Celebrating 15 Years of IT Innovation, Leadership and Achievement

For 15 years, the iTnews Benchmark Awards have celebrated the organisations, IT leaders and teams pushing the boundaries of technology in Australia. Recognising ambition, innovation and real-world impact, the awards honour the people and projects delivering meaningful outcomes across government, industry and the wider community.

In 2027, we're celebrating this milestone with our biggest Benchmark Awards program yet. Alongside recognising Australia's leading enterprise IT projects, the program will shine a spotlight on the people driving progress, inspiring their teams and navigating transformation, growth and adversity.

More than an awards program, the iTnews Benchmark Awards bring the industry together to celebrate success, share experiences and learn from the achievements of their peers. The enhanced program will feature expanded networking opportunities and a dedicated conference session where finalists can share their stories, exchange insights and discuss the lessons behind their success, alongside sponsor-led group discussions that encourage meaningful conversations and connections.

15 years of recognising excellence. One industry moving forward. Join us in celebrating the achievements, people and ideas shaping the future of Australian IT.

Entries have now opened. Enter now: 

People Awards 

Project Awards

The 2027 Benchmark Awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner and conference on the 24th March at Doltone House, Hyde Park Sydney

Agenda

Why Enter?

• Join an exclusive network of IT leaders. Become part of an esteemed alumni community behind some of Australia's most remarkable IT projects, with invitations to exclusive iTnews events.

• Gain valuable industry insights. Finalists are invited to attend the iTnews Benchmark Conference, a dedicated two-hour event ahead of the Awards ceremony, featuring opportunities to share experiences, exchange ideas and learn from industry peers.

• Showcase your achievements. Have your project featured by iTnews, reaching tens of thousands of readers daily, with coverage including videos highlighting finalists' projects and their impact.

• Celebrate your success on the industry stage. Be recognised alongside Australia's leading IT teams and professionals at the gala Awards ceremony in Sydney's CBD in March 2027. All finalists are invited to attend.

What can you nominate for an award?

Project awards

The awards focus on IT projects by large, end-user organisations, which are invited to nominate projects. Technology companies, partners, consultants and contractors can also nominate client projects, but they must have approval from their client to do so. This is an end user-focused awards program, focusing on the organisation’s challenges and how a project helped them. So the client must be prepared to accept an award and speak about their project publicly. The client will also be invited to attend the iTnews Benchmark Awards dinner if their project is a finalist.

Your project is eligible if any part of it occurred between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Judging will focus on achievements during that period. 

To be eligible your project must have been conducted by an Australian organisation or solely within the Australian subsidiary of a multinational organisation.

Pilot projects are welcome, if testing with actual end-users or customers has been completed.

You may submit multiple entries.

People awards

The Benchmark Awards "People" category celebrates CIOs, CDOs, CTOs and senior tech leaders for their leadership and their work in driving effective technology teams.

The People finalists are selected on the following criteria:

• Execution and stakeholder buy-in of tech roadmap

• Value created for customers or end users

• Innovation and new ground forged

• Challenges overcome in 2026

• Utilisation of resources (including tech talent)

• Approach to people management and culture fostered in the team

Finalists in each category are chosen by the iTnews award-winning editorial team and expert advisors. Event sponsors have no involvement whatsoever in the judging process.

2027 Benchmark Awards People and Project Categories

Federal Government - Projects or technology leadership in federal government departments or agencies that resulted in either internal efficiencies or improved citizen services.

State Government - Projects or technology leadership in state government departments or agencies that resulted in either internal efficiencies or improved citizen services.

Local Government - Projects or technology leadership in local governments that resulted in either internal efficiencies or improved citizen services.

Education – Projects or technology leadership in or for educational institutions at all levels – from childcare to university to adult education – that delivered either internal efficiency or better experiences and outcomes for students.

Health - Projects or technology leadership in any organisation that delivered health services which demonstrably improved staff productivity and/or service delivery to patients.

Finance (& Professional services) -Projects or technology leadership in participants in the financial services industries that either improved internal operations or resulted in improved products and/or service delivery to corporate or retail customers.

Energy - Projects or technology leadership in any organisation in the energy, (energy, utilities and electricity) sector that has delivered better experiences or outcomes for customers.

Industrial – Projects or technology leadership in any organisation in the Industrial (manufacturing, construction, transport and logistics) sector that has delivered better experiences or outcomes for customers.

Not For Profit -Projects or technology leadership in NFPs that demonstrate the vital role that information technology plays in modern not-for-profit organisations, enabling improved service delivery to clients, enhanced fundraising capabilities, and increased efficiency.

Retail – Projects or technology leadership in retailers that delivered internal efficiencies, innovation, customer engagement, sustainability and/or operational efficiency.

Telecommunications & Media – Projects or technology leadership in telcos and media that demonstrate innovation, network advancement, customer experience enhancement, and technological excellence.

One project entered in these categories will be selected as The Australian Technology Project of the Year.

One person in these categories will be selected as The Australian Technology Leader of the Year.

Entries have now opened.

People Awards 

Project Awards

The judging process

The awards will be judged by a select panel comprised of the iTnews editorial team and guest judges. Sponsors have no involvement in the judging process.

Finalists are selected on the following criteria:

• The strength of the business case for the project.
   
• The project’s delivery – evidence of agility, creative applications of IT and competencies developed, whilst keeping within targeted scope, deadline and cost.
   
• Whether new ground was forged – in terms of innovation and new technologies or approaches, and how this risk was managed.
   
• Return on investment – anticipated or measured.

Questions?

For questions, clarification or to request an extension, please contact us by clicking here.