Why Enter?
Entering the Awards is your opportunity to showcase your hard work, gain industry recognition, and position your business as a leader in the landscaping profession. Winning or being a finalist can boost your credibility, attract new clients, and celebrate your team's achievements.
How to Enter
Entries for the 2025 Victorian Landscape Industry Awards open on 7 July 2025.
- Step 1: Choose your category and download the judging criteria sheet.
- Step 2: Prepare your supporting materials, including photos, documentation, and your new video walk-through (details below).
- Step 3: Submit your entry online before the closing date.
You can enter as many categories as you wish, provided your projects meet the criteria.
Entry Fees:
Early Bird: $165 per entry (offer ends 1 August 2025)
Full Price: $185 per entry
Not a Landscaping Victoria Member? Now’s the perfect time to join Landscaping Victoria so you can enter the Victorian Landscape Industry Awards.
View Entry Categories
New: Video Entry Requirement
A short project video is now a key part of your entry. This helps our volunteer judges better understand your project before the in-person judging stage and supports fair, accessible judging for all members, including those in regional areas.
🎥 Don’t stress about production. A simple walk-through filmed on your phone is perfect. We’re not judging your filming skills, just your project. Make sure your video clearly shows the elements listed in the entry criteria for your chosen category.
Need a hand? Explore our simple resources to help you film and upload your project video with ease:
Keep it simple: Your phone is perfect. Just make sure the lens is clean and your battery is charged.
Plan your route: Walk through your project in a logical order. Think about how you’d show your client or a colleague around. Start at the entry point and highlight key areas that meet the judging criteria.
Hold steady: Use both hands or rest your elbows on your body for stability. If possible, ask someone to help you film so you can point out features. You might even invest in a mobile phone tripod; you can pick those up for around $30.
Speak up: A short narration can help explain what judges are seeing. Keep your voice clear and talk about the elements that relate directly to the judging criteria. Just keep in mind, if you’re moving away from the phone/camera, your voice will fade, unless you’re using a microphone.
Check the lighting: Film during the day and avoid shooting directly into the sun.
How-To Video Resource:
10 Mobile Videography Tips For Beginners
Keep edits simple: You don’t need fancy software. Apps like Canva, iMovie, or Clipchamp let you trim clips and join sections together.
Focus on clarity: You don’t need background music or fancy transitions; clear footage is all that’s required.
Add context: If you prefer, you can add text labels on screen to highlight specific design or construction features. But this is not necessary.
Keep it concise: There’s no time limit, but aim to show everything needed without turning it into a feature film. Short, clear videos make the judging process smoother.
How-To Video Resources:
Canva Video Editor – COMPLETE Tutorial for Beginners!
iMovie Tutorial for Beginners 2025
How to edit videos with Clipchamp
Video Entry FAQs
Why is a video required as part of my entry?
The video helps our volunteer judges gain a better understanding of your project before the in-person judging stage. It ensures fair and accessible judging for all members, including those in regional areas.
What should I include in my video?
Your video should clearly showcase the elements listed in the entry criteria for your chosen category. A simple walk-through filmed on your phone is perfect.
Can I use a professional videographer?
Yes, but remember, we are not judging the production value of your video. Your video should clearly showcase the elements listed in the entry criteria for your chosen category. A simple walk-through filmed on your phone is perfectly fine.
How long should the video be?
We don’t have a set time limit, but we encourage you to keep it as concise as possible while covering the required criteria. Our judges appreciate videos that get straight to the point.
How do I submit my video?
Upload your video to a platform like YouTube or Vimeo as a private or unlisted video. Then, share the link with us in your entry submission. If you’re submitting multiple entries, please ensure you are sharing the correct video link in each entry.
Awards Timeline
- Entries Open: 7 July 2025
- Entries Close: 4 September 2025
- Judging Period: 8 September until 17 October 2025
- Gala Awards Night: Friday, 28 November 2025
Judging
Judging will commence on 8 September 2025.
Stage 1 Judging
Judges will review all submitted materials, including your project video, and use this information to determine the finalists. Only those selected as finalists will proceed to the next stage of judging, which includes an in-person site inspection.
Stage 2 Judging
If your project is selected as a finalist, a member of the judging panel will be in touch from mid-September to arrange your site visit. You are more than welcome to meet the judges onsite. However, you will be asked to vacate the space being assessed after speaking with you, in order to complete the judging process in private.
No extensions will be granted.
Entry Categories
Our awards cover a wide range of categories across design, construction, maintenance, and emerging talent. Whether you’re a boutique designer, a construction team, or a student apprentice, there is a category to showcase your work.
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: In both categories, evidence must be supplied that entrant has been providing maintenance on site for at least 12 months at the time of judging.
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: In both categories, evidence must be supplied that entrant has been providing maintenance on site for at least 12 months at the time of judging.
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: Entrant must be the author of the design
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: Entrant must be the author of the design
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: The emphasis is on design documentation only. This category is for non-real-life design projects. This is an opportunity for designers to create their own brief.
Each entry will be judged on design practices only, with no references to construction or built works.
