FAMANZ 2027 Awards

FAMANZ provides a professional home for practitioners working across asbestos assessment, management, remediation and allied industries throughout Australia and New Zealand.

The FAMANZ Awards recognise people, organisations, projects and initiatives that advance professional standards, strengthen industry capability and contribute to safer outcomes for workers and communities.

Award recipients will be announced and celebrated at the Conference Dinner and Awards Evening at ASBESTOS 2027 on Tuesday, 23 March 2027 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Nominations are now open and close on 14 December 2026.
Self-nominations and nominations of another eligible person, organisation, project or collaboration are welcome.

FAMANZ Sponsored Awards

Innovation Award

Active Environmental Solutions Innovation Award

Recognising individuals and organisations delivering innovative ideas, technologies or approaches that improve asbestos management. The award celebrates work that challenges conventional practice and contributes to safer, more effective and sustainable outcomes.

The Prize

$10,000 to kickstart a new initiative or support the continued development of an existing one.

Nominate now

Who can be nominated?

Individuals, organisations, researchers and project teams responsible for a new or existing innovation that improves asbestos management may be nominated. Applicants may nominate their own innovation or nominate another eligible individual or organisation with their consent.

Assessment criteria
  • Novelty and originality: the innovation introduces a distinctive approach, technique or solution and challenges traditional methods.
  • Effectiveness: it reduces health risks, improves safety, strengthens outcomes or streamlines asbestos-management processes.
  • Practicality and applicability: it can be implemented in real-world settings and has potential to scale or adapt.
  • Environmental impact: it reduces exposure or pollution and aligns with responsible, sustainable practice.
  • Safety improvements: it strengthens protection for workers and the broader community.
Application requirements

The nomination form will ask applicants to describe the innovation, the problem it addresses, what makes it original, evidence of its effectiveness, practical application, safety and environmental benefits, and how the $10,000 prize would be used.

Applicants must confirm that the information supplied is accurate, that any nominee has consented to the nomination, and that the award terms and conditions have been read and accepted.

Winner obligations
  • Use the prize for the specific new or existing innovation described in the successful application.
  • Attend the ASBESTOS 2027 Conference Dinner and Awards Evening to receive the award.
  • Acknowledge Active Environmental Solutions’ support in relevant promotional material when reasonably requested.
  • Provide a 10–15 minute update at ASBESTOS 2028 explaining how the prize supported the innovation.
  • Participate in reasonable FAMANZ publicity and sign an award-acceptance agreement if requested.
Rising Star Award

Identifibre Rising Star Award

Recognising an emerging leader in asbestos assessment and management who has contributed innovative ideas, undertaken field research or further study, or demonstrated leadership on site, in the community or within FAMANZ.

The Prize

Registration to the FAMANZ 2028 Conference, including return economy flights, accommodation for the duration of the conference and airport transfers.

Nominate now

Eligibility
  • The nominee must have contributed to the field of asbestos for more than two years.
  • The nominee must be an Affiliate or Technical member of FAMANZ.
  • Self-nominations and nominations submitted by another person are accepted.
Assessment criteria
  • Development of innovation in asbestos practice, including areas such as artificial intelligence, removal strategies, communication or collaboration.
  • Demonstrated leadership or improved collaboration in an asbestos-abatement project.
  • Research undertaken voluntarily, through employment or as part of further study in the field of asbestos.
  • A positive contribution to their workplace, community, the wider industry or FAMANZ.
Application requirements

The nomination form will request nominee and nominator contact details, a nominee overview of up to 200 words, a detailed statement of up to 2,000 words describing the nominee’s achievements and positive contribution, and details for two referees who can support the claims.

The nominator must have the nominee’s consent where nominating another person and must confirm that the award terms and conditions have been read and accepted.

Winner obligations
  • Arrange the necessary leave with their employer.
  • Arrange travel insurance at their own discretion and expense.
  • Provide eligible invoices within the specified timeframe. Late invoices will not be reimbursed.
  • Within six weeks of returning, submit an article describing the professional aspects of the trip and the benefits gained for potential publication by FAMANZ.
  • Conduct themselves professionally as a representative of FAMANZ and participate in reasonable photography, filming and publicity.
Outstanding Contribution Award

Air-Met Scientific Derek Miller Award

Recognising a FAMANZ member who has made an outstanding contribution to the asbestos industry through voluntary work, mentoring, technical development, leadership or the promotion of best practice. The award commemorates founding FAMANZ member Derek Miller.

The Prize

Registration to an international Asbestos Conference held before 1 March 2028: BOHS FAAM, Asbestonomy or the European Asbestos Forum.

The prize also includes return economy flights, accommodation for the duration of the conference and airport transfers.

Nominate now

Eligibility
  • The nominee must have contributed to the field of asbestos for more than seven years.
  • The nominee must be a Technical or Full member of FAMANZ.
  • Self-nominations and nominations submitted by another person are accepted.
Assessment criteria
  • Promotion, development or implementation of best practice or innovative advances in the field of asbestos.
  • Significant impact through leadership or mentoring.
  • Voluntary work that promotes asbestos safety in the community or supports professional organisations or support groups.
  • A sustained and positive contribution to the asbestos industry.
Application requirements

The nomination form will request nominee and nominator contact details, a nominee overview of up to 200 words, a detailed statement of up to 2,000 words describing the nominee’s achievements and contribution, the conference the nominee proposes to attend and why in up to 200 words, and details for two referees.

