Why enter?
Get your name out there! If you win a Housing & Construction Award you'll:
- Gain industry and public recognition for your high-quality work and projects
- Receive a trophy and winner's logo to promote the win and differentiate you from your competitors
- Drive business sales and catch the attention of potential clients
- Gain media coverage and promotion across a range of Master Builders publications, and
- Boost staff morale.
Tips for entering
- Entries can be saved as drafts. Complete it in chunks or check it twice before submitting in AwardForce.
- Not sure which region your entry falls under? Check your regional division by postcode.
- Not sure which category your entry falls under, price wise? Contract price + variations + GST= your category.
- Tell us as much as possible... write a detailed description of 100–500 words that potential clients would be interested in against the judging criteria. Include special features that are unique to the entry. Additional or supporting information should be submitted as an attachment.
- Got marketing brochures or videos for the project? Include them!
- Professional photos = professional entries.
- Be sure to save the best shot of your entry as ‘Hero’, it’ll be the one used everywhere at Awards events and if it's a winner.
- Submitting a renovation? Include good quality, high-resolution ‘before’ photos.
- Make sure your business name, trading name and license number are up to date with us and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). Entries are checked against your details on our membership database and the QBCC public register.
- Go through each section carefully, complete all the relevant fields.
- Take your time to check over it. Be sure to get someone else to have a read over it before submitting.
Award categories
The full list of 2026 Housing & Construction Award categories is available in our online awards entry system and set out below. There have been some changes made for our 2026 Awards, so even if you have entered before, you should read the Entry Handbook to see what’s new. Not sure what region you're in? Find out regional divisions by postcodes.
The key changes are:
- New category – Prefabricate and Modular Commercial Project
- New category – Apartment Renovation
- Changes to price brackets for some housing and commercial categories
A few extra things to note:
- When entering a priced category, the price is based on the final contract price of the build, inclusive of GST and all variations
- The cost of display homes is the actual cost of the home, including actual fixtures and fittings as displayed, but excluding furnishings, landscaping, and pools
- In the event that a home has been built without a contract (e.g. a builder constructing their own home) the home must be entered into the category that best represents the market value of the cost of the build. Evidence must be supplied, including a copy of Home Warranty Insurance Certificate
- Detailed judging criteria for all award categories are available in our online awards entry system or our Entry Handbook.
Construction Awards 2026
- Health Facilities up to $20 million
- Health Facilities over $20 million
- Education Facilities up to $7 million
- Education Facilities from $7 million up to $15 million
- Education Facilities over $15 million
- Sporting Facilities
- Community Services Facilities
- Retail Facilities up to $5 million
- Retail Facilities over $5 million
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities up to $10 million
- Tourism and Leisure Facilities over $10 million
- Commercial / Industrial Building up to $3 million
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $3 million up to $10 million
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $10 million up to $25 million
- Commercial / Industrial Building from $25 million up to $50 million
- Commercial / Industrial Building over $50 million
- Residential Building (high-rise over 3 storeys) up to $20 million
- Residential Building (high-rise over 3 storeys) from $20 million up to $50 million
- Residential Building (high-rise over 3 storeys) over $50 million
- Community Accommodation
- Apartment Renovation
- Commercial Refurbishment / Renovation up to $3 million
- Commercial Refurbishment / Renovation from $3 million up to $10 million
- Commercial Refurbishment / Renovation from $10 million up to $25 million
- Commercial Refurbishment / Renovation from $25 million up to $50 million
- Commercial Refurbishment / Renovation over $50 million
- Commercial Fitout up to $5 million
- Commercial Fitout from $5 million up to $10 million
- Commercial Fitout over $10 million
- Prefabricated and Modular Commercial Project
- Commercial Trade Contractor of the Year
Housing Awards 2026
Display Home
- Display Home up to $500,000
- Display Home from $500,000 up to $750,000
- Display Home from $750,000 up to $1 million
- Display Home over $1 million
Individual Home
- Individual Home up to $450,000
- Individual Home from $450,000 up to $600,000
- Individual Home from $600,000 up to $750,000
- Individual Home from $750,000 up to $900,000
- Individual Home from $900,000 up to $1.25 million
- Individual Home from $1.25 million up to $1.5 million
- Individual Home from $1.5 million up to $2 million
- Individual Home from $2 million up to $2.5 million
- Individual Home from $2.5 million up to $3 million
- Individual Home from $3 million up to $4 million
- Individual Home from $4 million up to $5 million
- Individual Home from $5 million up to $10 million
- Individual Home over $10 million
Home Renovation Project
- Home Renovation Project up to $350,000
- Home Renovation Project from $350,000 up to $500,000
- Home Renovation Project from $500,000 up to $650,000
- Home Renovation Project from $650,000 up to $800,000
- Home Renovation Project from $800,000 up to $1 million
- Home Renovation Project from $1 million up to $2 million
- Home Renovation Project over $2 million
Other Housing
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys – 2 to 5 dwellings
- Medium Density up to 3 storeys – over 5 dwellings
- Best Use of Sloping Sites
- Best Use of Steel Frame Housing*
- Prefabricated and Modular Housing
- Excellence in Home Sustainability & Innovation
- Residential Trade Contractor of the Year
Specialty Awards 2026
- Best Residential Bathroom
- Best Residential Kitchen
- Best Residential Swimming Pool
- Excellence in Workplace Health & Safety
Individual Awards 2026
- Apprentice of the Year Award
- Rising Star Award
- Women in Building Award
Major Awards 2026
- President's Award
- Project of the Year Award
- House of the Year Award
A project/house must win its category to qualify for House or Project of the Year. The House of the Year, Project of the Year, President’s Awards, and discretionary awards are awarded at the judges’ discretion only.