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: The entrant must be the author/specifier/planner of the softscape design (and may also be the installer of the project.
Who can apply: Members who are first-time entrants to the awards & have been in business for less than 6 years, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: This is an Open category. There is no size restriction, no dollar restriction or category restriction. This category is to support and reward exceptional achievements in emerging Members.
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: Business or sub-contractor must hold RBP certification if required for the project entry.
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: Business or sub-contractor must hold RBP certification if required for the project entry.
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: Business or sub-contractor must hold a DB-L in Swimming Pool Construction
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: Business or sub-contractor must hold RBP certification to enter this category.
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: Business or sub-contractor must hold RBP certification to enter this category.
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: Business or sub-contractor must hold RBP certification to enter this category.
Who can apply: All LV Members, must hold a current paid membership.
Restrictions: The entrant MUST be the author of the design to enter, or the author/builder. Business or sub-contractor must hold RBP certification if the construction of the feature requires a Building Permit. Examples may include artwork, fountains, pools, architectural components, feature trees. Etc. A whole landscape is not considered a feature.
Who can apply: Supplier Members and Industry Partners
Restrictions: Voting is only open to LV Members, not general clientele of the Supplier businesses.
Who can apply: Open to apprentices who are employed by Landscaping Victoria Members.
Restrictions: Nominee must hold an active apprentice as at the 2nd of July, 2025. Previous winners of this Award are not eligible to be nominated. Previous entrants who did NOT win are eligible for entry, pursuant to still being an active apprentice as at 2nd July 2025.
Who can apply: Open to apprentices who are employed by Landscaping Victoria Members.
Restrictions: Nominee must hold an active apprentice as at the 2nd of July, 2025. Previous winners of this Award are not eligible to be nominated. Previous entrants who did NOT win are eligible for entry, pursuant to still being an active apprentice as at 2nd July 2025.
The Landscape of the Year award is not a category you can nominate to enter into - your project must be entered into other categories and have taken out a win in the category, following an Award of Excellence in grouped category to be shortlisted by the judges for consideration for top spot Landscape of the Year. Further details on eligibility and recognition of parties involved in a Landscape of the Year project can be found in the Terms & Conditions.
Life Membership Nomination
Life Membership is a special honour awarded by Landscaping Victoria, recognising individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to both the Association and the broader landscaping industry.
Nominees for Life Membership will typically meet the following criteria:
- A minimum of 10 years of active Landscaping Victoria membership, including consistent involvement in Association initiatives and a commitment that goes above and beyond, sustained over time.
- A significant contribution to the advancement of Landscaping Victoria and the landscape industry, demonstrated through the nominee’s time, knowledge, and expertise.
- A truly exceptional record of service to the Association and the industry.
Recipients of Life Membership will be announced at the annual Victorian Landscape Industry Awards Ceremony, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Contact us if you have any questions about Life Membership nominations.
Entries Open 7 July 25
Submit Your Entry
Ready to submit your entry? Each category has its own entry page with everything you need to know before you enter, including key information and your entry link.
To get started, scroll back up to Entry Categories above, select your category, and click the ‘Learn More & Enter’ button under that category.
You can enter as many categories as you wish, provided your projects meet the criteria for each.
Past Winners
Curious who took home the trophies in previous years? View our past winners and get inspired.
View Past Winners
FAQs - Victorian Landscape Industry Awards
What are the entry fees?
The entry fees are:
Early Bird: $165 per entry (offer ends 1 August 2025)
Full Price: $185 per entry
What is the judging process?
Entries are judged by senior members of Landscaping Victoria and independent industry experts, all of whom volunteer their time to support professionalism in the industry. Our judges take this role seriously and provide constructive feedback to help you grow.
Each project is assessed against clear, published criteria to ensure fairness while recognising that every project is unique. You can download the judging criteria for each category in advance so you know exactly what our judges will be looking for when reviewing your entry. You’ll find the criteria in the entry categories above.
When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced at the Gala Awards Night on Friday, 28 November 2025. Tickets to this event will go on sale soon and are strictly limited.
Have questions? Contact us, we’re here to help.
Align your brand with landscaping excellence at the industry’s biggest night of the year, the Victorian Landscape Industry Awards.
Each year, around 400 professionals from across Victoria’s landscaping sector gather to celebrate the very best in design, construction, maintenance, horticulture, and supplier service.
The audience includes:
- Victoria’s most talented landscaping professionals and their teams
- Suppliers of leading landscaping products
- Industry media representatives
- Supporters of the landscaping industry
As an event sponsor, you will enjoy benefits including:
- Brand presence on the night, with sponsor acknowledgement during event proceedings
- Your brand featured in pre-event advertising and communications, including social media, industry news, and event promotions
- Showcase your products amongst the best in the business
- Presenting Partner Sponsorship opportunities include your logo on pre and post-event collateral, branded category videos, and live presentation of your allocated award category on the night
Interested in sponsoring the Awards? Express your interest below, and our team will be in touch.
Express Your Interest in Sponsoring
