Sunday 16th August saw Australia and New Zealand’s most outstanding beauty professionals celebrated with winners of the 15th annual 2026 ANZ Beauty Industry Awards (ABIAs) announced at a spectacular gala evening at the ICC Sydney.
Notable winners on the night included Luminary Melbourne named ABIA Australian Spa/Salon/Clinic Of The Year 2026 (4 rooms or Less), Macquarie Medi Spa named ABIA Australian Spa/Salon/Clinic Of The Year 2026 (5 rooms or more) and Eliza McArlein of E’Aesthetics Skin named ABIA Dermal Therapist of the Year 2026. Rachael Stevens was also recognised for giving back so generously outside the industry with the ABIA Humanitarian of the Year 2026 award, and industry icons Jeffrey and Sandi Daley were inducted together into the Hall of Fame.
Established in 2011 by industry leader Mocha Group, the ABIAs are proud to have built a reputation as the beauty and aesthetic industry’s premier awards program, setting the benchmark for excellence across specialist and individual categories.
Winners were announced at the prestigious 2026 ABIA Gala, with the ICC ballroom providing the perfect backdrop for an evening of red-carpet glamour, world-class entertainment and celebration of industry excellence. Under the guidance of the irrepressible Adam Williams the evening opened with a fresh and stylish spin on the Rat Pack, with Les Femmes trio taking on iconic songs made famous by men, and reimagining them through three powerhouse female voices. Emma Mylott, Jacinta Gulisano and Kirrah Amosa were joined by live saxophone and percussion, delivering bold new arrangements on some of the greatest tracks of all time.
All guests enjoyed a Red Carpet Pre-Drink Reception before the awards, complete with Photo Booth and Glam Bot, followed by an exclusive onsite After Party welcoming back to the stage Les Femmes trio for guests to dance and continue the celebrations, proudly sponsored by Lira Clinical and Saint Minerals.
AUSTRALIAN SPA/SALON/CLINIC OF THE YEAR
5 Treatment rooms or More. Sponsored by Mocha Beauty
Macquarie Medi Spa
KARLA MCDIARMID PICTURED WITH JARRED STEDMAN, LINDA WOODHEAD AND KELLIE WOODHEAD, MOCHA GROUP
This year’s entries were independently assessed by a distinguished judging panel comprising respected industry leaders, educators and business experts. Their collective expertise, commercial insight and commitment to recognising excellence ensured the highest standards throughout the judging process and reinforced the ABIAs as the industry’s most respected awards program. One of their most important tasks was selecting the 2026 Beauty Squad, the esteemed industry program championing emerging talent, sponsored by Elleebana, Gay Wardle Skin Institute, Inskincosmedics, Dermapenworld and Candela.
Spanning 33 award categories the ABIAs attracted over 350 entries. This was a record-breaking result that reflected the continued growth and strength of the industry, as well as the expanding influence of the awards throughout Australia and New Zealand. A significant milestone for 2026 was the introduction of dedicated entries for the two prestigious categories of Australian Beauty Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year, with these coveted national titles entered directly rather than being determined from state category winners.
AUSTRALIAN SPA/SALON/CLINIC OF THE YEAR
4 Treatment rooms or Less. Sponsored by Mocha Beauty
Luminary Melbourne
Linda Woodhead, CEO and founder of the ABIAs and Mocha Group, celebrated the winners:
“Tonight was everything this industry deserves, a room full of talent, passion and genuine celebration of what the beauty profession does best. To see everyone together for a night like this, with New Zealand proudly part of the ABIA family now, is a reminder of just how far we have come. Congratulations to every winner, you represent the very best of our industry, and we can’t wait to see what you achieve next.”
2026 Beauty Squad with Sponsors: Elleebana, Gay Wardle Skin Institute, Inskincosmedics, Dermapenworld and Candela.
The 2026 ANZ Beauty Industry Awards are proudly sponsored by Aura 300, Dermapenworld, Saint Minerals, SaCsa, Epicutis, Biodroga, Circadia, SkinMed, Beauty Expo Australia, Global Beauty Group, Dermalogica, Candela, inskincosmedics, Phorest, Elly Lukas, Inspire Brands, A.P.M.A.C, Gay Wardle Skin Institute, Comfortel, Elleebanna, Karen Geiszler, The Australian Dermal Laser Institute, Vital Plus, Australian Dermal Science Institute and Lira Clinical, with Mocha Beauty, a division of Mocha Group, serving as the Official Media Partner.