Entry fees
Entries to each Housing & Construction Award 2026 category are listed below. Entry fees do not include tickets to Housing & Construction Awards presentation ceremonies.
All supporting documents must be submitted to Master Builders on or before the closing date to qualify for the Awards. See our Conditions of Entry and Photography Requirements.
Category & entry fee
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Entry checklists
Housing Awards entry checklist
What you’ll need
- Your company details
- Membership number, QBCC licence, ABN and registered company name, postal address, phone numbers, and any registered trading names.
- Project details
- Approved project name*, project street address, completion date, and final contract price.
- *Project names cannot include street numbers, addresses or company name.
- A detailed description of the project of 100-500 words – this can be provided as a file upload. Additional project information should be included as an attachment.
- Approved project name*, project street address, completion date, and final contract price.
- Final Inspection Certificate (Form 21 or Form 11 as applicable)
- To be eligible for the Awards, all project entries must have reached practical completion and been inspected by the certifier no earlier than 1 December 2024, and no later than 1 March 2026.
- Contract page/s showing the contractor details (including QBCC licence number), ‘owner/contracted person’, total contract value, property address, as well as signature/agreement pages by both parties.
- The total contract value cannot be reduced to enter a lower price awards category by separating the value of associated insurable work from the primary insurable work performed under the contract.
- For example, the value of associated insurable work such as concrete driveways, landscaping, fencing and security cannot be removed from the total contract value. Associated and primary insurable work are as defined by section 67WC of the QBCC ACT 1991.
- In the event that a home has been built without a contract (e.g. a builder constructing their own home) the home must be entered into the category that best represents the cost of what would have been quoted for a client prior to the commencement of the build, and must also take into consideration time frames and potential variations that may have increased the cost throughout the construction period.
- Evidence of the build cost must be provided in the form of a client quote on letterhead or a Home Warranty Insurance Certificate. If supplying a quote, it must be reflective of the market at the time of construction, including labour, builders margin, fixtures, fittings and other contributing costs.
- Variation documents – if applicable. The listed final contract price must match the contract + variations.
- One good quality A4 or A3 size floor plan.
- Signed Authorisation Form - member, owner, and photographer signature (Note: Owner section not required for Display Home categories).
- You will need to confirm (via checkbox) that no serious injuries or deaths occurred onsite during construction.
- You will need to confirm (via checkbox) that there are no outstanding debts or complaints relating to the project.
Commercial Awards entry checklist
What you'll need
- Your company details
- Membership number, QBCC licence, ABN and registered company name, postal address, phone numbers and any registered trading names.
- Project details
- Approved project name*, project street address, completion date and final contract price.
- *Project names cannot include street numbers, addresses or company name.
- Detailed description of project of 100-500 words – this can be provided as a file upload. Additional project information should be included as an attachment.
- Final Inspection Certificate (Certificate of Occupancy - Commercial)
- To be eligible for the awards, all project entries must have reached practical completion and been inspected by the certifier no earlier than 1 December 2024, and no later than 1 March 2026.
- Contract page/s showing the contractor details (including QBCC licence number), ‘owner/contracted person’, total contract value, property address, as well as signature/agreement pages by both parties.
- Variation documents – if applicable. The listed final contract price must match the contract + variations (incl. GST).
- One good quality A4 or A3 size floor plan.
- Signed Authorisation Form (member, owner and photographer signatures).
- Design Rights (if not owned by the company, a signed statement from the person who owns the rights).
- You will need to confirm (via checkbox) that no serious injuries or deaths occurred onsite during construction. Additional information may be required.
- You will need to confirm (via checkbox) that there are no outstanding debts or complaints relating to the project.
- If entering Health, Education, Tourism & Leisure, Sporting, Retail, Community Service or Community Accommodation categories, you cannot enter the same project on a Commercial Refurbishment / Renovation category. Please enter your project in the most relevant category.
