Data Centres Australia

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Nominate your organisation, project or initiative today.
Seven award categories, shining a light on the very best of Australia’s dynamic data centre sector.
Please see below for full details and submit your nomination.

Nominations Open: Wed 1 July 2026

Nominations Close: Fri 21 August 2026

Gala Dinner: Tue 8 September, Crown Melbourne

How to enter

Choose a category
Review the judging criteria and the entry questions for any of the seven categories.

Download the entry form
Register your company and contact details to download the entry form for that category.

Draft with your team
Complete the form offline.

Submit online or by email
Return here to upload your completed form and supporting documentation, or simply email us.

Award Categories

Click to select your preferred Award Category with further details, selection criteria and entry forms.

Award Categories(Required)

Category 1

Data Centre of the Year

Our flagship award recognising Australia’s most exceptional data centre facility. Entries should demonstrate high achievement for an operational or delivered data centre facility across operational, design and engineering, sustainability, customer impact and market contribution aspects.

View criteria & entry form →

Category 2

Sustainability Excellence

Outstanding achievement in sustainable data centre development or operations. Recognising projects and operational facilities that take a holistic approach to sustainability spanning energy and carbon, water stewardship, circular economy and environmental management, and leadership and ambition.

View criteria & entry form →

Category 3

Innovation Achievement

Superior achievement in technology, process, design approach or solution in data centre design, construction or operation. Highlighting novel and high-performing innovations that have advanced how data centres are designed, built or operated. Judges will consider factors including novelty, impact, scalability and transferability, and Ingenuity.

View criteria & entry form →

Category 4

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

Best practice engagement with local communities, local government, utilities or other stakeholders. Shining a light on proactive engagement, transparency and responsiveness, positive impact and building understanding in the community.

View criteria & entry form →

Category 5

Workforce Development

Leading investment in skills development, training, career pathways or diversity and inclusion. Recognising initiatives that demonstrate organisational commitment and measurable execution to address industry needs, build workforce scale, and enhance inclusivity and diversity.

View criteria & entry form →

Category 6

Ecosystem Partner of the Year

The best sector contribution by a supplier, consultant, construction firm, engineering company or other ecosystem partner. Judges will consider sector impact, quality and reliability, innovation and value creation, and collaboration and effective partnerships.

View criteria & entry form →

Category 7

Industry Achievement Award

Peer-nominated, recognising an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian data centre sector. Recognising an individual who has contributed to broad industry development beyond their own specific organisational interests through advocacy, leadership and sector impact.

View criteria & entry form →

Category 0

All Categories

Industry Achievement Award

Peer-nominated. Recognising an individual whose contribution benefits the broader sector through advocacy, leadership and impact.

All nominations must relate to achievements, projects or contributions delivered in Australia during the eligibility period of 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026.
Nominations are open to all Data Centres Australia members and to non-member organisations operating in the Australian data centre ecosystem.
Self-nomination is permitted for categories 1 to 6. Our Industry Achievement Award (category 7) is peer-nominated only.
Judges will assess entries based solely on the information provided. Supporting detail and evidence are encouraged.

Download entry form Submit entry form

What the judges assess

Advocacy Beyond Their Organisation

Contribution benefiting the wider sector, not just their employer.

Sector Impact

Significance and measurable impact during the period.

Leadership by Example

Collaborative, generous, evidence-based leadership.

Peer Recognition

Strengthened by support from multiple individuals or organisations.

Entry

Download the entry form below, covering these key criteria.

Overview~250 words

Summary of your nomination and why this person is worthy of recognition.

Advocacy Beyond Their Organisation~250 words

Contribution that benefits the broader sector.

Sector Impact~250 words

Significance and measurable impact of their contribution.

Leadership by Example~250 words

The kind of leadership the industry needs.

Peer Recognition~250 words

Detail any additional nomination support.

Download entry form

Any questions? Please email us [email protected].

Ecosystem Partner of the Year

The best sector contribution by a supplier, consultant, construction firm, engineering company or other ecosystem partner.

All nominations must relate to achievements, projects or contributions delivered in Australia during the eligibility period of 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026.
Nominations are open to all Data Centres Australia members and to non-member organisations operating in the Australian data centre ecosystem.
Self-nomination is permitted for categories 1 to 6. Our Industry Achievement Award (category 7) is peer-nominated only.
Judges will assess entries based solely on the information provided. Supporting detail and evidence are encouraged.

