are entered into the Chapter where the project is located and are assessed by a Chapter Jury relevant to that state or territory.

Chapter winners are announced through local Chapter Awards celebrations held across Australia in September 2026.

Eligible Chapter Award of Excellence winners then progress automatically to the National Awards program for consideration by the National Jury.

Stage 1: Enter the Awards

To enter the Awards:

1. complete the online submission form: Enter Awards
2. upload supporting material
3. pay the entry fee
4. Enter the awards

Stage 2: Awards

Gather your colleagues and collaborators. Register for Chapter Awards celebrations September 2026. Details coming soon.


tooltip

2026 Landscape Architecture Awards

Why enter?

The AILA Awards provide an opportunity to: 

  • Showcase leadership and design excellence 
  • Recognise the contribution of landscape architecture to Australian life 
  • Elevate practice, projects and emerging voices 
  • Share innovation, advocacy and research across the profession 
  • Celebrate the people and places shaping our landscapes 

Awards Information

Enter the Awards

Entrants must complete an online entry form and pay the entry fee.  For full entry requirements view the Entry Guide.  Should your entry win at Chapter level, it will automatically progress to the National Awards. 

Key awards dates

Don’t miss an important upcoming Awards date. View all the Chapter and National important events: entries opening, entry deadlines, and Awards presentations.

National Awards Jury

The Landscape Architecture Awards jury serves an important role in determining Awards in recognition of exceptional Landscape Architecture practice. The jury awards practices and members in confirmation of talent, commitment, and design excellence.

LEARN MORE

Awards Categories

16 National Awards categories across varying disciplines are awarded Landscape Architecture Awards and Awards of Excellence in recognition of outstanding work in these areas. The National Awards program includes a category of International.

Awards Guides & Policies

To assist in your preparation of your submission, please read important Landscape Architecture Awards program documents.

Past Landscape Architecture Awards

Reflect on historical Awards programs, listing all National and Chapter winners.


Chapter Awards

tooltip

2022 AILA ACT Award of Excellence for Gardens | National Museum of Australia Forecourt Garden | T.C.L. | Ngunnawal, Ngambri and Ngunawal | Photo: Anne Stroud

ACT Awards

tooltip

2022 AILA NSW Landscape Architecture Award for Tourism | Bago Maze | Bago Maze and Wine | Biripi Country | Photo: Andrew Kowalewski

NSW Awards 

tooltip

2022 AILA NT Landscape Architecture Award for Urban Design | Cooling Darwin | CLOUSTON Associates | Larrakia Country (Gulumoerrgin Language Group) | Photo: CLOUSTON Associates

NT Awards

LEARN MORE

tooltip

2022 AILA QLD Award of Excellence for Parks and Open Space | The Spit Redevelopment | Place Design Group | Yugambeh | Photo: Ravens At Odds

QLD Awards

LEARN MORE

tooltip

2022 AILA SA Landscape Architecture Award for Cultural Heritage | Yunggorendi Mande Cultural Gathering Space | WAX Design | Kaurna | Photo: Tom Roschi Photographer

SA Awards

LEARN MORE

tooltip

2019 Tas Award Of Excellence for Small Projects | The Lily Pads | Practice: Inspiring Place | South East Nation | Photo: Matt Osbourne

TAS Awards

LEARN MORE

tooltip

2023 AILA Victoria Award of Excellence for Landscape Planning | Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail Master Plan | Tract and World Trails | Eastern Maar Nation | Photo: DELWP

VIC Awards

LEARN MORE

tooltip

2022 AILA WA Award of Excellence for Health and Education Landscape | Karla Katitjin - Bushfire Centre for Excellence | Josh Byrne & Associates | Australia | Photo: Robert Frith

WA Awards

LEARN MORE

tooltip

2021 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for International | Xichong Coast Recovery Plan | Hassell | Xichong, Shenzhen, China | Photo: Hassell

International Entrant

LEARN MORE




Awards Categories

tooltip

2020 AILA SA Award of Excellence for Health and Education Landscape | 2020 Healthy Parks Healthy People SA Award Winner | Paringa Park Primary School | Peter Semple Landscape Architects | Kaurna | Photo: Jason Tyndall

Health and Education Landscape

Projects in this category are constructed landscape projects in and surrounding institutional spaces including educational, health or aged care facilities. Projects in this category demonstrate how the design contributes to the usability and operation of the facility and the wellbeing of the user.

tooltip

2022 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Civic Landscape | 2022 AILA QLD Landscape Architecture Award for Civic Landscape | Mollison Park | RPS | Turrbal and Yuggera people | Photo: Scott Burrows

Civic Landscape

Projects in this category are constructed urban landscape projects that are public in nature and capture and contribute to the culture and amenity of the urban environment around them. Projects will demonstrate how the landscape architecture has contributed to the overall outcomes.