From left:
2026 ABIA Humanitarian Award, sponsored by Mocha group Rachael Stevens with Louise May (mocha group) and 2026 ABIA Hall of Fame Inductees, sponsored by Elleebana, Jeffrey and Sandi Daley
2025 ABIA WINNERS
Junior Therapist of the Year
Sponsored by
Australian Dermal Science Institute
Sara Willey, Luminary Melbourne
Beauty Therapist of the Year
Sponsored by Vital Plus
Danielle Dyer, Unspoken Skin & Brows
Dermal Therapist of the Year
Sponsored by Dermalogica
Eliza McArlein, E’Aesthetics Skin
Cosmetic Tattooist of the Year
Sponsored by A.P.M.A.C
Nicole Brown, Pro Artistry
Best Sales or Business Development Representative
Sponsored by Aura 300
Sara Whithorn
Beauty Squad
Sponsored by Candela, Dermapenworld, Elleebana, Gay Wardle Skin Institute, and Inskincosmedics
Abbey Greig, Naked Aesthetics
Blaize Ciallella, B Aesthetics
Eliza McArlein, E’Aesthetics Skin
Lisa Brodie, Luxe Health Clinic
Australian Wholesaler of the Year
Sponsored by Inspire Brands
The Global Beauty Group
Best Marketing Award
Sponsored by Gay Wardle Skin Institute
Unspoken Skin & Brows
Best Salon/Spa/Clinic Design
Sponsored by Comfortel
The Agency of Skin and Ink
Best Non-Salon Business Performance of the Year
Sponsored by Mocha Beauty
Inskin Cosmedics
Best Business Coach
Sponsored by Beauty Expo Australia
Jade Spehr, JadeStart
Sole Operator of the Year
Sponsored by Karen Geiszler Training
Jade Wignall, Westcoast Laser
Business Director/Owner of the Year
Sponsored by Elly Lukas
Abby Stuart, Oi Cosmetic Studio
Best Salon/Spa/Clinic Training
Sponsored by Candela
Cosmedica Skin
Best Newcomer Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year
Sponsored by
The Australian Dermal Laser Institute
The Agency of Skin and Ink
Customer Care Award
Sponsored by The Global Beauty Group
The Skin Coaches
Educator of the Year – Individual
Sponsored by Mocha Beauty
Hayley Barnes
Educator of the Year – Organisation
Sponsored by Phorest
Australian Dermal Science Institute
Educator of the Year
Product/Equipment Company
Sponsored by Mocha Beauty
The Australian Dermal & Laser Institute
Salon/Spa/Clinic Team of the Year
Sponsored by Inskin Cosmedics
Marlo Spa
NSW/ACT Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year
4 Treatment Rooms or Less
Sponsored by Dermapenworld
Illuminate Skin and Body
QLD Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year
4 Treatment Rooms or Less
Sponsored by SkinMed
Tivoli Rose Skin + Beauty
VIC/TAS/SA Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year
4 Treatment Rooms or Less
Sponsored by SaCSA
Adelphè Wellness
WA/NT Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year
4 Treatment Rooms or Less
Sponsored by Biodroga
B Aesthetics
NSW/ACT Salon/Spa of the Year
5 Treatment Rooms or More
Sponsored by Saint Minerals
The Skin Clinic Concord
QLD Salon/Spa/Clinic of the Year
5 Treatment Rooms or More
Sponsored by Lira Clinical
Aeon Aesthetics
VIC/TAS/SA Salon/Spa of the Year
5 Treatment Rooms or More
Sponsored by Epicutis
Empowering Beauty AU
WA/NT Salon/Spa of the Year
5 Treatment Rooms or More
Sponsored by Circadia
Cosmedica Skin Mindarie
NEW ZEALAND SALON/SPA/CLINIC OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Mocha Beauty
Face. Body & Beauty Clinic
AUSTRALIAN SPA/SALON/CLINIC OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Mocha Beauty
4 Treatment rooms or Less
Luminary Melbourne
AUSTRALIAN SPA/SALON/CLINIC OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Mocha Beauty
5 Treatment rooms or More
Macquarie Medi Spa
Hall of Fame
Sponsored by Elleebana
Jeffrey and Sandi Daley
Humanitarian Award
Sponsored by Mocha group
Rachael Stevens
