The Women in Industry Awards will return in 2026 to celebrate the achievements of women who are shaping the future of Australia’s industrial sectors.
Recognising leaders across mining, engineering, manufacturing, transport and energy, the Women in Industry Awards continues to spotlight women driving innovation, leadership and meaningful change across traditionally male-dominated industries.
Winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 18 June 2026 at Doltone House Darling Island Wharf, marking a new chapter for the program as it relocates from Melbourne to Sydney.
The move reflects the continued growth of the awards and their expanding reach across Australia’s industrial sectors.
“This move makes sense for the direction of the awards; the industry is growing so naturally we wanted to expand the awards program to accommodate to a wider audience,” Molly Hancock, Head of Marketing – Events at Prime Creative Media, said.
Now recognised as one of the premier industry events celebrating female leadership, the awards honour women whose leadership, innovation and commitment have delivered measurable impact within their organisations and across the broader industry. From engineering and manufacturing to commercial road transport and process control, the program recognises individuals who are not only excelling in their fields but also helping pave the way for future generations.
The 2026 program will feature 16 award categories, including four new additions designed to better reflect the diversity of roles and expertise across modern industry.
The categories include: Rising Star of the Year; Business Development Success of the Year; Industry Advocacy Award; Mentor of the Year; Safety Advocacy Award; Excellence in Manufacturing; Excellence in Transport; Excellence in Engineering; Excellence in Mining; Excellence in Construction; Excellence in Energy; and Woman of the Year. The new categories are: Marketer of the Year; Excellence in Health and Medicine; Tradeswomen of the Year; and Rising Women in Leadership: C-Suite Executive Award.
“To accompany the new location, these new awards were created to align with the growing industry and will bring more opportunity to celebrate success,” Hancock said.
The coveted Woman of the Year award will again be selected from the winners of the other categories, recognising the individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and influence across the industry.
The awards program also highlights the importance of visible role models within sectors where female representation has historically been limited. By celebrating success stories from across the country, the initiative aims to inspire the next generation of professionals while encouraging organisations to foster inclusive and innovative workplaces.
The success of the awards is reflected in the calibre of past winners. At the 2025 ceremony, held in Melbourne, Suzanne Shipp from APA Group received the Excellence in Energy award. Working in operations and maintenance, Shipp leads 550 professionals managing a $26 billion portfolio and delivering 99.9 per cent gas transmission reliability. Reflecting on the award, Shipp spoke about the importance of mentorship and industry support.
“This recognition belongs not just to me, but to every woman that has paved the way, and also to every man who has advocated for us. I want to thank my mentors who have believed in me when I have probably doubted myself, to my APA group colleagues who are here to celebrate with me tonight, but also who have supported me along the journey, and to my family who have encouraged me to pursue my passion despite the obstacles and the challenges along the way,” she said.
“Once upon a time, I would have been the only woman standing here, and so I’m proud today to be standing around such a group of inspirational, amazing, highly talented and capable women. We bring fresh perspectives, we bring innovative solutions, and that’s what our industry needs to solve complex problems.”
With strong industry backing, including principal partner Atlas Copco Group for 2026, the Women in Industry Awards continues to grow in scale and influence. As the program expands with new categories and a new location, it reinforces a central message: recognising excellence today helps create new opportunities for tomorrow’s industry leaders.
Purchase tickets here https://womeninindustry.com.au/attend/