tooltip

2021 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Parks and Open Space | 2021 AILA WA Award of Excellence for Parks and Open Space | Bina Parkland | Ecoscape | Whadjuk Nyoongar | Photo: Michael Macaulay

Parks and Open Space

Projects in this category are constructed public parks and open space, or strategic open space projects that balance the demand for recreation, culture and the environment.

tooltip

2020 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Play Spaces | 2020 AILA SA Landscape Architecture Award for Play Spaces | Para Wirra Nature Playspace | TCL | Kaurna Nation | Photo: Emily Taylor

Play Spaces

Projects in this category are constructed play spaces or strategies which promote the notion of active play and embraces the temporal elements of the active play space.

tooltip

2020 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Infrastructure | 2020 AILA QLD Landscape Architecture Award for Civic Landscape | Aerodrome Road Intersection | Hassell | Gubbi Gubbi / Kabi Kabi | Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones

Infrastructure

Projects in this category are constructed landscape infrastructure projects, landscape strategies or works associated with civil infrastructure that demonstrates the successful integration of landscape values and which contribute to a future sustainability.

tooltip

2020 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Cultural Heritage | 2020 AILA WA Award of Excellence for Cultural Heritage | UWA Cultural Heritage Mapping | UDLA | Whadjuk Nyoongar | Photo: Jason Thomas

Cultural Heritage

Projects in this category are constructed projects or strategies that demonstrate the restoration, conservation, enhancement, maintenance, or adaptive reuse of culturally significant sites.

tooltip

2022 AILA NSW Landscape Architecture Award for Land Management | University of Newcastle - Delprat Garden | University of Newcastle, School of Architecture & Built Environment | Awabakal Country | Photo: Miranda Cunningham

Land Management

Projects in this category are constructed projects or strategies for the restoration, conservation or management of significant landscapes that demonstrate a tangible physical outcome. The project may recognise and reconcile the natural and cultural values of communities and the landscape in which they are placed.

tooltip

2022 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Tourism | 2022 AILA Victoria Landscape Architecture Award for Tourism | Lake Tyrrell Tourism Infrastructure Design | Thomson Hay Landscape Architects | Wergaia Peoples (Boorong clan) | Photo: Anne Morley

Tourism

Projects in this category are constructed or strategic projects that demonstrate excellence in landscape design and demonstrate a tangible contribution to tourism, either nationally or in the local region that significantly enhances the profile of the area.

tooltip

2020 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Urban Design | 2020 AILA WA Award of Excellence for Urban Design | The Rocks Laneway | UDLA | Yamatji | Photo: Josh Monagan

Urban Design

Projects in this category are constructed or strategic projects that demonstrate how the design, construction management and built outcome of the landscape, contributes to the wellbeing of the urban setting through the improvement of social interaction, economic activity, liveability, accessibility and safety. Projects will have a specific focus on how landscape architecture has contributed to the urban design outcome.

tooltip

2020 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Landscape Planning | 2020 AILA Victoria Landscape Architecture Award for Infrastructure | Maribyrnong Waterfront IWM | REALMstudios | Kulin Nation | Photo: REALMstudios

Landscape Planning

Projects in this category are constructed or strategic projects and include strategic design and guiding policy documents and visual assessments for urban development, residential and planned communities, local community and rural or regional planning.

tooltip

2020 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Research, Policy and Communications | 2020 AILA QLD Landscape Architecture Award for Research, Policy and Communications | Sunshine Coast Design Strategy and Book | Sunshine Coast Council | Jinibara and Kabi Kabi people | Photo: Andrew Maccoll

Research, Policy and Communications

Projects in this category include published works in research and or practice that extend the knowledge base and advocacy of landscape architecture.

tooltip

2020 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Community Contribution | 2020 AILA WA Award of Excellence for Community Contribution | Saint Joseph’s Nature Play Master Plan | Ecoscape Australia Pty Ltd | Miriwoong | Photo: Nicole Croudace

Community Contribution

Projects in this category included constructed projects or strategies delivered either: As a pro bono service (or significantly reduced fee) to the community OR have positively impacted a disadvantaged individual or group of users who wouldn’t normally have access to design expertise Entrants should be able to clearly demonstrate the benefit provided by the project to the communities, cultural groups and/or neighbourhoods in which they are located in or serve (e.g. through client letters of support explicitly referring to benefits gained).

tooltip

2020 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Small Projects | System Garden Rainforest Walk | SBLA Studio | Wurundjeri | Photo: Wade Trevean

Small Projects

Projects in this category include those considered to be 'small' in terms of size or budget. Projects are recognised that have been constrained by size or budget restrictions but have achieved a level of invention and creativity beyond these constraints.

