The PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) returns for its ninth edition in 2026 after two successful launches in Sydney and Melbourne, introducing new categories aimed at elevating real estate standards across the country’s booming urban centres.
This year’s winners will be recognised at the gala celebration of the 9th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) on Friday, 4 September 2026, at the Shangri-La Sydney.
Entries are now open until 10 July.
Key dates for the 2026 edition are:
- Today – Entries open
- 10 July – Entries close
- 28-31 July – Site inspections
- 4 September – Gala dinner and awards ceremony in Sydney, Australia
- 11 December – International grand final gala dinner in Bangkok, Thailand
Newly introduced categories include Best Condo Developer, Best Housing Developer, Best First Home Development, Best Wellness Hospitality Development, Best Marina Development, Best Landmark Development, Best Sales Gallery Interior Design, and Best Landmark Design.
The expanded programme aligns with transformative market dynamics taking place across cities from Melbourne to Sydney and Brisbane.
High-quality built spaces in urban centres nationwide continue to appeal to discerning domestic property seekers and cross-border investors, especially those from Southeast Asia.
Asia Connect in Australia
The launch of the 9th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) comes on the heels of two high-profile Asia Connect events in Melbourne and Sydney.
Asia Connect brought together thought leaders and industry professionals to discuss market trends set to impact the outlook of urban development in Australia.
From left: Watcharaphon Chaisuk, Senior Solutions Manager at PropertyGuru Group; Philip Low, President of AMBC-NSW; Councillor Robert Kok, City of Sydney Council; Josh Chye, partner for Tax Consulting at HLB Mann Judd; Jules Kay, General Manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events; Ivan Lam, Executive Director for International Business at Charter Keck Cramer; and Udomluk Suwan, Sales Director at PropertyGuru Group
Asia Connect: Sydney, held on 13 March, served as a prelude to the 2026 awards programme.
The launch event at the Four Seasons Hotel was supported by the City of Sydney Council, led by Councillor Robert Kok, and convened market experts and award-winning developers, including Eterno Property Group and Skyland Group.
The launch continued 17 March with Asia Connect: Melbourne, held at the Savills headquarters in Melbourne.
The gathering featured insights from property experts and was welcomed by Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, who joined developers, design professionals, and industry associations to discuss sustainable urban growth.
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, City of Melbourne Council
Stability and liveability
At the launch, Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said Sydney is “poised for resurgence”.
“With airport upgrades and mega-infrastructure coming to life, the city looks set to lead national growth,” he said.
“This complex market demands the capital and innovation that Asia's investors, seeking stability beyond traditional markets, are uniquely positioned to provide.
“We can't wait to see what the finest real estate in Sydney and, by extension, Australia, looks like this year.”
Mr Kay said Melbourne’s status as one of the world’s most liveable cities is reflected in a “flight to quality” along with a fascinating paradox of price growth despite headwinds.
“Such a divergence underscores the need to spotlight resilience, from the resurgence of Asian capital to the student accommodation boom, as we contribute to a market that continues to showcase Australia’s best real estate.”
Ivan Lam, chairperson of the independent judging panel and executive director for international business at Charter Keck Cramer, said the awards aim to recognise the finest real estate in Sydney and the rest of Australia.
Ivan Lam, Executive Director for International Business at Charter Keck Cramer and Chairperson of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia)
“We are optimistic about blue-chip suburbs in Australia's largest city as well as the many public works that promise to unlock value across New South Wales,” Mr Lam said.
“The westward transformation of Sydney especially presents a generational opportunity for astute investors and developers alike, while the enduring appeal of the city's eastern and northern suburbs demonstrates the prestige market’s resilience.”
He also encouraged developers to submit their best and showcase their projects to property seekers and peers across Australia and the region.
“With impressive growth forecasted for Melbourne, we expect a resilient market defined by emerging luxury enclaves and an enduring, inherent appeal to Asian property seekers as well as local buyers,” Mr Lam said.
“The calibre of this year’s entries will surely reflect the dynamism of this market.”
From left: Ivan Lam, Executive Director for International Business at Charter Keck Cramer; Josh Chye, Partner, Tax Consulting at HLB Mann Judd; Michael Lang, State Director for Residential Projects Melbourne at Savills Australia; Jules Kay, General Manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events; Colin Chee, Creative Director and Founder of Never Too Small; Benson Zhou, Director for CBD & Metropolitan Sales Melbourne at Savills Australia; and Karen Kong, Head of Property Lending at Bendigo Bank
Organised by PropertyGuru Group, Southeast Asia’s leading PropTech company, the Asia Connect events in Sydney and Melbourne were supported by Australia Malaysia Business Council in New South Wales (AMBC-NSW) and Victoria (AMBC-Vic), Malaysian Developers Council of Australia (MDCA), and Savills Australia; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; and official supervisor HLB Mann Judd.
For more information, email awards@propertyguru.com or visit the official website AsiaPropertyAwards.com.
Images courtesy of PropertyGuru Group
