JTB Studios takes home Website of the Year, in three-award Australian Web Awards clean sweep
Melbourne Digital Agency JTB Studios has delivered one of the standout results of this year’s Australian Web Awards, securing three of the industry’s most prestigious honours for its work on Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) . The project was awarded the 2026 McFarlane Prize for Site of the Year, Best in Show for User Experience, and Best Headless Website.
The result marks a rare clean sweep across strategy, experience design and technical delivery, with the winning project recognised not only for its visual execution but for its performance across accessibility, content, UX, development and SEO. The McFarlane Prize, regarded as the highest honour awarded at the Australian Web Awards, is presented to the project that demonstrates excellence across all judging disciplines.
Developed by JTB Studios in partnership with VCASS, the website was designed to better reflect the school’s unique position as Australia’s leading specialist government secondary school for emerging artists, musicians, dancers and performers.
The project involved a complete reimagining of the school’s digital presence, including a refined visual identity, a new user experience strategy and a modern headless architecture designed to improve flexibility, performance and long-term scalability.
The resulting platform balances the needs of prospective students and families with the operational requirements of school staff, creating a digital experience that is both highly engaging and easy to manage.
For JTB Studios CEO Jeremy Bogdanowicz, the recognition reflects a broader shift in how digital projects are judged: “Great websites are no longer judged solely on how they look. The best digital experiences combine strategy, user experience, accessibility, performance and technology into something that genuinely helps people achieve their goals.
“VCASS is an extraordinary institution producing some of Australia’s most talented young artists. The challenge was creating a digital platform that reflected that standard while also making it easier for students, parents and educators to navigate the school’s offering. These awards are recognition ofthe team’s commitment to building work that performs as well as it looks.”
The project was delivered by a multidisciplinary team including Creative Director Brendan Sharman, Lead Headless Developer David Kennedy, Senior Digital Project Manager Philippa Brown and Principal Product & Experience Strategist Paul Vayanos.
The win continues a strong run of industry recognition for JTB Studios, which has received accolades across both Australian and international award programs for its work spanning education, professional services, retail and not-for-profit organisations. The agency has previously been recognised by the w3 Awards, CSS Design Awards and Better Future Australian Design Awards.
While the three Australian Web Awards trophies represent a significant milestone for the agency, Bogdanowicz says the focus remains firmly on outcomes rather than accolades: “Awards are wonderful recognition, but they’re ultimately a by-product of solving problems well. The most rewarding part of this project is seeing VCASS equipped with a platform that reflects the quality of its education offering and supports the next generation of creative talent.”
The Australian Web Awards, run by the Australian Web Industry Association, have recognised excellence in Australian digital design and development since 2005 and are judged by leading practitioners from across the country’s digital industry.
See the project at https://www.jtbstudios.com.au/projects/vcass/
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