tooltip

2020 National Landscape Architecture Award for Gardens | 2020 QLD Award of Excellence for Gardens | Domic | James Birrell Design Lab | Kabi Kabi | Photo: Scott Burrows

Gardens

Projects in this category include constructed private and public gardens that contribute to the role and understanding of the garden in contemporary society and culture.

tooltip

2020 AILA National Award of Excellence for International | Feng River Park | GVL Gossamer | Sha'anxi Province, China | Photo: GVL Gossamer

International

Projects in this category include constructed or strategic projects that demonstrate a contribution to landscape architecture internationally. Please note the International Awards are part of the National Awards program and are not judged at the state level.

tooltip

2022 AILA National Award of Excellence for Tourism | 2022 AILA Victoria Award of Excellence for Tourism | 2022 AILA National Regional Achievement Award | Grampians Peaks Trail (Gariwerd) | McGregor Coxall, Noxon Giffen | Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation & Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation | Photo: Shannon McGrath

Regional Achievement

This is a cross category award given in recognition of landscape architecture that has made a significant difference to improving the healthy communities and/or built and natural environments of regional Australia. Chapter Executives in collaboration with the Chapter Jury will determine the eligible key regions for their Chapter program.

tooltip

2016 National Award of Excellence for Civic | 2015 QLD Award of Excellence for Civic | Lady Cilento Children's Hospital | Landscape Architect: Conrad Gargett | Turrbal | Photo: Christopher Frederick Jones

Climate Positive Design

This is a cross category Award given in recognition of landscape architecture projects that have shown significant contribution to climate positive design. Entrants may opt in to this award and provide additional documentation on how their project has shown a strong effort toward climate mitigation, climate adaptation while also contribution to social, environmental and or economic benefits. Refer to the entry guide (page 4) for additional documentation required to submit for this award.

tooltip

Image credit coming

Future Leaders Student Award and Graduate Award

These two awards recognise achievement in design, planning, communications and research that is based upon the development of innovative, creative and practical solutions to landscape architectural challenges. Know a student or graduate member that you’d like to nominate?

tooltip

Image credit coming soon

ShadeSmart Award

Projects in this category will be acknowledged for their contribution to  best practice Shade & UV planning, design, and innovative practice.  The award winners design will reinforce the pivotal role that LA’s play in the design of public spaces and advocating for sustainable and healthy communities and demonstrate leadership in sustainable and climate responsive practice at a time of national and international focus.

2026 Awards Juries

Announcing soon.

Entry Process

Entry into the AILA Landscape Architecture Awards program is limited to a person, or a team where the landscape architectural component is under the substantive control or direction of a person, who is a Registered Landscape Architect or Member (financial) and principal of the practice (who is an owner or formal licensee of the copyright in the work being entered). 

To be eligible for entry, projects (where applicable) must have at least reached practical completion and be in all other respects complete to the point of enabling proper assessment by the Jury, no later than the date specified in the important documents. Entries will be considered in the Chapter in which the project is located, regardless of the business address of the entrant. Any project located outside Australia will only be eligible for an award in the International category. 

Your entry into the awards is completed by our online platform. Entrants are able to start their entry as in progress before submitting.  

Enquiries 

For all Awards enquiries, please contact: 
[email protected] 

Enter the Awards

Entries open June 1st 2026, and close July 10th 2026.

ENTER THE AWARDS

Eligibility

To be eligible for the 2026 AILA Landscape Architecture Awards: 

  • projects must have reached practical completion by 31 March 2026 
  • entries must be submitted by an eligible entrant in accordance with AILA Awards requirements 
  • the entrant must have had a significant role in the design and delivery of the project 
  • entries must align with the eligibility requirements of the nominated category 
  • all required submission materials, declarations and entry fees must be provided 
  • projects located outside Australia are only eligible for entry within the International category 
  • previously entered projects may only be resubmitted where substantial additional stages or outcomes can be demonstrated 

AILA reserves the right to determine eligibility and reallocate entries to alternative categories where appropriate 

Eligible entrants include: 

  • AILA Registered Landscape Architects 
  • AILA members 
  • landscape architecture practices led by an eligible entrant 
  • authorised representatives entering on behalf of a project team or client where appropriate 

Entry fee

In recognition of the support members have shown the Institute over recent months, the 2026 AILA Awards entry fee has been held at $350 per entry, maintaining the 2020 pricing structure. 

Chapter

Fee per entry (AUD) 

All Chapters

 2026 Entry Fee $350 + GST

Supporting Documents

To assist in your preparation of your submission, please read the important documents. 

  1. AILA Awards Policy
  2. Entry Guide 2026
  3. Jury Guide 2026

Key dates

Milestone

Date
Entries Open 1 June 2026
Entries Close 10 July 2026
Jury Assessment Period July/August 2026
Chapter Awards Events September 2026