Entries Now Open For 2026 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Awards

Entries are now open for the prestigious 2026 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards, which have been designed to recognise not only innovative packaging design but also outstanding packaging professionals making a significant difference in their field in Australia and New Zealand.

What makes the PIDA awards program unique is that it is not only industry-led but is the Exclusive Entry point for the WorldStar Packaging Awards for Australia & New Zealand. Only winners of the PIDA awards are eligible to enter the WorldStar Packaging Awards each year.

Coordinated by the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the 2026 PIDA Awards offer recognition across 16 categories and have the sole purpose of recognising innovative and intuitive packaging, as well as the talented people who make up the wider industry. Receiving a PIDA Award is the pinnacle recognition for any company and individual in the industry in Australia & New Zealand.

The Design Innovation of the Year company awards will recognise organisations that have designed innovative packaging within each of these six manufacturing categories:

1. Food

2. Beverage

3. Health, Beauty & Wellness

4. Domestic & Household

5. Labelling & Decoration

6. Outside of the Box

There are four special awards available:

1. Sustainable Packaging Design

2. Save Food Packaging Design

3. Accessible & Inclusive Packaging Design

4. Marketing

Additionally, there are three awards specifically designed for individuals who have made notable contributions to the packaging industry. The Packaging Technologist of the Year Award is unique in that it is designed to recognise and acknowledge the outstanding achievements and contributions by an individual currently working within the Packaging industry across Australia, New Zealand & Asia. There are also three scholarships available.

The winners of the PIDA Awards will be announced on July 28th at a gala awards dinner at the Crown Aviary in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The 2026 PIDA Awards will be held in conjunction with Foodpro 2026, the largest food and beverage trade show in the ANZ region. The 2026 finalists and winners will also be showcased inside the FoodPro halls.

Entries close on the 27th of February, so don’t delay. Click here for more information.