Download entry form Submit entry form

What the judges assess

Sector Contribution

Significance and impact of the work on the Australian industry.

Quality & Reliability

Excellence and consistency of products or services.

Innovation & Value

Innovative solutions and improved value — including process innovation.

Collaboration & Partnership

Quality of relationships, responsiveness and long-term investment.

Entry

Download the entry form below, covering these key criteria.

Overview~250 words

Summary of your entry and its standout features.

Sector Contribution~250 words

Impact of the organisation’s work during the period.

Quality & Reliability~250 words

Excellence in quality, reliability and consistency.

Innovation & Value~250 words

New thinking and improved value for customers.

Collaboration & Partnership~250 words

Responsiveness, flexibility and knowledge sharing.

Download entry form

Any questions? Please email us [email protected].

Workforce Development

Leading investment in skills, training, career pathways or diversity and inclusion — with measurable execution.

All nominations must relate to achievements, projects or contributions delivered in Australia during the eligibility period of 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026.
Nominations are open to all Data Centres Australia members and to non-member organisations operating in the Australian data centre ecosystem.
Self-nomination is permitted for categories 1 to 6. Our Industry Achievement Award (category 7) is peer-nominated only.
Judges will assess entries based solely on the information provided. Supporting detail and evidence are encouraged.

Download entry form Submit entry form

What the judges assess

Scale & Commitment

Scope, duration, people involved and organisational investment.

Addressing Industry Needs

Tackling skills gaps, including the ~8,300 additional workers needed by 2030

Inclusivity & Diversity

Broadening participation across underrepresented groups.

Measurable Outcomes

Qualifications, employment, retention and progression.

Entry

Download the entry form below, covering these key criteria.

Overview~250 words

Summary of your entry and its standout features.

Scale & Commitment~250 words

Scope and depth of the initiative during the period.

Addressing Industry Needs~250 words

How it addresses specific sector skills gaps.

Inclusivity & Diversity~250 words

Programs broadening workforce participation.

Measurable Outcomes~250 words

Evidence of tangible results.

Download entry form

Any questions? Please email us [email protected].

Data Centre of the Year

Our flagship award recognising Australia’s most exceptional data centre facility — across operations, design and engineering, sustainability, customer impact and market contribution.

All nominations must relate to achievements, projects or contributions delivered in Australia during the eligibility period of 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026.
Nominations are open to all Data Centres Australia members and to non-member organisations operating in the Australian data centre ecosystem.
Self-nomination is permitted for categories 1 to 6. Our Industry Achievement Award (category 7) is peer-nominated only.
Judges will assess entries based solely on the information provided. Supporting detail and evidence are encouraged.

Download entry form Submit entry form

What the judges assess

Operational Excellence

Reliability, availability and performance; meeting or exceeding uptime commitments.

Design & Engineering

Quality of design and engineering, and how the facility suits its location, climate and customers.

Sustainability Performance

Energy and water efficiency, renewable procurement and environmental management.

Customer & Market Impact

Capacity delivered, customer outcomes and role in the digital infrastructure ecosystem.

Entry

Download the entry form below, covering these key criteria.

Overview~250 words

Summary and description of your entry, and the features that make it worthy of recognition.

Operational Excellence~250 words

Evidence of reliability, availability and performance during the eligibility period.

Design & Engineering~250 words

Design quality and engineering innovation: power, cooling, connectivity, physical security.

Sustainability Performance~250 words

Energy/water efficiency, renewable procurement and environmental management.

Customer & Market Impact~250 words

Capacity delivered, customer outcomes and contribution to the market.

Download entry form

Any questions? Please email us [email protected].

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

Best practice engagement with communities, local government, utilities or other stakeholders — proactive, transparent and impactful.

All nominations must relate to achievements, projects or contributions delivered in Australia during the eligibility period of 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026.
Nominations are open to all Data Centres Australia members and to non-member organisations operating in the Australian data centre ecosystem.
Self-nomination is permitted for categories 1 to 6. Our Industry Achievement Award (category 7) is peer-nominated only.
Judges will assess entries based solely on the information provided. Supporting detail and evidence are encouraged.

