Dulux Colour Awards

Spanning an impressive four decades, Dulux is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its annual Dulux Colour Awards. The Dulux Colour Awards recognises creative and innovative use of Dulux Colour within the built environment, across a diverse range of interior and exterior spaces, including residential, public, and commercial environments. With entries now officially open for 2026, Dulux invites architects, interior designers, specifiers, and students from Australia and New Zealand to submit their most innovative and inspiring projects.

The 2026 Dulux Colour Awards are accepting entries across the following categories

1. COMMERCIAL INTERIOR - WORKPLACE AND RETAIL

Interior Dulux Paint finishes of any commercial or industrial building e.g. offices, studios, factories, retail outlets, shopping centres.

2. COMMERCIAL INTERIOR - PUBLIC AND HOSPITALITY

Interior Dulux Paint finishes of any commercial or industrial building e.g. community centres, museums, theatres, places of worship, cafes, restaurants, fitness centres, hotels, event spaces, education and healthcare facilities.

3. COMMERCIAL AND MULTI-RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR

Exterior Dulux Paint finishes of any commercial, industrial, educational facility, multi-residential development and/ or apartment building.

4. RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR

Interior Dulux Paint finishes of a private residence, including single and multi-residential.

5. SINGLE RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR

Exterior Dulux Paint finishes of a private single residence.

6. TEMPORARY OR INSTALLATION DESIGN

Interior and or Exterior Dulux Paint finishes of any temporary, installation, exhibition and brand promotion experience.

7. STUDENT (YEARS 1-6) (AU AND NZ)

Dulux Paint specification by architecture or interior design students who are currently undertaking or have recently completed (within the past 12 months) a course by a recognised university or college.

Each major category winner will receive AUD$1,000 in prize money and winners of the Student category will receive AUD$1000.

Finalists will have the opportunity to be judged for the coveted Australian Grand Prix and New Zealand Grand Prix titles.

Australian Grand Prix: Celebrating the best-in-show, the coveted Australian Grand Prix award will be chosen from the Australian category winners, excluding the Student category, and receive AUD$5,000.

New Zealand Grand Prix: Celebrating the best-in-show, the New Zealand Grand Prix title will be selected from the New Zealand finalists, excluding the Student category, and receive NZD$5,000

The finalists will be revealed on April 9, 2026 and winners will be announced on May 27, 2026.

Judging criteria and process

Use of colour

The rationale behind the choice and use of colour is a key determining factor in the judging process. All colours and shades will be considered from the Dulux range, including black and white. Dulux colour must comprise a minimum of 51 per cent of the colour used in the project. Dulux paints or coatings must have been used extensively within the project.

Key determining factors:

• Up to 10 high resolution digital images can be submitted to illustrate how colour enhanced the project (please include landscape and portrait if possible)

• The project description and rationale behind the choice and use of colour in the design.

Dulux Colour Awards 2026 Terms & Conditions