The nominator must have the nominee’s consent where nominating another person and must confirm that the award terms and conditions have been read and accepted.

Winner obligations
  • Arrange the necessary leave with their employer and travel insurance at their own discretion and expense.
  • Provide eligible invoices within two months of finalising travel arrangements. Late invoices will not be reimbursed.
  • Within six weeks of returning, submit an article describing the professional aspects of the trip and the benefits gained for potential publication by FAMANZ.
  • Conduct themselves professionally as a representative of FAMANZ and participate in reasonable photography, filming and publicity.
  • Deliver a short 5–10 minute presentation about the trip at the FAMANZ 2028 Conference.

New for 2027

New FAMANZ Industry Awards for 2027

FAMANZ is introducing four new industry awards to recognise real-world projects and initiatives that demonstrate excellence, innovation and positive impact in asbestos management across Australia and New Zealand.

New FAMANZ Award for 2027

Technical Excellence & Best Practice

Excellence in Asbestos Management

Recognising a project, program or initiative demonstrating an outstanding application of asbestos-management principles and industry best practice.

The Prize
  • Five years of Affiliate FAMANZ membership, including mentoring benefits, industry announcements, free access to webinars, member discounts at training events and much more.
  • Industry and peer recognition, with promotion of your award-winning achievement through FAMANZ communications.
  • Use of the FAMANZ Award Winner logo to promote your achievement throughout 2027 and into 2028, until the 2028 FAMANZ Awards.
  • Increased brand awareness through award recognition and promotion across the asbestos industry.


Nominate now

What can be nominated?
  • An asbestos survey or assessment program.
  • A major removal, remediation, infrastructure or redevelopment project.
  • Asbestos management across a large or complex property portfolio.
  • An improvement to asbestos-management systems or practices.
  • A complex project delivering exceptional worker or public protection.
Assessment criteria

The project should demonstrate:

  • A clearly defined asbestos-management challenge.
  • A robust and technically sound approach.
  • Effective implementation.
  • Demonstrable outcomes or improvements.
  • Lessons that can be transferred to other projects or applied across the industry.
Who can nominate?

Nominations are open to clients, project owners, asbestos professionals, consultants, removal companies, laboratories, government agencies, property owners and managers, researchers, industry bodies, community organisations and individuals involved in the project. FAMANZ Board may also nominate eligible projects.

You may nominate your own project or another project with the relevant team’s consent.

Application requirements

The nomination form will request the project title, nominee or project team, nominator, location, dates, organisations involved, the asbestos-management challenge, the approach taken, what made the work exceptional, measurable outcomes and supporting evidence.

A supporting statement of approximately 1,000–1,500 words is recommended. Nominations should focus on evidence, outcomes and lessons learned rather than promotional claims.

New Award for 2027

Partnership & Positive Impact

Collaboration & Community Impact

Recognising a project in which collaboration between stakeholders—or the work of an individual or organisation bringing stakeholders together—has produced a significant positive outcome for workers, communities or the broader public.

The Prize
  • Five years of Affiliate FAMANZ membership, including mentoring benefits, industry announcements, free access to webinars, member discounts at training events and much more.
  • Industry and peer recognition, with promotion of your award-winning achievement through FAMANZ communications.
  • Use of the FAMANZ Award Winner logo to promote your achievement throughout 2027 and into 2028, until the 2028 FAMANZ Awards.
  • Increased brand awareness through award recognition and promotion across the asbestos industry.


Nominate now

What can be nominated?

Eligible work may include community remediation, public education, disaster response or recovery, infrastructure projects, complex stakeholder engagement, work involving vulnerable or affected communities, or initiatives that improve understanding of asbestos risk.

Collaboration must have been fundamental to achieving the outcome rather than simply being a feature of the project.

Assessment criteria
  • The importance and quality of the collaboration.
  • The approach used to engage stakeholders and overcome barriers.
  • Demonstrable benefits for workers, communities or the broader public.
  • Protection of affected or vulnerable groups.
  • Positive outcomes, lessons learned and potential application elsewhere.
Who can nominate?

Nominations may be submitted by participating clients, contractors, consultants, removalists, researchers, government agencies, property owners, community organisations, multidisciplinary teams or other individuals and organisations involved in the work. Self-nominations and nominations of others are welcome.

Application requirements

The nomination form will request details of the project and team, the asbestos-related challenge, the stakeholders involved, how collaboration shaped the approach, measurable community or worker benefits, and supporting evidence.

A supporting statement of approximately 1,000–1,500 words is recommended. Nominations should focus on evidence, outcomes and lessons learned rather than promotional claims.

New Award for 2027

Sustainability & Resilience

Sustainable Asbestos Management & Climate Resilience

Recognising a project or initiative demonstrating leadership in environmental sustainability, climate resilience or responsible asbestos management while maintaining high standards of health and safety.

