The Welding Excellence Awards exist for one reason: to make sure the people and businesses doing outstanding work in Australian welding and fabrication get the recognition they've earned.
Today we're announcing a change to how we deliver on that.
The State Welding Excellence Awards scheduled for October and November 2026 will move to February and March 2027, where they will return as the Welding Excellence Awards Summer Series.
We have extended the nomination closing date to Friday 6 November. For more information on how to enter, click here.
Every nomination already submitted carries forward automatically.
It is a demanding period for our industry. Cost pressures, workforce shortages and skills gaps are real, and for most of our members the priority right now is getting the work out the door.
We understand that. We also understand that sitting down to write an Awards nomination — telling the story of a project, an apprentice or a business properly — takes time that a lot of people simply haven't had this year.
We want the Awards to reflect the full breadth of what's happening across Australian welding and fabrication. So, we're giving industry more time.
We could have moved the same events a few months to the right. We decided that would be a wasted opportunity. Instead, we're using the additional lead time to look at the Awards as a whole:
The nomination process: making it easier to tell a good story without needing a marketing department.
The categories: making sure they reflect the work, the skills and the people that matter to this industry today.
Finalist recognition: recognising the strength of the field, not just the name in the envelope.
The event experience: venues, format, and far more room for genuine industry connection.
Longer term, we want to create a pathway from state-based recognition through to national recognition, bringing the best of the state winners together on a national stage.
We're developing that model now, and will have more to say about it during 2027.
If you've already submitted a nomination: your submission is safe. It carries forward automatically and will be judged as part of the Summer Series. There is nothing you need to resubmit, and no further action required.
If you haven't nominated yet: you now have more time. Nominations are now due by Friday 6 November 2026.
If you're a sponsor or partner: we are speaking with each of our partners directly about what the change means for their involvement.
Industry Drinks continue: Our Industry Drinks events will run as planned around the country. They remain an important part of how we connect our members and the wider industry, and they sit alongside the Awards rather than replacing them.
State dates and venues for the Summer Series are being finalised and will be announced shortly.
We're asking the industry one question: Who deserves to be recognised?
Some of the best people in this industry will never nominate themselves. The apprentice who's turning into something special. The welder whose work speaks for itself. The trainer who has changed the direction of a dozen careers. The project that solved a problem everyone said couldn't be solved. The business quietly doing it properly, year after year.
If someone comes to mind, don't assume we already know about them.
Nominate now or get in touch at events@weldaustralia.com.au and we'll help you put them forward.
For more information on the Awards and how to enter, click here.