Award Program Dates
Categories launched – Monday 2 March
Entries open – August TBC
Entries close – September TBC
Judging – September & October
Results – Communicated via email by the end of October
Award Presentation Ceremony – Thursday 26 November 2026
Award Entry via Online Application
The Award entry process has been simplified and steam lined for entrants. The design element of previous presentations has been removed and an online application created for entrants to complete.
Entries into the Awards must be submitted via the online application from this website.
The online Award application now includes all required criteria needing to be completed. Entrants will be able to directly add answers and photos into the template, eliminating the creation of a presentation.
It is recommended that you save your Award entry answers in the following Award Entry Template as a security measure, then copy and paste them into the application.
Award Entry Process
We are using a new award entry system, everyone who didn’t entered a Grant or Award entry in 2025, must re-register by creating a new log-in, unless you have already entered a grant application this year.
Please ensure you read the Award Application Process.
Can Schools enter multiply categories?
Schools may enter multiple Award categories, however, each applications must target the specific category being entered.
May previous Award winners enter again?
Yes, previously successful schools can enter again. However, schools who won an Award category in the previous year, may not enter the same category unless it is with new/different achievements in their garden than previously entered.
Judging of the Awards
Award entries are judged according to a determined set of judging criteria. Judging is undertaken by the VSGP Committee Advisory Committee and Awards rewarded to the highest scoring schools.
Entry into Regional, State and Kevin Heinze Perpetual Awards
All Award entries (with the exception of the Best Use of a Grant Award and PP5 Recycling Champion Award ) are automatically entered into the Regional Awards from which the State and Kevin Heinze Perpetual Awards winners are chosen.
Award Results
Notification of Results
Unsuccessful entrants will be notified via email at the end of October. All other entrants will be invited to the Award Presentation Ceremony to discover which Award their school has won.
Award Presentation Ceremony
The 2026 Victorian Schools Garden Awards Presentation Ceremony will be held on Thursday 26 November, at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.