The Prize
  • Five years of Affiliate FAMANZ membership, including mentoring benefits, industry announcements, free access to webinars, member discounts at training events and much more.
  • Industry and peer recognition, with promotion of your award-winning achievement through FAMANZ communications.
  • Use of the FAMANZ Award Winner logo to promote your achievement throughout 2027 and into 2028, until the 2028 FAMANZ Awards.
  • Increased brand awareness through award recognition and promotion across the asbestos industry.


Nominate now

What can be nominated?
  • Reduction of asbestos waste or lower-carbon remediation.
  • Sustainable or responsible waste-management practices.
  • Evidence-based decisions about removal versus management in place.
  • Responses to asbestos risks following bushfires, floods or severe weather.
  • Climate resilience in infrastructure or asset management.
  • Sustainable contaminated-land projects or work reducing environmental impacts.
Assessment criteria
  • Environmental and climate outcomes achieved.
  • Quality and technical strength of the approach.
  • Protection of workers, occupants and communities.
  • Innovation and practical problem-solving.
  • Measurable impact, responsible implementation and lessons that can be applied elsewhere.
Who can nominate?

Nominations are open to clients, owners, asbestos professionals, consultants, removal companies, laboratories, government agencies, researchers, industry and community organisations, and project participants. Applicants may nominate their own work or another eligible project with consent.

Application requirements

The nomination form will request project details, the asbestos and environmental challenge, the approach taken, sustainability or climate-resilience outcomes, measurable benefits and relevant supporting evidence.

A supporting statement of approximately 1,000–1,500 words is recommended. Nominations should focus on evidence, outcomes and lessons learned rather than promotional claims.

New Premier FAMANZ Award for 2027

Premier FAMANZ Industry Award

FAMANZ Asbestos Project of the Year

The premier FAMANZ Industry Award recognises the project demonstrating the strongest overall combination of technical excellence, innovation, positive outcomes, worker and community protection, collaboration and industry impact.

The Prize
  • Five years of Affiliate FAMANZ membership, including mentoring benefits, industry announcements, free access to webinars, member discounts at training events and much more.
  • Industry and peer recognition, with promotion of your award-winning achievement through FAMANZ communications.
  • Use of the FAMANZ Award Winner logo to promote your achievement throughout 2027 and into 2028, until the 2028 FAMANZ Awards.
  • Increased brand awareness through award recognition and promotion across the asbestos industry.

Automatic consideration—no separate nomination required

How entry works

Every eligible nomination submitted for the Excellence in Asbestos Management, Collaboration & Community Impact, or Sustainable Asbestos Management & Climate Resilience awards will automatically be considered for Project of the Year. A separate nomination is not required.

Assessment criteria
  • Technical excellence.
  • Innovation and effective problem-solving.
  • Positive and demonstrable outcomes.
  • Worker and community protection.
  • Collaboration and industry impact.
  • Sustainability, where relevant.
  • The transferability of lessons to other asbestos projects.

The winning project does not need to be the largest or most expensive. A smaller project demonstrating exceptional practice and the potential to influence the wider industry will be equally competitive.

General Nomination Information

Please review the requirements for your chosen FAMANZ Award before completing its nomination form. All nominations close on 14 December 2026.

Assessment framework for the new Industry Awards
  • Quality of the approach and technical excellence — 25%
  • Demonstrable outcomes and impact — 25%
  • Innovation or problem-solving — 15%
  • Worker, occupant and community protection — 15%
  • Collaboration and stakeholder engagement — 10%
  • Contribution to FAMANZ aims and professional practice — 10%

For the Sustainable Asbestos Management & Climate Resilience Award, additional emphasis may be placed on environmental and climate outcomes. Projects are assessed relative to their circumstances—not simply by size or financial value.

Consent, publicity and recognition

By submitting a nomination, the applicant confirms that the information supplied may be shared with the FAMANZ Board, administration team and judging panel for assessment. Where another person or organisation is nominated, the applicant must obtain their consent before submitting personal or project information.

Applicants agree that FAMANZ may use the applicant’s and nominee’s names, project or nomination name, images and likeness for reasonable advertising and publicity connected with the awards. Winners and their representatives may be asked to participate in reasonable publicity, photography, filming, conference presentations, case studies, articles or webinars.

Judging and conflicts of interest

Eligible nominations will be assessed by a panel appointed by FAMANZ. Judges will score nominations against the published criteria, shortlist finalists and recommend winners to the FAMANZ Board for approval.

Judges must declare actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and will not assess a nomination where they have a material involvement or conflict.

Attendance and costs: Award winners, or a representative for an organisation or team award, must attend the ASBESTOS 2027 Conference Dinner and Awards Evening and purchase their own ticket. Attendance at the conference sessions is optional; those who attend must also purchase their own conference registration. All flights, travel and accommodation costs for attending ASBESTOS 2027 are the attendee’s responsibility and will not be covered or reimbursed by FAMANZ or the Conference Manager. This requirement is separate from any expressly stated prize benefits for attendance at the 2028 conference.

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