Sydney and Melbourne kick off ninth edition of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards in Australia

Real estate leaders gather in capital cities to launch the awards programme as it expands with new categories across a dynamic national market

SYDNEY, Australia — The PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) programme returns for its ninth edition in 2026 following two successful launch events in Sydney and Melbourne, announcing a roster of new categories that elevate 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) to be held on Friday, 4 September 2026, at the Shangri-La Sydney. Entries are now open until July.

Key dates for the 2026 edition are:

• Now – Entries open
• 10 July 2026 – Entries close
• 28-31 July 2026 – Site Inspections
• 4 September 2026 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Sydney, Australia
• 11 December 2026 – International Grand Final Gala Dinner in Bangkok, Thailand

The expanded PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) 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.

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.

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.

Asia Connect: Sydney, held on 13 March in the New South Wales capital, served as a prelude to the 2026 awards programme. The launch event at the Four Seasons Hotel gained the support of 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 the Victorian capital. 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.

Stability and liveability

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “As we launch the 2026 PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia) from Sydney, we turn our focus to a market poised for a resurgence. With airport upgrades and mega-infrastructure coming to life, the city looks set to lead national growth. 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.”

He added: “As one of the world’s most liveable cities, Melbourne has shown us a flight to quality and a fascinating paradox, characterised by price growth against 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.”

Related: How the Gold Coast became Australia’s hottest property market

Ivan Lam, chairperson of the independent judging panel and executive director for international business at Charter Keck Cramer, said: “We are thrilled to honour the finest real estate in Sydney and the rest of Australia this year. 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. 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. We call on developers to submit their best and showcase their works to property seekers and peers across Australia and the region.”

He added: “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. The calibre of this year’s entries will surely reflect the dynamism of this market.”

Organised by PropertyGuru Group, Southeast Asia’s leading PropTech company, Asia Connect: Sydney and Asia Connect: Melbourne were supported by Australia Malaysia Business Council (AMBC) in New South Wales and Victoria, 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 [email protected] or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.