2026 Awards for Excellence
Celebrating Excellence in Our 125th Anniversary Year
Entries Open Thursday 1 October 2026
This year, our annual Awards for Excellence have special significance because we are also proudly celebrating our historic 125-year milestone.
There are 11 business categories for Association members, and the Geoffrey Arthur Smith Memorial – Apprentice of the Year Award that is open to fourth-year apprentices employed by any licensed plumbing contractor in Western Australia.
Simplified Entry Process for Business Categories
- No detailed written submission required – just a simple entry form to nominate the categories that best represent your strengths
- Maximum of two categories
- Entries will be assessed by using your business's public profile and other relevant information
The Geoffrey Arthur Smith Memorial – Apprentice of the Year Award still requires a written submission.
Judging Process for Business Categories
With the removal of the requirement for a written submission, the focus is on publicly available evidence your business deserves to win an Award. The judging panel will look closely at your online presence, especially your Find a Master Plumber listing. Where required, the judging panel may contact, customers, builders, suppliers or other relevant industry contacts for reference or verification purposes.
Because your Find a Master Plumber profile will be a key component of the assessment, you should ensure it is complete, accurate and up to date before Thursday 31 December. It is also important for your company website and other online sources — such as social media channels and Google reviews — to consistently reflect excellence in your services, projects, examples of work, team and workplace presentation, community and industry involvement, and overall professionalism and reputation.
For the specific criteria for each business category, please see below.
How to Submit an Entry
- Log in to the members area
- Download the nomination form using the link on the 2026 Awards for Excellence page, under 'Events' in the top navigation menu
- Nominate a maximum of two business categories that you wish to enter
- If making a nomination for the Geoffrey Arthur Smith Memorial – Apprentice of the Year Award, use the same form
- Email your completed form to 2026 Awards for Excellence
Non-members who wish to nominate a fourth-year apprentice for the Geoffrey Arthur Smith Memorial – Apprentice of the Year Award may obtain a nomination form by emailing office@mpawa.asn.au
Closing Date for All Categories
- Thursday 31 December 2026
Awards for Excellence Presentation – Save the Date
- Thursday 11 March 2027 – World Plumbing Day
- Luncheon at Beaumonde On The Point, East Perth
Choose Your Categories
Sponsor
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Category
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Excellence in Commercial Construction Plumbing and Gas
Recognises a Commercial Construction Plumbing Business demonstrating the highest standards across its operations.
- Reliability and keeping to scheduled appointments
- Timely completion of work
- Workplace and site cleanliness
- Technical knowledge and capability
- Quality of workmanship and attention to detail
- Work Health and Safety awareness and compliance
- Customer service
- Professional presentation of commercial construction projects and services
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Excellence in Commercial Maintenance Plumbing and Gas
Recognises a Commercial Maintenance Plumbing Business demonstrating the highest standards in the delivery of commercial plumbing and gas maintenance services.
- Reliability and keeping to scheduled appointments
- Timely completion of work
- Workplace and site cleanliness
- Technical knowledge and capability
- Quality of workmanship and attention to detail
- Work Health and Safety awareness and compliance
- Customer service
- Professional presentation of commercial construction projects and services
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Excellence in Housing Construction Plumbing and Gas
Recognises a Housing Construction Plumbing Business demonstrating the highest standards in residential construction plumbing and gas work.
- Reliability and keeping to scheduled appointments
- Timely completion of work
- Workplace and site cleanliness
- Technical knowledge and capability
- Quality of workmanship and attention to detail
- Work Health and Safety awareness and compliance
- Customer service
- Professional presentation of housing construction projects and services
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Excellence in Domestic Maintenance Plumbing and Gas
Recognises a Domestic Maintenance Plumbing Business demonstrating the highest standards in servicing residential customers.
- Reliability and keeping to scheduled appointments
- Timely completion of work
- Cleanliness and respect for customers' properties
- Technical knowledge and capability
- Quality of workmanship and attention to detail
- Work Health and Safety awareness and compliance
- Customer service
- Customer feedback and reviews
- Overall professionalism and presentation
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Excellence in Leak Detection
Recognises a plumbing contracting business demonstrating the highest standards of leak detection across commercial and domestic installations.
- Expertise in leak detection
- Technical knowledge and capability
- Range and presentation of leak detection services
- Approach to identifying and resolving water leaks
- Professionalism
- Customer service
- Customer feedback and reviews
- Commitment to reducing water loss
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Excellence in Sustainable Plumbing Practices
Recognises a plumbing business demonstrating the highest standards of sustainable plumbing practices across a broad range of solutions including rainwater, grey water, water efficiency, energy efficiency and other sustainable plumbing solutions and practices.
Judges will look for evidence that sustainable plumbing services are a significant focus of the business and that the business demonstrates leadership and commitment to sustainability.
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Plumbing Industry Employer of the Year
Recognises a plumbing contracting business demonstrating the highest standards of policies, systems and workplace practices designed to attract and retain a quality workforce and encourage employees to achieve their full potential.
- Employee recruitment
- Employee engagement
- Staff development and training
- Employee retention
- Workplace culture
- Career development opportunities
- Presentation and recognition of employees
- Evidence that the business is regarded as an employer of choice within the plumbing industry
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Excellence in Customer Service – Kyla Ann Jones Memorial
Recognises a plumbing contracting business demonstrating the highest standards of service excellence.
- Customer experience
- Responsiveness and communication
- Professional presentation
- Reliability
- Customer reviews and testimonials
- Handling of customer enquiries and concerns
- Demonstrated commitment to customer satisfaction
- How customer service values are reflected throughout the business
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Excellence in Indigenous Employment and Innovation
Recognises a plumbing contracting business demonstrating the highest standards of policies, systems and workplace practices designed to attract and retain Indigenous workers and mentor and encourage them to achieve their full potential.
- Indigenous employee recruitment
- Engagement and retention
- Mentoring and development
- Training and career pathways
- Workplace inclusion
- Innovative employment initiatives
- Evidence of meaningful engagement with Indigenous employees and communities
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Excellence in Mental Health and Wellbeing
Recognises a plumbing contracting business demonstrating the highest standard of excellence or innovation in its approach to mental health and wellbeing.
- Workplace mental health initiatives
- Employee wellbeing programs and practices
- Leadership and workplace culture
- Awareness and education
- Access to support innovative approaches to improving employee wellbeing
- Evidence of a genuine and ongoing commitment to mental health
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Excellence in Work Health and Safety
Recognises a plumbing contracting business demonstrating the highest standard in its approach to Work Health and Safety.
- Work Health and Safety policies, systems and procedures
- Workplace implementation and compliance
- Staff training and awareness
- Identification and management of risks
- Safety culture and leadership
- Evidence of proactive safety practices
- Innovation or continuous improvement in Work Health and Safety
- How safety is demonstrated through the business's operations and public presentation
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Geoffrey Arthur Smith Memorial – Apprentice of the Year
This Award recognises an outstanding fourth-year apprentice employed by a licensed plumbing contractor in Western Australia who demonstrates continued improvement through hard work and dedication to the plumbing trade.
Unlike the business Award categories, the employer is required to write a brief explanation of why they are recommending the apprentice.
The Association encourages non-members to nominate a fourth-year apprentice for this special Award. To obtain a nomination form, please email office@mpawa.asn.au.
The written recommendation should highlight qualities such as
- Commitment and dedication to the plumbing trade
- Work ethic
- Technical ability and plumbing skills
- Willingness and enthusiasm to learn
- Improvement and development throughout the apprenticeship
- Professionalism
- Personal attributes and attitude
- Contribution to the workplace and team
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