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Queensland Heritage Awards 2026 – Categories

The Queensland Heritage Awards recognise excellence across a range of categories, celebrating outstanding achievements in the conservation, protection and interpretation of Queensland’s First Nations, built, natural and cultural heritage. The awards are open to organisations, local councils, government bodies, community groups and individuals from across Queensland, with projects of all sizes and budgets welcome.

For the 2026 cycle, eligible projects were those completed between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2025, or between 2019 and 2022 for Significant Projects. Past submissions have reflected the remarkable diversity and innovation of Queensland’s heritage sector, highlighting projects such as revitalised historic places, conserved collections, community-driven initiatives, advocacy work, public art and published works.
Submissions for 2026 are now closed. For those interested in future award cycles or looking to learn more about what makes a strong submission, the guidelines and submission support remain a valuable resource. You can also revisit the 2019 award recipients for inspiration on the breadth of work the awards celebrate.

Categories

Recognising excellence in the conservation, interpretation, education and/or celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage to promote greater understanding, engagement and appreciation in the community.

For projects that relate to landscape sites of heritage value, involving their management and/or conservation. This includes natural, designed and urban landscapes, landscapes of archeological value, as well as cultural landscapes; indigenous and/or non-indigenous.

For any publication or resource that relates to the protection, conservation and/or promotion of a place or places of heritage value located in Queensland.
This may include:

  • research papers,
  • websites,
  • archaeological publications,
  • heritage guidelines
  • fact sheets,
  • heritage studies,
  • management plans,
  • as well as strategies (in print and/or online formats)

For projects that serve to promote, interpret and/or educate in an engaging way the history and significance of a place of heritage value located in Queensland. This may include curriculum-based educational projects and resources, interpretative signage, or a special interpretation, exhibition or tour relating to a place or item.

For projects that relate to the conservation of historic collections, interiors and/or objects. Moveable objects are included in this category.

For projects that provide a new use to an existing place of heritage value located in Queensland. The project must demonstrate excellence in how it complements, utilises and/or repurposes the existing fabric of heritage value. The project may also involve new developments which are sympathetic to the original or early uses and fabric of the site

For projects that relate to the conservation of our built heritage, including major conservation, restoration and/or repair works for a place entered on a local, State and/or National Heritage Register, or otherwise recognised for being of heritage value.

Significant Projects will be considered only from projects completed between 2019-2022 that are entered under the same seven (7) award categories. Entries submitted in the Significant Project category that fall within the 2019–2022 eligibility period are not eligible for consideration for the John Herbert Award. National Trust Queensland acknowledges that the Queensland Heritage Awards have not been held since 2019. However, to ensure consistency, clarity and fairness as the awards program moves forward, eligibility and criteria must be aligned.