2026 Australian Organic Industry Awards
Proudly brought to you by Australian Organic Limited
Kicking off Australian Organic Awareness Month, the 2026 Organic Industry Awards honours excellence across Australia’s certified organic sector and showcases the outstanding achievements of products, individuals, brands and businesses.
Showcasing the best of certified organic
Be part of the biggest celebration of organic excellence in Australia, where innovation, dedication, and impact are recognised on a national stage. Enter your own work, champion someone else’s, cheer on your industry, and join us for the party of the year. There’s never been a better time to put certified organic in the spotlight.
Enter the awards
Recognising outstanding achievements and talent.
Celebrate with us
Join the industry's biggest party of the year.
A fresh approach
Fresh perspective on tradition and excellence.
unmatched opportunities
Boost visibility and industry-wide recognition.
Key Dates
Applications Close: Sunday 2 August 2026
Public Voting Open: Monday 3 August 2026
Finalists Announced: Monday 17 August 2026
Winners Announced at Awards Night: Wednesday 2 September 2026 from 6:30pm
Celebrate with Us
Join us for an unforgettable night at the Organic Industry Awards, where industry leaders come together to celebrate excellence and impact.
When: Wednesday 2 September 2026
Where: Glasshaus Brucke, Melbourne
the award categories
The 2026 Australian Organic Industry Awards feature refreshed categories that reflect the evolving landscape of the organic sector, recognising a broader range of contributions across products, people, and innovative practices. Enter any award category for yourself, your business, your products or nominate an industry champion!
Put forward the makers behind your favourite organic products, the brand you swear by, the person you admire, or your favourite place to shop or eat. This is your chance to see the people and products you believe in celebrated on the industry’s biggest night.
Awards marked [INDUSTRY/PUBLIC VOTE] are decided by public voting once applications close, so when the vote opens, get behind the products you love. All other awards are assessed by our judging panel.
Industry awards
Certified Organic Brand of the Year
Recognises an established certified organic brand that leads on identity, market presence and consumer engagement. Nominate a brand you love or enter this if your brand is well recognised and you can show consistency, trust and connection with organic consumers across marketing and operations. A strong entry demonstrates a clear brand story, measurable market performance, and genuine resonance with your audience. If your standout work is a single campaign, enter Certified Organic Campaign of the Year instead; if you are newly established, consider Emerging Organic Business of the Year.
Certified Organic Campaign of the Year
Celebrating a campaign—big or small—that successfully raised awareness, education, or engagement with the broader market. Enter this if you have a single, defined campaign with a clear start and end, or nominate one that caught your eye and deserves a wider audience. A strong entry sets out the objective, the creative and channels used, the audience reached, and measurable results such as reach, engagement, sales or behaviour change. This is about one campaign, not your brand overall, which belongs under Certified Organic Brand of the Year.
Certified Organic Innovator of the Year
Honouring an operator, individual, or business leading positive change through innovation in production, product, or systems. Enter this if you have introduced something original or nominate an innovator whose work is moving the sector forward, rather than doing established things well. A strong entry explains what the innovation is, why it is new, and the practical impact it has delivered or promises for the organic industry.
Emerging Certified Organic Business of the Year
Awarded to a new or fast-growing certified organic business demonstrating exceptional potential, passion, and industry contribution. Nominate a rising business you’re excited about, or enter this if your business is newly established or recently certified and you want recognition for a strong, fast start. A strong entry shows growth since launch, a clear commitment to organic integrity, and early impact on customers, community or category. Best suited to younger businesses rather than established brands, which should look at Certified Organic Brand of the Year.
Certified Organic Retailer of the Year
Recognises a retailer, in store or online, that champions certified organic and makes it easier for Australians to buy. Nominate your favourite place to shop organic or enter this if you sell certified organic products and can show commitment through range, sourcing, staff knowledge and customer trust. A strong entry demonstrates the breadth and integrity of your organic range, how you promote it, and the difference you make to organic sales and awareness. Hospitality venues should enter Organic Restaurant, Cafe or Bar of the Year instead.
Certified Organic Restaurant, Cafe or Bar of the Year [NEW]
Recognises a hospitality venue that puts certified organic produce at the heart of its menu. Nominate your favourite place to eat and drink organic, or enter this if you are a restaurant, cafe or bar and can show genuine organic sourcing across your food and drinks. A strong entry demonstrates sourcing integrity, a memorable offering, and how you build organic awareness with diners. Retailers selling packaged goods should enter Organic Retailer of the Year instead.
Certified Organic Exporter of the Year [NEW]
Recognises a certified organic business succeeding in international markets. Enter this if you export certified organic products and can show growth and market development offshore, or nominate an exporter flying the flag for Australian certified organic abroad. A strong entry demonstrates export performance, the markets you have opened or grown, and how you carry the reputation of Australian certified organic abroad.
Individual awards
Certified Organic Hall of Fame [NEW - INDUSTRY/PUBLIC VOTE]
Recognising a person whose long-term contribution has shaped the Australian organic industry. This award celebrates a lifetime of leadership and dedication and is a legacy award for a body of work built over many years, not a single achievement. NEW Nominations are put forward by industry or a local community, with the winner decided by industry and public vote. Nominate someone you admire who is established with a lasting, industry-wide impact.
Certified Organic Producer of the Year (individual or couple)
Recognises a certified organic farmer, grower or farming couple making an exceptional contribution to sustainable agriculture, certification excellence, and community. Enter this if you produce certified organic food or fibre at the farm gate and can show excellence in practice, certification and community. A strong entry demonstrates sound organic practice, care for land, soil and livestock, consistent quality, and leadership among your peers. This award is about the producer, not a packaged product, which belongs in the Product Awards.