Specialty Awards entry checklist
What you will need
- Your company details
- Membership number, QBCC licence, ABN and registered company name, postal address, phone numbers and any registered trading names).
- Project details (approved project name*, project street address, completion date and final contract price)
- *Project names cannot include street numbers, addresses or company name.
- Detailed description of project (100-500 words – this can be provided as a file upload). Additional project information should be provided as an attachment.
- Final Inspection Certificate (Form 21) where applicable or Final Inspection Certificate Swimming Pools (Form 17).
- To be eligible for the awards, all project entries must have reached practical completion and been inspected by the certifier no earlier than 1 December 2024, and no later than 1 March 2026.
- Swimming pools must have been registered with the QBCC. Proof may be required.
- Contract page/s showing the total contract value and the name of the ‘owner/contracted person’.
- One good quality A4 or A3 size floor plan.
- Signed Authorisation Form (member, owner and photographer signatures).
- Design Rights (If not owned by the company, a signed statement from the person who owns the rights).
Individual Awards entry checklist
What you will need
- Your company details (membership number, QBCC licence, ABN and registered company name, postal address, phone numbers and any registered trading names).
- Nominee details (direct email and phone details).
- Written responses in the space provided (not as an attachment) outlining how the nominee meets each of the judging criteria.
- Signed Authorisation Form with member and photographer signatures.
- Testimonials from trade contractors/suppliers, employers, teachers, industry peers and clients.
- Testimonials and summary of business model/strategy to demonstrate financial viability.
FAQs
General questions
- Do I have to be a Master Builders member to enter?
Yes, please reach out to your local Master Builders office to find out about membership or email membership@mbqld.com.au.
- We are based in Brisbane, but our project was completed on the Gold Coast. Which region do we enter?
The project is entered in the region it is completed in. In the above example Gold Coast is the correct region. Please refer to the Postcodes for Regional Division table when starting your entry in Award Force.
- Which category is my project best suited to?
Please refer to the Entry handbook, where you’ll find the category descriptions and examples of appropriate projects to enter. If you are unable to determine from here, then please email awards@mbqld.com.au for assistance.
- Can the same project be entered into multiple categories?
Yes, only if the project meets the criteria of each category.
Please note that a renovation of a commercial property cannot enter both renovation and another category. You must choose which category the project is best suited to and enter it there. For example, a Pub renovation can either enter Retail Facilities or Commercial Renovation.
This does not apply to a fitout contract.
- What is the project completion eligibility date for the 2026 Awards?
To be eligible for the Awards, all project entries must have reached practical completion and been inspected by the certifier no earlier than 1 December 2024, and no later than 1 March 2026.
- I don’t want the business name that’s listed on the QBCC register to be what I enter the project under.
Entering under the correct business name is one of our terms and conditions.
If the business goes by a different trading name, this can be noted down in your Award Force entry, however this must match your Master Builders account exactly. Please check your Master Builders Membership and email membershipenquiries@mbqld.com.au if you want to add your Trading Name.
- I can’t upload my multiple variation/contract documents.
The system will only allow one document per upload document box. If you have multiple documents, please merge and upload them as one. You can do this if you have an Adobe Pro account, or there is a free website called ILOVEPDF where you can easily merge the documents before uploading to Award Force as one.
- What is printed on the Individual category trophies? Is it just the individuals name?
All individual categories (Women in Building, Rising Star, Apprentice of the Year) trophies are printed with both the Individual’s Name and the Business / Company Name.
- Can I find out how many other entries are in a particular category before I decide whether to enter the Awards?
No, we do not share this information.
- Can I pay via invoice?
All entries must be paid by credit card through the Award Force portal as you are submitting your entry. If you have questions on this, please contact awards@mbqld.com.au.
- Can I order another trophy?
Yes, you can place an order for an additional trophy at your own cost. Please contact awards@mbqld.com.au following your win for the relevant trophy form.
- When do Award ceremony tickets go on sale?
Event tickets will go on sale approximately 10 – 12 weeks ahead of the event. The contact listed on the entry in Award Force will receive an email advising of ticket sale details. Details will also be listed on our What's on webpage.
- I have submitted my entry, what now?
Our Master Builders team will be in contact should we have any queries regarding your entry. If your entry is approved, the team will be in contact to confirm the date and time for our judges to come and view your project.
- Do I get notified if I am a finalist in my Regional awards?
If you receive an email from the Awards team advising your entry is approved, you are in the running! We encourage all our entrants to attend the Awards night.
Eligible winners from regional awards will proceed as a finalist in the Queensland Awards. The Awards team will be in contact after your regional win to advise if you are proceeding through to the Queensland Awards.
- If I don’t attend the Awards night, can I still win?
