Nominations Open For 2026 HVIA Awards

Start your nominations! Nominations are now open for the 2026 HVIA National Awards, and HVIA is inviting members to put forward the people, teams, projects and initiatives in their businesses that deserve national recognition. Nominations are open here and close Friday, August 7, 2026.

Every HVIA member business has stories worth celebrating. It might be an apprentice who is quickly becoming a leader in the workshop, a mentor who always makes time for others, a team that has delivered a smarter or safer solution, or a business investing in people, technology, sustainability or its local community.

The HVIA National Awards are designed to bring those stories forward.

Following a record number of nominations in 2025, including strong support for several new award categories, the awards have become an increasingly important opportunity to recognise excellence across every part of Australia’s heavy vehicle industry.

HVIA Chief Executive Todd Hacking says the awards are an opportunity for members to acknowledge the people and projects helping to build the industry’s future.

“The 2025 awards were a tremendous success, not only because of the record number of nominations, but because of the quality and diversity of the stories behind them,” he says.

“We saw member companies and individuals of all sizes and backgrounds recognised for their contribution to the industry, and the new categories helped shine a light on areas that are absolutely critical to our future – workforce development, mentoring, sustainability, innovation and community leadership.

“Every year, we see more examples of members investing in their people, developing better products and solutions, lifting safety standards, supporting their communities and helping build the future capability of our industry.

“The awards give us a way to recognise that work nationally, but it starts with members taking the time to nominate the people and projects that deserve to be seen.

“We know those stories are out there, and we are encouraging every member to look across their business and start their nominations.”

The awards are open to HVIA members and provide opportunities for both companies and individuals to be recognised, whether they are emerging in the first stages of their careers or already leading teams, programs and businesses.

The program has been designed to honour excellence at every level – from apprentices building their skills, to mentors supporting the next generation, to organisations investing in people, technology, safety, sustainability and community impact.

Pictured above (clockwise): Opened by HVIA CEO Todd Hacking, the 2025 HVIA National Awards were hosted by journalist and TV presenter Kendall Gilding and attended by key luminaries including the Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz

Apprentice Of The Year Awards
The apprentice awards recognise rising stars across three trade pathways:

► Heavy Vehicle Technician Apprentice of the Year: Recognising apprentices demonstrating outstanding technical skill, teamwork, initiative and leadership potential in servicing and repairing Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet.

► Heavy Vehicle Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year: Celebrating emerging tradespeople contributing to Australia’s world-class heavy vehicle and trailer manufacturing capability through fabrication, welding, assembly and related disciplines.

► Heavy Vehicle Specialist Trades Apprentice of the Year: Recognising outstanding apprentices in specialist fields such as auto-electrical, spray painting, panel beating, parts interpretation and other critical trades that support the performance of the industry.

The category winners will also be considered for the overall honour of Heavy Vehicle Apprentice of the Year.

Industry Workforce Champion
Behind every successful apprentice, trainee or emerging professional is often someone who has made the time to guide, encourage and support them.

The Industry Workforce Champion Award honours individuals within HVIA member companies who champion skills, careers and workforce development every day – whether as mentors, trainers, advocates, supervisors or leaders who help others thrive.

Industry Leadership In Workforce Development
Great businesses do not just hire talent – they grow it.

The Industry Leadership in Workforce Development Award recognises HVIA member organisations that are building the skilled workforce our industry needs for the future.

This may include structured apprentice programs, school engagement, mentoring, partnerships, workplace inclusion initiatives or broader strategies that help attract, develop and retain people in the heavy vehicle industry.

Sustainability Initiative Award
The Sustainability Initiative Award recognises HVIA members taking meaningful steps toward a more sustainable, circular, energy-efficient or low-emissions future.

This category is designed to celebrate practical action at any scale, from new technologies and customer solutions to waste reduction, recycling, energy efficiency, operational improvements and partnerships supporting industry transition.

Product Innovation Award
The Product Innovation Award recognises HVIA members bringing innovative products, features, systems or technologies to market to improve performance, safety, productivity, efficiency or sustainability.

Pictured above (clockwise): Jacinta Lane and David Morton of Airtec, 2025 Product Innovation Award winners; Kate Evans from Cummins, winner of 2025 Industry Workforce Champion Award; and VCV’s Isaac Rooney, 2025 Specialist Trades Apprentice of The Year

Whether it is a component, system, vehicle, trailer, piece of equipment or enabling technology, this award celebrates the ingenuity helping Australia’s heavy vehicle industry meet the demands of the modern freight task.

Safety Innovation Award
The Safety Innovation Award recognises new products, systems, practices or workplace solutions that are improving safety outcomes across the heavy vehicle industry.

From workshop improvements and operational systems to on-road technologies and design innovation, this category celebrates the people and ideas helping to keep workers, customers and communities safe.

Community Leadership Award
The Community Leadership Award celebrates HVIA members making a positive impact beyond their own business.

This may include support for local schools, charities, sporting clubs, road safety initiatives, industry promotion, diversity and inclusion programs or other efforts that strengthen the connection between the heavy vehicle industry and the broader community.

Why nominate?
A nomination is more than an award entry. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the people who make a difference, share the work your business is proud of, and help tell a stronger story about the capability, professionalism and future of the heavy vehicle industry.

Think about the people in your business who quietly set the standard, the teams who have delivered something worth sharing, or the projects that show what the industry can achieve when skill, commitment and practical innovation come together.

This year’s program offers opportunities for member businesses of all sizes, and for individuals at every stage of their career.

Whether your story is about teamwork, collaboration, mentoring, technical excellence, innovation, sustainability, safety, community contribution or the next generation coming through, HVIA encourages members to put forward the people and projects that deserve national recognition.

Nominations are now open here. Nominations close Friday, August 7, 2026.

Winners will be announced at the annual HVIA Gala Dinner to be on Thursday, December 3, 2026 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.