Young Certified Organic Champion of the Year
Recognises an emerging leader making their mark early in their organic career or journey. Enter this if you, or someone you nominate, is a rising talent showing initiative, outstanding promise and commitment to the future of certified organic. A strong entry shows what they have already achieved, the leadership or advocacy they have shown, and their commitment to the future of certified organic.
Certified Organic Auditor of the Year [NEW]
Recognising the professionalism, diligence, and industry contribution of a certification auditor who goes above and beyond in supporting operators and integrity. Enter this if you, or an auditor you nominate, has shown rigour, fairness and a real contribution to trust in the certified organic system. A strong entry shows the quality and consistency of their auditing, the relationships they build with operators, and how they strengthen confidence in certification.
Certified Organic Sustainability Champion of the Year [NEW]
Recognises an individual driving environmental leadership within the organic sector. Enter this if you, or someone you nominate, personally leads sustainability work that goes beyond standard practice. A strong entry shows measurable environmental outcomes, the initiatives they have led, and their lasting influence on how others operate. This award is about a person’s leadership; a business showcasing sustainable practice may be better suited to Organic Brand of the Year.
Certified Organic Beverage Product awards
Certified Organic Beverage Product of the Year
Recognising an outstanding certified organic beverage product with market impact, product integrity, and consumer appeal. The award for certified organic beverage of every kind, from non-alcoholic beverages such as juices, coffee, tea, and sodas to wines and spirits in all their varieties. Nominate a beverage you always reach for or enter a product you’re proud to make.
Certified Organic Food Product awards
Certified Organic Food Product of the Year
Recognising an outstanding certified organic food product with market impact, product integrity, and consumer appeal. The award for certified organic food products of every kind, from fresh produce, dairy, meat and pantry staples to snacks, protein products, and sweets. Nominate a food you can’t go without or enter a product you’re proud to make.
Certified Organic Non-Food Product awards
Certified Organic Health & Beauty Product of the Year
Recognises the best certified organic health & beauty products. For products we put on our bodies and build our wellbeing routines around, from skincare, haircare and cosmetics to personal and feminine hygiene and wellness supplements. Enter your own or nominate a product you swear by. A strong entry shows effectiveness, quality and certified organic ingredients – products made specifically for babies belong under Organic Baby or Infant.
Certified Organic Baby or Infant Product of the Year
Recognises the best certified organic product made for babies and infants, across food, skincare and other baby goods. Nominate a product you trust or enter this if your product is designed specifically for babies or infants. Nominate a product you trust with your little ones or enter a product you make. A strong entry shows the safety, care and quality parents look for.
Certified Organic Gardening Product of the Year
Recognises the best certified organic gardening product for home or community growers, such as potting mixes, composts, seeds or plant care. Enter this if your product helps people grow at home or nominate one that’s earned a spot in your shed. Farm-scale inputs belong under Organic Biological Input.
Certified Organic Biological Input of the Year
Recognises the best certified organic biological inputs for farming and production, such as soil conditioners, biofertilisers, biological pest management or seed and propagation material. Enter this if your product is a farm or production input rather than a consumer gardening product, or nominate a product you rely on season after season. A strong entry shows proven performance and a genuine fit for organic systems.
How to Nominate
Entering is your way into the celebration, whether you’re putting yourself forward or nominating someone you admire.
You will be asked to supply a copy of your valid organic certification, a business profile, and provide answers for each of the key selection criteria. A business profile should include a brief introduction (approx.150 words) including company name, location, product offering and number of employees.
Entry is $150 per Award category and includes a ticket to the Organic Awards and Industry Celebration on the evening of Wednesday 2 September, 2026 at Glasshouse Brucke, Melbourne.
Each of the awards are judged against the same set of criteria:
Impact and Contribution
This criteria is judged on tangible outcomes or influence delivered for the organic industry, community, or sector.
E.g. What specific actions or initiatives have you led or contributed to that created positive change in the organic sector? How has your work directly benefited the organic community, industry, or consumers? Can you provide evidence of measurable outcomes or lasting impact resulting from your efforts?
Innovation and Leadership
This criteria is judged on demonstrated innovation, forward-thinking, or leadership within the organic sector.
E.g. What innovative ideas, practices, or approaches have you introduced or championed? How have you demonstrated leadership or guided others within the organic sector? In what ways have you adapted to industry challenges or led new thinking?
Communication and Influence
This criteria is based on your demonstrated ability to communicate the value of organics to consumers, stakeholders, or peers.
E.g. How have you effectively communicated the benefits or importance of organics? Who have you influenced or educated through your messaging or outreach efforts? Can you share an example of a successful campaign, message, or initiative that raised awareness of organic values?
Sustainability and Future Focus
This criteria is judged on what tangible measures have been made to a sustainable future for people, planet, and industry.
E.g. What practices have you implemented to promote environmental, social, or economic sustainability? How does your work contribute to a long-term, sustainable future for the organic sector? Can you share examples of initiatives or strategies aimed at future-proofing your business, community, or the industry?
Noting some awards may require additional information – such as product awards (i.e. samples, product SKU etc.) The online application will prompt and provide examples to address the criteria.
Winners will be announced for the Organic Industry Award at Glasshaus Brücke, Melbourne on 2 September 2026.
Put Your Best Entry Forward: Award Application Support Online Sessions
Not sure where to start, or want to sharpen your entry? Join our team online for practical, friendly help with your Australian Organic Industry Awards nomination.
This session is your chance to have your questions answered and work through your entry with us, live. We’ll answer your questions about the nominations process and eligibility as they come up, then walk through the entry together, step by step. You’ll pick up tips and tricks from the team on what makes a stronger submission, hear directly from AOL staff and our CEO, and get insight from a past winner on what set their entry apart.