Finalists for the ARBS 2026 Awards have been unveiled, spotlighting leading projects, products and professionals across Australia’s HVAC&R, building services and technology industries.

This year’s program drew nearly 100 nominations – the largest submission round in the Awards’ history – reflecting both the scale of participation and the growing depth of innovation and talent across the sector.

“The response to this year's program had set a new benchmark for the Awards,” says Amanda Searle, CEO, ARBS Exhibitions. “The quality and breadth of entries was exceptional, from major infrastructure projects to emerging tradespeople and innovative new technologies. It's a genuine reflection of the talent and ambition that exists right across our industry and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate these finalists at ARBS 2026.”

The ARBS Awards are structured across two streams: The ARBS Industry Excellence Awards recognise standout achievements in products, projects and education initiatives, while the ARBS Future Leader Awards highlight emerging professionals who are shaping the future of the industry.

Daikin returns as Platinum Partner for the Industry Excellence Awards. In addition, the ARBS Foundation will award four scholarships valued at $5,000 each to Future Leader Award recipients, supporting their continued professional development.

ARBS Industry Excellence Awards – Shortlist

Education & Training Excellence Award

UEERA0098: Inspect, Test and Repair Fire & Smoke Control – Superior Training Centre
UEERA0097: Overview of Daikin VRV Systems – Daikin
VAE Apprentice Training Program – VAE Group
Precise Air Aboriginal Pathways (PAAP) Program – Precise Air Group Pty Ltd

HVAC Product Excellence Award

ECU45DV Dual-Voltage Environmental Control Unit – Cold Logic
CO2 Hot Water Heat Pump – Daikin
Braemar Dominator Series – Seeley International
OMICRON Zero HVAC Unit – Eurothermal

IBTech Product Excellence Award

AI Powered Building Intelligence Platform – Bitpool
Refrigerant Leak Detection Solution – Bueno Analytics
Intelligent Maintenance Platform – Airmaster
Data-Driven Maintenance Solution – Bueno Analytics

IBTech Project Excellence Award

Intelligent Environmental Monitoring (Regulated Site) – Bitpool & Envirocal
255 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW – IFM Investors, CopperTree Analytics & Exergenics
123 Albert Street, Brisbane QLD – VAE Group
Woolworths Portfolio AI Integration – Bueno Analytics & Woolworths’ Energy Management Centre

Major Project Excellence Award (Over $5 million)

Queen’s Wharf Integrated Resort, Brisbane QLD – Ellis Air
Sydney Metro Martin Place, NSW – AG Coombs
Cabravale Club Resort, Cabramatta NSW – Superior Air
Cultural Institutions Collections Storage Facility, SA – O’Connors

Minor Project Excellence Award (Under $5 million)

Kelvin Grove Thermal Energy Project, QLD – NorthWest Healthcare
Eastland Shopping Centre Stage 1 Chiller Replacement, VIC – Airmaster
Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre Upgrade, NSW – PACE Services
Scentre Group Multi-Asset Retail Centre Intelligent Building Analytics – Bueno Analytics & Scentre Group

Refrigeration Product Excellence Award

ii915 Acoustic Imager – Fluke Australia
CO2 Scroll Refrigeration Units – Copeland
Panasonic Transcritical CO2 (TCO2) Outdoor Condensing Unit – Hussmann Australia
DST G300 Gas Sensor – Danfoss Sensing Solutions

ARBS Future Leader Awards – Shortlist

Young Achiever Award

Joshua Budd – Bellarine & Westcoast Refrigeration
Muhammad Izzul Hakimi bin Roslan – CAMS AssetHub
Finn Veeneklaas – WSP

HVAC&R Tradesperson Award

Dylan Bryon – TVHS
Corren Cox – Carve Industries and Electrical
Adam Morgan – Clements Airconditioning Refrigeration and Electrical
Jaimee Van Leerdam – D&E Air Conditioning

Outstanding Female in Industry Award

Tahlia Agnew – SP&R Air Conditioning
Manasa Marasani – GWA Consultants
Deepika Naicker – Actron Air
Jess Thomson – Bueno Analytics

Winners will be announced at the ARBS Industry Excellence Awards Gala Dinner and the ARBS Future Leaders Forum, both scheduled to take place as part of ARBS 2026 in Melbourne this May.

Images: Supplied

Architecture News & Editorial Desk

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