Australia’s top scaffolding projects have been named at this year’s Australia’s Best Scaffolding Projects Awards.
The event, held during Scaff25, drew a record thirty nominations from across the country. Organisers say the strong field reflects continued growth and technical capability within the sector.
The awards highlight engineering precision, safety performance and innovation across industrial, civil and commercial environments.
Craneable scaffold takes top prize
Ausgroup Industrial Services won the year’s two major awards. Innovation in Scaffolding and Australia’s Best Scaffolding Project of the Year.
The company was recognised for a craneable scaffold delivered at the Hail Creek site in Queensland. The project addressed the risks of working inside confined Run of Mill bins by reversing the traditional approach.
The entire scaffold was pre-assembled inside a custom steel frame and lowered into position in one controlled lift.
The method removed almost all confined-space exposure. It reduced installation time and allowed millimetre-level placement in a high-risk environment. Engineers designed the structure to withstand vibration, dynamic forces and the irregular geometry of the bin.
Suspended scaffold recognised for work over water
Central Scaffolding & Rigging Services won Best Industrial Scaffolding Project of the Year. The company installed a suspended scaffold at a live operational wharf, where tidal movement and restricted access prevented any build from below.
Using Layher Allround, Flex Beam and tube-and-coupler systems, the team produced a balanced platform over open water. The design accounted for corrosion risks, tidal clearance and structural loading. Judges described it as a strong example of industrial planning and safe working near marine environments.
Civil award highlights heritage restrictions at Merri Creek
APS Industrial Services received Best Civil Scaffolding Project of the Year for its access system beneath the 1867 Merri Creek Bridge in Victoria. With no ability to fix into the bluestone structure or touch the waterway, APS developed a custom anchoring system mounted under the bridge deck.
The restricted location required rope access support and detailed environmental controls. Traffic above remained open throughout the works.
Inner-city chimney project wins commercial category
Granted Access won Best Commercial Scaffolding Project of the Year. The company wrapped a 40-metre heritage chimney in Collingwood, where only 700mm of space separated the structure from nearby apartment balconies.
A freestanding scaffold supported by a 10-kPa suspended gantry deck allowed remedial works without touching the fragile brickwork. The design followed two years of planning with structural engineers.
Small-scale award recognises suspended aluminium design
AN-CO Australia won Best Small-Scale Scaffolding Project of the Year for its access solution at Liberty Place in Sydney. The team delivered a fully suspended aluminium scaffold reinforced with steel and hung from lattice beams above the roofline. Rope access methods were used to install and remove the system. The work preserved the heritage facade and avoided drill fixings.
Tank swing-stage innovation earns ScafWest dual recognition
ScafWest received Best Aluminium and Swing Stage Project of the Year for its platform inside a fertiliser tank. The team assembled an 11-metre circular swing stage from curved aluminium trusses, with all components carried through a small manhole.
A multi-hoist lifting system allowed full 360-degree access inside the tank. The design was fully mocked up and load-tested before deployment.
Digital modelling approach secures design award
Scaffold Studio won Best Scaffold Design Project of the Year for its work at Reflections by the Sea. Using 3D laser scanning and ScaffPlan modelling, the team produced a digital twin of the site. This allowed load analysis and clash detection before installation.
The final solution was a cantilevered scaffold suspended above pools, balconies and public walkways. Counterweights, lifting rigs and tie systems formed part of the design.
Advanced mast climber system recognised at Collins Arch
Standard Access won Best Mast Climber Project of the Year for its work on Melbourne’s Collins Arch reclad programme. The hybrid system combined mast climbers, swing stages and tilting platforms to follow curved and negative-angle façades. The project was completed while the hotel and offices inside remained in use. Noise and privacy management formed part of the staging.
Sector marks year of technical progress
Organisers say this year’s awards highlight a high standard of work across the scaffolding sector. The projects span heritage protection, industrial access, digital engineering and complex façade works.
The Scaffolding Association Australia thanked entrants, judges and attendees for recognising the people and teams leading the industry forward.