Yes, you can still win even though you are unable to attend the event. The regional Master Builders team will be in contact post Awards night to congratulate you and will confirm when your trophy will be available for collection.
Award Force questions
- I have submitted my entry; can I still go back in and make changes prior to the closing date?
Once the entry is submitted, you cannot go back in and edit the entry unless allowed by Master Builders Staff. This is to ensure the Master Builders team can start reviewing entries as soon as possible to approve entries and arrange judging. Should you need to change or add something in the entry, please contact your local Master Builders office, so the regional team can assist.
- I’ve forgotten my password or can’t log in.
Are you trying to log into the members section of our website instead of Award Force? If so, try logging in via our Entering the Awards webpage.
If you have forgotten your password, you can follow the above and click forgot password. You will need to use the same email address as previous years. If that email address is no longer in use, you will need to set up a new account.
Photo uploads
- Why do I need 5-10 photos when entering an individual category? Isn’t one headshot enough?
The system has a requirement of at least 5 photos, so we encourage you to include a professional headshot as well as action shots/photos of the individual working on the job. This is a necessity for the winner’s video at the Awards night, too. - I can’t upload my photos as they are below the 1.5MB minimum requirement.
Photos below the minimum 1.5MB will be blurry when displayed on the screen at the awards night. We recommend that at least the HERO shot, and 4 landscape photos are uploaded in High Resolution to ensure we can use the photos for production. If the low-res photos are the before shots of a renovation, please include these in a word document and upload in the final document box of the Supporting Documents tab in your entry. These photos will only be used for judging purposes.
- I won’t have my professional photos done in time…can I add these later?
We can accept professional photos after entry submission but before judging commences. In the meantime, you will need to upload other photos or an attachment to say ‘photos will be sent by xxxx (date)’ to get through the system requirement and submit the entry. Please contact your local office for more specific date deadlines, as all regions have different judging schedules.
Construction questions
- I have a construction project with only a ‘letter of acceptance’ as my contract – will this suffice?
Normally no, however, there are some circumstances where this may be accepted. Please email the document and price breakdown to awards@mbqld.com.au so the team can assist.
- I have a tourism entry which is a large-scale renovation - can this be entered into a Renovation/Refurbishment category as well as Tourism and Leisure Facilities?
No, you cannot enter the project into both a Renovation/Refurb category as well as the Tourism and Leisure Facilities category – you must choose the most relevant category to enter this project into.
Housing questions
- The house was sold; do I need to upload/use the sale price as the contract price?
No, the sale price is irrelevant to the entry. You need to upload the contract for the home and use the contract price in the entry to dictate the pricing category this falls within.
- I am entering a Display Home, so I don’t have a contract.
Please upload a quote/relevant information for the home as if it was built for a consumer. This quote needs to be relevant as time of build and will dictate the pricing category the entry falls into. This includes all fixtures, fittings, labour and other relevant costs.
- Does an entry have to be part of a Display Village to be eligible to enter the Display Home categories? I have built a display home in a normal residential area – should this go in Individual Home or Display Home category?
No, the entry does not need to be part of a Display Village to be eligible to enter the Display Village category. However, you do have to show evidence of this house being used as a Display Village in the entry – this can be a link to the website with display village listing and open times, or marketing material etc.
In this example the house is eligible for Display Home categories – a display home cannot be entered into Individual Home.
- The homeowner doesn’t want their address listed anywhere in the entry.
We do not publicly share the street address - we need the address for judging purposes only. In Award Force there is a section where you can specify any details that are to remain private (names, suburbs, etc). These details can be included in the entry however they will not appear anywhere publicly if the entry wins. E.g. Owner doesn’t want their suburb known – we will change the Project Suburb to Region on the winner’s screen (instead of Noosa it will read Sunshine Coast).
- The Homeowners are ok with property being entered into the Awards but don’t want judges coming into their house. Can the property be judged by photos?
It is highly recommended projects be inspected in person. It allows our judges to properly inspect the workmanship and get a feel for the property. If there is no option to inspect, judging will take place online. In some instances, where time permits, the judges may set up a call with the entrant to give them a chance to talk through the project.
- Are all bathrooms/kitchens/pools automatically entered into those categories when entering a home?
No, they are not. There is an option for the entrant to tick a box on their submission if they would like to be included in these categories.
Please note: Medium Density, Prefabricated and Modular Homes, and Sustainable Living categories are not eligible for the Specialty categories.
- Member is entering Best Bathroom and Best Kitchen specialties, and the contract has the kitchen and bathroom lumped into the house contract. Do they need to extract/highlight from the inventory list the kitchen and bathroom costs and use this as the contract amount?
No, they do not need to extract the specific price of the bathroom or kitchen for the specialty entries. As long they can be seen as included in the contract, this is fine to upload the whole contract and use the house contract price for the entry.
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