Emerging architects, interior designers, product designers and built environment innovators are invited to apply for the next 30UNDER30 cohort – with the program set to celebrate its five-year reunion.

Australian Design Review (ADR) has now opened entries for the 2026/2027 intake of its 30UNDER30 program, inviting Australia’s brightest emerging design talent to put themselves forward for one of the industry’s leading career development, mentorship and emering leadership opportunities.

Now entering its fifth year, 30UNDER30 has built a growing alumni network of more than 100 emerging designers, many of whom have gone on to become industry leaders, award-winners, studio founders and influential voices shaping the future of Australian design.

The 2026/2027 cohort will join the program at a significant milestone: its five-year reunion. Alongside the 2026/2027 cohort the program is inviting every 30UNDER30 participant since the program launched for a reunion to celebrate five years of connection, collaboration and industry impact. This special event will give the newest cohort the opportunity to connect with an established network of emerging design leaders.

For emerging practitioners considering an application, the milestone year offers a particularly timely opportunity to get involved.

More than an award

30UNDER30 is designed to accelerate careers, foster lasting industry relationships and support the next generation of design leaders.

Successful entrants will receive national recognition alongside a program of career development, mentorship and networking opportunities. A key component is the immersive three-day high-performance leadership and creativity retreat in Bali, bringing the cohort together with leading practitioners from across Australia’s architecture and design community, who act as judges selecting the final 30 from the shortlisted applicants before taking on the role of mentors during and after the retreat.

The experience continues throughout the following 12 months, with participants taking part in those mentorship opportunities, along with networking events, panel discussions and broader industry engagement. The program is intended not only to raise participants’ profiles, but to give them an active role in conversations shaping the future of Australian design.

A multidisciplinary community

Reflecting the increasingly collaborative nature of contemporary design practice, 30UNDER30 brings architects, interior designers, product designers and other built environment innovators together within a single cohort.

Cross-disciplinary exchange is central to the program, encouraging participants to share experiences, develop new perspectives and build relationships across the boundaries of traditional design disciplines.

Places are primarily allocated to Australia-based practitioners working in architecture and interior design, with dedicated positions also reserved for product designers and other professionals in the built environment, and the valuable perspectives they bring to the wider design community.

Learn from leading practitioners

Mentorship remains a cornerstone of the 30UNDER30 experience, with previous cohorts guided by figures from some of Australia’s leading architecture and design practices.

Previous mentors have included Kirsten Stanisich, Jeremy McLeod, Ninotschka Titchkosky, Sophia Leopardi, Mim Fanning, Ross Gardam, Sally Campbell, Brooke Lloyd, Chris Stribley, Dua Green, Ara Salamone, Brian Clohessy, Chris Hardy, Sally Wilson, Hamish Ginn, Steven Toia and Eva Sue.

David Flack and Yasmine Ghoniem have already been announced as mentors and judges for the 2026/2027 cohort and the other three will be profiled shortly.

This year, participants will also have access to the expanded 30UNDER30 alumni network as it returns for the five-year reunion – creating new opportunities for collaboration, connection and knowledge-sharing across generations of emerging designers.

Who can enter?

Entrants must be aged 30 or under at the time of entry. Applicants who have previously entered but been unsuccessful are encouraged to reapply, as long as they still fit the age criterion. Remember, tenacity is one of the greatest attributes a designer can have.

Applications will be assessed on the strength of each applicant’s folio, as well as the vision, motivation and creative perspective demonstrated through their written responses.

Shortlisted applicants will be announced later this year and invited to submit a two- to three-minute video, before the judging panel selects the final 30UNDER30 cohort.

Entries are open now

Entries for the 2026/2027 Australian Design Review 30UNDER30 program are now open.

For emerging designers who have been considering putting themselves forward – including previous entrants – this fifth-year milestone offers the chance to join a growing national network at a pivotal moment for the program.

Enter now via Awards Force before entries close.

ADR’s 30UNDER30 program is brought to you by co-major sponsors Neolith and King Living, alongside partners Designer Rugs, LAUFEN, Krost, Miele, Signature Appliances powered by Miele and Tongue & Groove.

ADR is also grateful to our 30UNDER30 practice partners AJC Architects, BLP, BVN, Cera Stribley, COX Architecture, Design by WBL, DKO, Genton, GroupGSA, Gray Puksand, Hare + Klein, Hassell, HDR, Lawless & Meyerson, Luchetti Krelle, Made For, Mim Design, Richards Stanisich, RIZEN Atelier, Rothelowman, SJB, T. Black and Tom Mark Henry for helping us foster the future of Australian design.

Follow @ausdesignreview and @adr30under30 and subscribe to ADR’s newsletter to stay up-to-date with the program.