Australian mums are some of the savviest, most influential shoppers in the country, and every year, the Mum Central Awards shine a spotlight on the products and brands they trust the most. After the incredible success of last year’s program, we’re back with even more categories, even bigger recognition, and an even stronger platform to showcase the best in parenting, kids, lifestyle and family living.
And today, we’re thrilled to share something special with you, our 2025 nominees.
Before the general public has access and before the industry-wide launch in January, you’re receiving exclusive Earlybird access to nominate for the 2026 Mum Central Awards. This is a private invitation, released only to the brands that were part of our 2025 program. It’s our way of thanking you for being part of the Mum Central Awards community, and giving you first pick, first access and the best pricing of the year.
This is your head start.
Why Enter the 2026 Mum Central Awards?
The Mum Central Awards remain one of the most trusted, recognised and influential awards programs in the Australian parenting and lifestyle space. As a returning nominee, you already know the value, but here’s why the 2026 program is bigger and better:
- Gain national recognition across millions of Australian women
- Showcase standout products and services to families actively seeking the best
- Build credibility and trust, powered by real mum votes
- Leverage award status for marketing, packaging, retail and PR
- Reach a massive, engaged audience through Mum Central’s digital network
In 2025, we saw record-breaking engagement with tens of thousands of voting mums, huge readership across our nominee and winners’ features, and incredible visibility for every participating brand.
And as a 2025 nominee, you’re first in line for what promises to be our biggest program yet.
Key Dates: 2025 Nominees Get First Access
PHASE 1: SUPER EARLYBIRD LAUNCH OFFER (2025 Nominees Only)
$295 + GST | Available until 31 December 2025
The best price of the entire program, released exclusively to you.
PHASE 2: EARLYBIRD LAUNCH OFFER (2025 Nominees Only)
$325 + GST | Available 1-11 January 2026
A special loyalty rate for returning entrants only.
PHASE 3: OFFICIAL PUBLIC LAUNCH: 12 January 2026
$350 + GST
General nominations are open to all brands and all categories.
Important Dates
- Nominations & Submissions: 12 January – 13 February 2026
- All Entries Complete & Paid: 22 February 2026
- Nominees Announced & Voting Begins: 3 March 2026
- Voting Closes: 3 April 2026
- Winners Announced: 30 April 2026
As a 2025 nominee, you have priority time, priority access and priority pricing, long before the wider industry joins the race.
Introducing the 2026 Award Categories
We’ve expanded our categories to capture every corner of parenting and family life, from newborn essentials and feeding favourites to tech, travel, services, playtime and more.
PRAMS:
Best Travel Pram
Best Single Pram
Best Double Pram
Best Pram for Newborn
Best Pram Under $1,000
NURSERY:
Best Cot, Bassinet or Co-Sleeper
Best Playmat
Best Nursery Product
SLEEP:
Best Baby Monitor
Best Sleep Product
Best Baby Sleepwear
TRAVEL:
Best Car Seats & Capsules
Best Baby Carrier
Best Travel Product
NAPPY:
Best Nappy
Best Nappy Bags
Best Baby Wipes
FASHION:
Best Kids Clothing Brand
Best Baby Clothing Brand
Best Kids Swimwear Brand
PLAYTIME:
Best Educational Toy
Best Interactive Toy
Best Preschool Product (0–5 years)
Best Board Game or Card Game
Best Toy Brand
HEALTH:
Best Skin Product for Baby
Best Skin Product for Kids
Best Health Product or Service
FEEDING:
Best Baby Food Product, Accessory or Range
Best Baby Weaning Product
Best Toddler Feeding Product
Best Breast Pump
Best Breastfeeding Product
HOME & LIFESTYLE:
Best Cleaning Product
Best Kitchen Product
Best Home Lifestyle Product
Best Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Product
EXCELLENCE AWARDS:
Best Pregnancy/Maternity Product of the Year
Best Baby Product of the Year
Best Toddler Product of the Year
Best Kids Product of the Year
Best Teens & Tweens Product of the Year
Best School Product
Best Educational Service
Best Tech Product
Best Kids Parties
Kids Activities Award
Easy Eats Award
Best Not-for-Profit Service
Best New Product of 2025
Best Parenting Product of the Year
Best Parenting Service of the Year
Best Product of the Year
Best Brand of the Year
These awards recognise innovation, safety, value, creativity and the products and services that genuinely support the lives of Australian families.
Why Brands Love the Mum Central Awards
The Mum Central Awards aren’t just a badge; they’re a complete marketing asset.
- BOOST SALES: Parents actively look for, trust and purchase Mum Central Award–winning products. An award badge on your website, packaging or marketing instantly influences buying decisions.
- BUILD TRUST: Our voters are real mums across Australia. No panels, no politics, just genuine, community-backed validation.
- REACH A MASSIVE AUDIENCE: With more than a million women across our core network and tens of millions reached through extended channels, the visibility is unmatched.
- ELEVATE YOUR BRAND: From top-performing web features and social campaigns to newsletters, Reels, articles and traffic-driving content, nominees and winners are promoted across multiple channels.
- STAND OUT IN A CROWDED MARKET: With so many baby, kids and lifestyle brands competing for attention, a Mum Central Award is a powerful way to differentiate.
And as a 2025 nominee, you’re already ahead.
Who Should Enter?
This exclusive Earlybird invitation is for you, our 2025 nominees.
If you have a product or service designed for expecting parents, babies, toddlers, kids, tweens, teens or families, now is the time to re-enter and lock in your position for 2026.
Whether you launched something new this year or you’re continuing with your hero products, the awards are here to amplify your visibility and celebrate your excellence.
If your product solves a problem, sparks joy, supports parents or simply makes family life easier, you should be in the running again.
Ready to Nominate?
Our Earlybird nomination fee of $295 + GST is exclusively available to our 2025 nominees until 31 December. From then, the price will go up to $325+GST per category 1-11 January, when it then opens to the general public for new nominees on 12 January 2026 at $350 + GST per category.
BULK NOMINATION DISCOUNT: Please get in touch with Elaine Davies for nominations of 5 categories or more, as we offer a reduced rate for bulk nominations!
So if you want to:
- Build brand awareness
- Reach Australian mums
- Leverage award status
- Drive trust and visibility
- Celebrate your standout products
This is your moment, and these are your awards.
Please submit your nomination, secure your exclusive rate and get ready for our biggest awards program yet.
2026 Is Your Year. Let’s Celebrate the Best in Parenting
The 2026 Mum Central Awards are more than recognition — they’re a celebration of innovation, care, creativity and the incredible brands supporting Australian families every single day.
With new categories, a bigger audience and expanded visibility, the 2026 awards will be our most exciting yet.
Get in early, secure your nomination and join us in showcasing the best of the best
When Aussie mums choose, the whole country listens.
And in 2026, they’ll be choosing you.
