Terms and Conditions of entering the awards
| ELIGIBILITY: Entries are open to all financial Australian Cabinet & Furniture Association (ACFA) members and Kitchen and Bathroom Designers Institute of Australia (KBDi) members. Non-members are also eligible to enter; however, different entry fees apply. Projects must be completed at the time of nomination submission. Projects must have been completed between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2026. Projects awarded as Finalists or Winners in the 2025 ACFA Industry Awards are ineligible for submission and will be removed by ACFA before judging. | FINALIST DINNER ATTENDANCE: All finalists will be asked to attend the awards dinner. Winners must be in attendance at the ACFA Awards Dinner to be eligible to receive the award. Please contact the ACFA Events Team if you are a finalist and are unable to attend the Awards Dinner. |
| Workplace Champion Eligibility: Entry is open to individuals who are employed by the nominating business at the time of nomination. This category recognises the individual’s contribution to their current workplace. Nominations must be supported by evidence that outlines their achievements, impact and commitment within the business. | BEST FIRST TIME PARTICIPANT AWARD: All finalists in our design and project categories can go in the running to win this award if they are a first time entrant to the ACFA Awards. Applicants must have ticked the 'First Time Entrant' option within the entry form to be eligible. |
| APPRENTICE AWARD ELIGIBILTY: Entry is open to 2nd, 3rd and 4th year apprentices. Apprentices must be either enrolled or completed within the last 6 months under the ACFA workplace-based apprenticeship system OR their employer must be a financial ACFA Member. There is no restriction on entrants age. | Evidence Requirements: For all project entries, the total project cost will comprise the final build price including all Variations, Hardware and Benchtops (Excluding Appliances). All project and design submissions must include detailed plans and photographs/videos as evidence to demonstrate compliance with the judging criteria. |
| JUDGING PROCESS: All entries, except the Apprentice of the Year awards, will remain anonymous until the ACFA Industry Awards Dinner. All entries will be pre-judged by an independent panel of industry experts. Any entries, which in the opinion of the judging panel, belong in another category, will be re-categorised. No on-site inspections will be carried out by the judging panel. A minimum of three (3) entries must be received in each category before an award for that category can be presented. | HOW TO ENTER: All entries are to be submitted using the online ACFA Awards Nomination Forms: www.acfa.net.au/awards/2025-industry-awards/nominations/awards/nominations/ |
| The Design of the Year Award, Outstanding Achievement of the Year Award & Cabinetmaker of the Year Award will be judged from the winners of the various categories. | One entry per form. Multiple entries on one form will not be accepted. |
| The Outstanding Achievement Categories will be judged on supporting documentation evidence outlining their contribution to the workplace. The Outstanding Achievement Major Award Categories include: Apprentice of the Year & Workplace Champion of the Year. | PHOTOGRAPHY REQUIREMENTS DESIGN AWARD CATEGORIES: A maximum of ten (10) high resolution digital photographs per entry must be included. |
| Kitchen Innovation of the Year Major Award would be judged from the finalists within the existing kitchen categories and would draw directly on our current judging criteria, with a particular focus on technology, efficiency, and innovation. This allows us to recognise projects that are genuinely forward thinking in how they use materials, technology and space. | If the project entry is of a renovation or restoration, please include a minimum of one (1) before project photographs. |
| The Design of the Year Major Award is chosen from the winners of the following categories: Best Free-Standing Furniture, Best In-Built Furniture, Best Kitchen Design & Best Bathroom Design. | Please ensure you have approval from the owner, photographer or other relevant contributors to use these images and that the images do not infringe on the rights of the photographer or any other party. |
| The Cabinet Maker of the Year Major Award is chosen from the winners of the following: Best Kitchen (New Build & Renovation), Best Bathroom (New Build & Renovation), Best Commercial, Best Alfresco, Best Walk-in Robe & Best Laundry. | PHOTOGRAPHY REQUIREMENTS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: All entries in these categories are to submit one (1) high resolution digital individual photo of the nominee in the workplace. |
| JUDGING CRITERIA: The Categories are judged on the following criteria: Design | Functionality | Innovation. Please submit plans photographs as evidence that the judging criteria have been met. The Design Award Categories include: Best Free-Standing Furniture, Best In-Built Furniture, Best Kitchen Design & Best Bathroom Design. Project Awards include: Best Kitchen Project (New Build). Best Kitchen Project (Renovation), Best Bathroom Project (New Build), Best Bathroom Project (Renovation), Best Commercial Project, Best Alfresco Project, Best Walk-In Robe, Best Laundry Project | SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION: Supporting documentation relates to nominee portfolios, employer recommendations and customer testimonials. Supporting document must be provided on company letterhead in either word or PDF format. |
| The judging panels’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to. | ENTRY FEES: Entry fees are as specified on the online entry form as well as on the ACFA website: https://www.acfa.net.au/awards/2025-industry-awards/entry-fees/ |
| ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS: Winners will be announced at the ACFA Awards Dinner. | A tax invoice will be automatically issued on receipt of entry. Payment must be received within 7 days of submitting your entry. Failure to pay by due date may exclude the entry from judging. Full entry fee charges will apply from 1st June 2025. |
| Major Award Winners: Will be announced at the ACFA Awards Dinner. | EARLY BIRD ENTRY: Early bird entries fees are applicable as on the online entry form. Early Bird fees apply to entries and payment received by Midnight Friday 30th May 2025 |
| The ACFA Awards Dinner is to be held on Friday 18th September 2026 in the Grand Ballroom at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park from 6.30pm. | CLOSING DATES: Entries close for People Categories on 24th July 2026, with all other project categories close on 31st July 2025. Late Entries will ocurr a fee. |
| LODGEMENT OF ENTRIES: Entry forms are available online at: https://www.acfa.net.au/awards/2025-industry-awards/nominations/ | Apprentice of the Year Awards will be announced on Friday 18th September 2026 |
| CONTACT: For more information contact the ACFA Events team on 1300 342 248 or, awards@acfa.net.au. |
DECLARATION & PRIVACY POLICY
The Terms & Conditions the ACFA Industry Awards are strictly adhered to.
The primary purpose in collecting your information is for the nomination process for the ACFA Industry Awards. We may use the information you provide to help improve the services we deliver to you, measure interest in our services, inform you of other products and services or to comply with requirements under the law. We shall not otherwise disclose your personal information to any other party without your consent and we do not sell personal information to third parties.
- I declare that I am authorised to submit this entry
- I declare that I have the designer’s and owner’s permission to enter this Awards Competition.
- I declare that all images provided may be used by the association at its discretion without further authority being obtained.
- I declare that professional images taken at the event may be used for publicity purposes.
- I have read and fully understand the Terms & Conditions and understand my rights and responsibilities as a nominee.
- I consent to having my personal information being used in accordance with the privacy policy stated above.
- I declare that the information supplied on this form is correct and complete. Any false or misleading information in my entry will disqualify me from this competition.
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