For 28 years, the Australian Construction Achievement Award (ACAA) has recognised the transformative construction projects that define the industry.
This prestigious award celebrates more than just technical brilliance – it honours projects that leave a lasting impact on the construction industry and communities.
Over the years, winners and finalists have exemplified the diverse contributions of the construction industry. From enhancing worker wellbeing to driving industry transformation, these projects showcase the depth of talent and innovation within Australia’s construction sector.
The 2023 ACAA winner, the M80 Ring Road Upgrade in Melbourne, stood out for its transformative impact. Beyond its technical achievements of improving safety and easing congestion for more than 165,000 drivers daily, the project championed diversity and inclusion.
With 40 per cent of its leadership team composed of women and significant representation of Aboriginal employees, the project showcased the role of construction in driving cultural and workforce change. This project’s commitment to cultural change, paired with its technical achievements, demonstrated how construction can deliver benefits beyond infrastructure.
Finalists from the same year, such as the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 project, highlighted the industry’s capacity to connect communities and improve urban mobility. By delivering accessible, modern infrastructure, the project not only met high engineering standards but also prioritised equitable transportation for residents.
Similarly, the M4-M5 Link Tunnels in Sydney addressed a pressing commuter need, completing a complex underground network that will reduce congestion and improve travel efficiency for thousands of people.
The 2024 ACAA winner, the Rookwood Weir Project, represents yet another milestone in the award’s history. This project displayed engineering mastery by constructing a massive hydraulic structure and also excelled in sustainability and ecological considerations. Its unique turtle passage design, informed by world-leading telemetry research, ensured the safe movement of aquatic life – a global first in ecological engineering.
The project set new benchmarks in workforce development and industry collaboration, exceeding its workforce training targets and significantly surpassed Indigenous employment goals. This focus on skilling and inclusion underscores how construction projects can leave a lasting legacy for the sector and communities alike.
These achievements illustrate the ACAA is more than an award – it is a platform to celebrate projects that address industry challenges and redefine best practices. From fostering workforce diversity to adopting innovative approaches that benefit both people and the environment, the ACAA honours projects that reflect the construction sector’s role in creating a better future.
With the 2025 ACAA call for entries closing on Thursday 6 March, Engineers Australia and the Australian Constructors Association encourage construction companies to put their projects in the spotlight. The ACAA is a platform for recognising achievements that shape the future of the sector.
Participation in the ACAA not only enhances visibility within the industry but also aligns companies with a legacy of excellence. Finalists and winners are recognised at the highest level, their achievements recognised as benchmarks for others in the field.
Don’t miss your chance to have your project assessed by a panel of independent experts and celebrated as one of Australia’s finest. Submit your entry today and make your mark on nearly three decades of construction excellence.
