Award Categories
Australia’s Best Scaffolding Projects – Award Categories.
The Australia’s Best Scaffolding Project Awards is the premier annual competition run by the Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) to recognise and celebrate the very best in scaffolding design, execution, and innovation across the country.
As part of the 2025 competition, SAA Members are invited to nominate their standout projects for recognition at a national level.
This article provides a detailed overview of the seven award categories open for entry this year, helping members identify the most suitable category for their submission and understand the qualities each category seeks to reward.
Award Categories
There are seven award categories in 2025, each recognising excellence in different areas of scaffolding application and design:
1. Major Commercial Scaffolding Project of the Year
For large-scale commercial scaffolding projects that demonstrate innovation, technical complexity, and exceptional execution on significant construction sites.
2. Industrial Scaffolding Project of the Year
For projects in industrial environments such as mining, oil & gas, energy, and manufacturing, where safety, durability, and precision are critical.
3. Civil Scaffolding Project of the Year
Recognising excellence in scaffolding for bridges, tunnels, roads, and other civil infrastructure projects.
4. Innovation in Scaffolding
Celebrating unique and complex scaffolding solutions that push the boundaries of design, height, access, or technology. This category rewards creativity and problem-solving.
5. Best Small-Scale Scaffolding Project
For high-quality scaffolding on smaller sites – such as residential builds or compact commercial developments – that showcase efficiency, safety, and craftsmanship.
6. Best Aluminium Scaffolding Project
Honouring projects that showcase aluminium scaffolding design and installation at its best – with a focus on innovation, safety, and lightweight construction.
7. Best Scaffolding Design
Recognising exceptional scaffolding design – whether it’s a unique structural solution, a creative configuration, or a project that required custom design & engineering.
Judging Criteria
All entries will be assessed by the SAA’s state committees based on the following criteria:
Compliance with Safety Standards
Innovation of Design
Technical Considerations
Structural Integrity
Geographic and Installation Position Considerations
Ease of Assembly/Disassembly
Entrants are encouraged to address each of these areas in their submission.
Eligibility and How to Enter
The awards are open to SAA Scaffold Erector and SAA Designer Members. To enter, simply complete the official nomination form on the SAA website and provide:
The state in which the project took place
The award category being entered
A detailed description addressing the judging criteria
A minimum of three high-quality images
SAA Supplier and Engineer Members may collaborate on a project submission but cannot enter independently. Nominations must be submitted by an SAA Erector or Designer Member.
Awards, Recognition & Prizes
One state winner per category will be selected by each state committee.
State winners will automatically qualify for the National Awards.
All national finalists will be invited to attend Scaff25, where national category winners will be announced.
$1,500 will be awarded to each national category winner.
One project will be named the overall Australia’s Best Scaffolding Project and receive $3,000 plus the official trophy.
Key Dates
Entries Close: 30 September 2025
Category Winners Announced: 7 October 2025
Eligible Projects: Must have been completed in the year 2025
This competition is exclusive to SAA Members and is your chance to gain national recognition for the quality and innovation of your work.
Whether your project was big or small, standard or complex — if it reflects excellence, we want to see it.
Submit your nomination today and put your work on Australia’s scaffolding map!
