The Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP) is pleased to announce that 7x Australian & New Zealand companies have received 11x WorldStar Packaging Awards.

The latest round of WorldStar Packaging Awards attracted 481 entries from 36 countries and 234 were recognised with WorldStar Packaging Awards.

According to Nerida Kelton, Executive Director of the AIP ‘With the tough global competition increasing every year receiving a coveted WorldStar Packaging Award is getting harder. The AIP are extremely proud that 7x ANZ PIDA Winners have been internationally recognised with 11x awards across 6x categories including Packaging Materials & Components, Food, Fresh Fruit & Vegetables, Other, Household, Labelling & Decoration,’

‘As only winners from the Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PDIA) awards are eligible to enter the WorldStar Packaging awards, the continued global recognition of Australian and New Zealand packaging designs is a testament to the strict criteria and judging process of our regional awards program. We look forward to celebrating the ANZ winners in-person on the 8th of May 2026 at a gala awards ceremony which will be held inside of Interpack, Dusseldorf, Germany.” she said.

The 2026 WorldStar Packaging Award winners for Australia and New Zealand are:

Food

• Australian Organic Food Co Mono Material Spout Pouch (Flavour Makers + Cheer Pack Asia Pacific)
• Amprima recycle-ready packaging for shredded cheese (Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific ANZ)
• Koor refillable system – Koor
• Katermaster Regen Reusable Food Container (Bunzl Australia & New Zealand)

Fresh Fruit & Vegetables

• Opal Paper-based fresh produce punnet (Mountain Blue + Opal)

Labelling & Decoration

• Carman’s Gourmet Snack Mix – Zipform Packaging

Household

• Koor refillable system (Koor)

Packaging Materials & Components

• Amprima recycle-ready packaging for shredded cheese (Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific ANZ)Australian Organic Food Co Mono Material Spout Pouch (Flavour Makers + Cheer Pack Asia Pacific)
• Advantage 9um Pallet Wrap (Bunzl Australia & New Zealand)

Other

• Reusable Ecommerce Tote (Woolworths Reuse Co +Viscount Reuse)

The full list of 2026 WorldStar Packaging Awards are available to view on https://worldstar.org/winners/worldstar/2026/

Applications for the 2026 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards are now open and will close on the 27th of February. The PIDA Awards are the exclusive feeder program for Australia & New Zealand for the WorldStar Packaging Awards. http://aipack.com.au/pida-awards-overview/

Applications are now open for the annual Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) packaging scholarship program that is run in partnership with the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP).

The Packaging Scholarship program will enable one eligible candidate the opportunity to undertake a Diploma in Packaging Technology and a second person the opportunity to undertake a Certificate in Packaging. Eligible Candidates will come from across the entire packaging industry in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, the AIP will provide the winning candidates complimentary attendance at 3x training courses from the Institute’s education portfolio.

Scholarship 1 *For ANZ
DIPLOMA IN PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY: Internationally recognised as the premier qualification in the packaging industry.
The Diploma in Packaging Technology is a Level 5 PIABC, 51-credit foundation degree-level qualification. The course prepares learners to take responsibility for packaging operations at any level through the supply chain and can lead to higher level study. Diploma in Packaging Technology students come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, but they all share a desire to broaden and deepen their knowledge and understanding of the packaging industry.

Scholarship 2 *For ANZ
CERTIFICATE IN PACKAGING: The ideal first qualification for those working in the packaging industry.
The Certificate in Packaging Technology is an introduction to the industry for those starting out on an exciting career in packaging. The Certificate in Packaging is a Level 3 PIABC course that is recognised as giving an excellent foundation in, and introduction to, the packaging industry. The course provides a level of insight and understanding of the packaging industry that adds real and measurable value to careers and businesses.

Scholarship 3 *Australasia
AIP PRESIDENT AWARD *FOR ALL AIP MEMBERS ACROSS ASIA AND ANZ
The AIP President Award has been designed to work in collaboration with the ABA program to help one additional person undertake either a Certificate in Packaging or a Diploma in Packaging Technology each year. The Scholarship program will enable one eligible candidate the opportunity to undertake a Diploma in Packaging Technology or a Certificate in Packaging. The AIP scholarship judging committee will also consider applications from AIP Members from across Asia to be eligible for a third scholarship, sponsored by the AIP. Simply apply using the ABA Scholarship Criteria and entry form.

HOW TO ENTER

The annual Scholarship program is a part of the Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) awards. To apply for a scholarship please head over to the PIDA Awards webpage (link below) and scroll to the bottom of the page for the scholarship criteria and award portal entry link. *Please note entries are free-of-charge.

Enter here: https://aipack.com.au/pida-awards-overview/ 

*** For AIP Members that reside in South East Asia please use the ABA scholarship application and your application will be reviewed separately for the AIP President Award.

The annual Scholarship program is a part of the Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) awards, with winners announced at the gala awards ceremony on the 28th of July, at the Aviary Crown, during FoodPro.

Applications close on the 27th of February

Entries are now open for the prestigious 2026 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards that have been designed to recognise not only innovative packaging design, but also outstanding packaging professionals who are making a significant difference in their field in Australia and New Zealand. What makes the PIDA awards program unique is that it is not only industry-led but is the Exclusive Entry point for the WorldStar Packaging Awards for Australia & New Zealand. Only winners from the PIDA awards can enter the WorldStar Packaging Awards each year. 

Coordinated by the Australasian Institute of Packaging (AIP), the 2026 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards offer recognition across 16x categories and has a sole purpose of recognising innovative and intuitive packaging and the talented people who make up the wider industry. Receiving a PIDA Award is the pinnacle recognition for any company and individual in the industry in Australia & New Zealand.

2025 PIDA Categories include:

The Design Innovation of the Year company awards will recognise organisations that have designed innovative packaging within each of these six manufacturing categories:
1.    Food
2.    Beverage
3.    Health, Beauty & Wellness
4.    Domestic & Household
5.    Labelling & Decoration
6.    Outside of the Box

There are four special awards available:
1.    Sustainable Packaging Design
2.    Save Food Packaging Design
3.    Accessible & Inclusive Packaging Design
4.    Marketing

In addition, there are three awards designed for people who have made specific contributions to the packaging industry.
1.    Young Packaging Professional of the Year
2.    Industry Packaging Professional of the Year
3.    Packaging Technologist of the Year.
The Packaging Technologist of the Year Award is unique in that it is designed to recognise and acknowledge the outstanding achievements and contribution by an individual currently working within the Packaging industry across Australia, New Zealand & Asia. 

There are three scholarships available, with two supported by the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA):
1. ABA Diploma in Packaging Scholarship
2. ABA Certificate in Packaging Scholarship
3. AIP President’s Award – From 2026 the AIP President’s Award will be open for ALL AIP members across Southeast Asia to apply for.
The AIP scholarship judging committee will also consider applications from AIP Members outside of Australia & New Zealand to be eligible for a third scholarship.

The winners of the PIDA Awards will be announced on the 28th of July at a gala awards dinner at the Crown Aviary, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The 2026 PIDA Awards will be held alongside of Foodpro 2026, the largest food and beverage tradeshow in the ANZ region. The 2026 finalists and winners will also be showcased inside of the FoodPro halls.

Entries close on the 27th of February so don’t delay  http://aipack.com.au/pida-awards-overview/