The website will prompt you to provide written responses (including word limits) to each of the criteria relevant to your chosen category. This will assist all entrants in addressing the criteria correctly and presenting clear and comprehensive information; this is essential to ensure your submission is competitive as the judges use the information to shortlist the finalists and prepare themselves for the site visit, as well as a reference during the final judging.

We urge the strong involvement of the project management team in the preparation of the entry responses as the focus is on the content in the online format, rather than the ‘gloss’ of a traditional hard copy submission.

You will still be able to utilise the electronic image uploads as the avenue through which to showcase the aesthetic and innovative elements of your project.

The selection criteria for each category is outlined on each category page. As a guide, you will be expected to address all or some of the listed criteria depending on the category – these can easily be viewed at a glance in our criteria matrix.

The criteria are weighted to give entrants an understanding of what the judges will be focusing on. This weighting is reflected in the judges’ scoring sheets.

2025 submissions will open Tuesday, 11 February and close Friday, 6 June 2025.

You may make changes to your submission up until the closing date, after this date, submissions will be considered complete. Any items or documents submitted after this time will be accepted or declined at the Institute’s discretion.

All Judges are experienced practitioners from various sectors of the urban development industry.

Judging of entries will include a review of the written submission against the criteria for each category and an on-site inspection by the panel of judges.

Entrants are expected to make a verbal presentation to the judges as part of their site inspection. You should allow no longer than one hour for the site inspection including the presentation. The onsite presentation is a key component of the judging and should be delivered by your most senior representative who is intimately familiar with the project e.g. CEO, Chairman, Director, Founder etc.

UDIA reserves the right to reallocate Awards submissions to another category if it is considered to be a more appropriate fit. In this instance, the entrant will be notified and they will be given the option to amend their submission.

The decision of the judging panel is final and will not be subject to challenge by an entrant or other parties.

After submissions close the Judges will review your applications, shortlist successful projects or re-categorise projects if they are more appropriate fit in a different category. Once shortlisting is complete, the Institute coordinates the site inspections with the judging panels.

Our independent judging panel will review project submissions from 18 August to 5 September 2025 and people interviews from 8 September to 19 September 2025.

No. Changes to the site inspection date and time are not permitted under any circumstances. It is strongly recommended that you block out the judging period in all key company representative’s diaries in advance to ensure the right people (i.e. CEO, Chairman, Development Manager, Project Lead etc) are available.

Yes. Under no circumstances should an entrant be in contact with or approach a member of the judge’s panel outside the hour of their scheduled site inspection. Should the Institute be made aware of such behaviour, your entry will be disqualified immediately.

The UDIA Awards 2025 shortlisted entrants will be announced in August.

Winners and Finalists will be announced at the Ceremony on Friday, 28 November 2025. More details to be announced soon!

Tickets are not allocated to entrants. You must purchase your own ticket(s). It is strongly recommended you purchase ticket(s) to the ceremony at the same time as you pay for your submission.

Each winning development will receive a trophy plus a certificate for all the consultants involved in the winning project. Additional trophies and certificates can be ordered following the Awards Ceremony via the UDIA and winners will be notified via email immediately after with instructions on how to do so.

Awards Team
Ph: 03 9832 9600
Email: awards@udiavic.com.au