Nominations and submissions are now open for the Australian Defence Industry Awards 2026 with principal partner, Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
The most anticipated awards program of the year, the Australian Defence Industry Awards, is back to once again identify the top businesses and professionals in the defence industry across the nation.
To be held at the National Convention Centre, Canberra, on Thursday, 16 July 2026, the reimagined Australian Defence Industry Awards will shine a spotlight on the businesses, leaders and innovators driving Australia’s defence industry forward while also creating fresh pathways for growth at home and abroad.
More than a celebration of platforms and products, the awards program recognises the people and organisations strengthening the sector’s long-term capability – from enterprise businesses, SMEs, academic institutions, industry associations and, for the first time, system program offices within the Department of Defence through to executives, technicians, scientists, students, rising stars and established leaders.
Defence and aerospace lead, Momentum Media, Steve Kuper celebrated the launch of the reimagined awards program.
Kuper said: “Since launching the inaugural Australian Defence Industry Awards in 2019, the industry has evolved immensely. We have sought to reflect that with a host of new categories alongside providing avenues for greater participation and recognition of the important work the Department of Defence does in supporting the industry.”
As part of the expanded program, the Australian Defence Industry Accelerator is designed to help defence businesses unlock new opportunities in domestic and international markets, drawing on support from venture capital, Export Finance Australia and Team Defence Australia, ODIS, and wider government and business networks.
“The inaugural Australian Defence Industry Accelerator event is designed to provide the up and coming businesses with the knowledge, exposure and support they need to take on the world, supporting the Australian Defence Force and our allies,” Kuper added.
A total of 28 categories will be up for grabs in 2026, including eight individual awards and 20 group awards. Individual categories will again celebrate excellence across the sector, with honours such as Technician of the Year, Female Defence Leader of the Year, Engineer of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, and Academic of the Year.
Group categories will highlight organisations making a serious impact across the industry, including exciting new categories like AUKUS Partnership Award, Guided Weapons & Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Program of the Year, Test, Evaluation & Systems Assurance Award and System Program Office of the Year, alongside longstanding categories like Aerospace Program of the Year, Cyber Business of the Year, Veteran-Owned Business of the Year, Naval Program of the Year, and SME of the Year.
Open to businesses operating in Australia that support the defence supply chain, the awards have become one of the country’s most sought-after industry accolades, providing national recognition for those helping shape the future of Australian defence.
Kuper said: “This refreshed awards program recognises the evolution of Australia’s defence industrial base and the workforce that underpins this critical national capability. I would encourage anyone involved in the nation’s defence industry to nominate today!”
The winners will be announced at a black-tie and mess dress gala ceremony at the National Convention Centre, where attendees will also have the chance to connect with leading figures from across Australia’s defence ecosystem.
Submissions and nominations close on Friday, 8 May 2026.
You can review the categories here, and methodology here. Click here to find out how to write an awards submission.
Click here to see how to submit your application. For more information about the awards, click here.