Download entry form Submit entry form

What the judges assess

Proactive Engagement

Early, genuine engagement beyond minimum requirements across planning, build and ops.

Transparency & Responsiveness

Open sharing of impacts and responsiveness to concerns and feedback.

Positive Community Outcomes

Tangible local benefits: employment, skills, infrastructure, environment.

Building Understanding

Helping the community understand what data centres are and why they matter.

Entry

Download the entry form below, covering these key criteria.

Overview~250 words

Summary of your entry and its standout features.

Proactive Engagement~250 words

Evidence of early, genuine engagement during the period.

Transparency & Responsiveness~250 words

How impacts were shared and feedback incorporated.

Positive Community Outcomes~250 words

Tangible benefits delivered to the local community.

Building Understanding~250 words

Tours, education, sessions, media or local partnerships.

Download entry form

Any questions? Please email us [email protected].

Innovation Achievement

Superior achievement in technology, process, design or solution. Judges weigh novelty, impact, scalability and transferability, and ingenuity.

All nominations must relate to achievements, projects or contributions delivered in Australia during the eligibility period of 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026.
Nominations are open to all Data Centres Australia members and to non-member organisations operating in the Australian data centre ecosystem.
Self-nomination is permitted for categories 1 to 6. Our Industry Achievement Award (category 7) is peer-nominated only.
Judges will assess entries based solely on the information provided. Supporting detail and evidence are encouraged.

Download entry form Submit entry form

What the judges assess

Novelty

A genuinely new approach deployed in the period — new to market or a clear advance.

Impact

Measurable impact on performance, efficiency, cost, reliability, sustainability or customers.

Scalability & Transferability

Potential for broader adoption, not a one-off fix.

Ingenuity

Creativity in overcoming constraints or reframing the problem.

Entry

Download the entry form below, covering these key criteria.

Overview~250 words

Summary of your entry and its significant features.

Novelty~250 words

How the innovation is new to the Australian market or a significant advance.

Impact~250 words

Measurable results — concepts/prototypes not eligible unless deployed.

Scalability & Transferability~250 words

Potential for broader sector adoption.

Ingenuity~250 words

Creativity of the approach and how constraints were overcome.

Download entry form

Any questions? Please email us [email protected].

Sustainability Excellence

Outstanding achievement in sustainable data centre development or operations, spanning energy and carbon, water, circular economy, and leadership.

All nominations must relate to achievements, projects or contributions delivered in Australia during the eligibility period of 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026.
Nominations are open to all Data Centres Australia members and to non-member organisations operating in the Australian data centre ecosystem.
Self-nomination is permitted for categories 1 to 6. Our Industry Achievement Award (category 7) is peer-nominated only.
Judges will assess entries based solely on the information provided. Supporting detail and evidence are encouraged.

Download entry form Submit entry form

What the judges assess

Energy & Carbon

Efficiency, renewable procurement, emissions reduction — measurable outcomes, not targets.

Water Stewardship

Water efficiency, recycled water, cooling advances, reduced potable use.

Circular Economy & Environment

Embodied carbon, e-waste, materials reuse, biodiversity — beyond compliance.

Ambition & Leadership

Going beyond business as usual and sharing learnings across the sector.

Entry

Download the entry form below, covering these key criteria.

Overview~250 words

Summary of your entry (organisation or initiative) and what makes it stand out.

Energy & Carbon~250 words

Measurable achievement in energy, renewables, emissions during the period.

Water Stewardship~250 words

Measurable improvement in water efficiency, recycling or cooling.

Circular Economy & Environment~250 words

Outcomes beyond compliance across materials, waste and environment.

Ambition & Leadership~250 words

How the approach sets a benchmark and influences industry practice.

Download entry form

Any questions? Please email us [email protected].

Submit your entry online

Prefer email? You can send your completed entry form and any supporting documents to [email protected].

Entry name(Required)

Organisation Name(Required)

Contact name(Required)

Contact Email(Required)

Upload your completed entry form(Required)

Completed entry form • Word (.docx)

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Evidence, charts, photos, slides • PDF, Word, images • up to 5 files, 10 MB each

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Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 5.