Top 10 Best Creative Agencies in Australia (2025)
A strong creative agency is crucial for business success and marketing effectiveness. In Australia, we’re fortunate to be home to leading creative agencies known for their world-class creativity, strategic thinking, award-winning campaigns and integrated marketing solutions that drive measurable business growth. From Sydney to Melbourne to Brisbane and beyond, here are the top creative agencies in Australia as judged by the world’s top award shows, all rightly recognised for their ability to hero world-class creativity, brand strategy and integrated marketing campaigns powered by AI and innovation. Read on for the top 10 list of the best creative agencies in Australia, including the very best independent agencies in Australia and capped off with the award-winning HERO Agency at #1, to see what makes them the best.
HERO - Campaign Brief Australia Agency of the Year for the second consecutive year
For the second year in a row, HERO has been ranked #1 Agency of the Year in the Campaign Brief Hot List. With CB recieving over 300 agency submissions, it’s a testament to HERO’s world-class creativity, strategic thinking, award-winning campaigns and integrated marketing solutions that drive measurable business growth.
Year on year HERO continues to rank at the top of Australia's most awarded advertising agencies for both creative and effectiveness. This includes being named Effies APAC and Australian #1 Independent, as well as Agency of the Year at the New York Festivals, Campaign Brief, Mumbrella, AdNews and B&T. And recognised at the world's top global award shows, including the Cannes Lions, One Show, Clios, London International Awards, D&AD, Adfest and Spikes Asia.
Over the past year, HERO has again solidified its reputation as one of Australia’s most creatively awarded independent agencies, earning accolades across a spectrum of prestigious platforms. The agency secured a Silver Cannes Lion, Golds at AWARD, and a Grand Prix at Mad Stars for Maybelline’s “Through Their Eyes” campaign, which also received top honours at Spikes Asia. HERO’s work for Toyota and Fujifilm also garnered extensive recognition, with the Fujifilm Instax Mindography campaign awarded metal at Spikes and recognised in the Mumbrella Award for Innovation. The agency’s creative excellence was further celebrated with AdNews’ Social Media Campaign of the Year and Game Changer of the Year awards. These achievements reflect HERO’s commitment to effectiveness through creativity, reinforcing its position as a top-tier agency in both local and global markets.Bear Meets Eagle On Fire - Cannes Grand Prix winners FOR cinematic storytelling
Bear Meets Eagle On Fire has enjoyed a stellar run of creative recognition, most notably winning the Cannes Lions Grand Prix in Film Craft for its Telstra campaign “Better on a Better Network,” created in collaboration with +61 and Revolver. The agency also earned accolades at Spikes Asia, AdFest, and AWARD Awards, with standout work including the witty Bankwest platform “Just Enough Bank” and Telstra’s vintage silent film series. Their Cannes success was widely celebrated across the industry, reinforcing BMEOF’s reputation for bold, cinematic storytelling and creative originality.
Droga5 Australia - Rebranded and reignited
Droga5 Australia (formerly The Monkeys) marked its rebrand with a retrospective of 18 years of iconic campaigns and a renewed creative push. The agency won Creative Effectiveness and Strategy Jury leadership at Spikes Asia, launched standout work for SBS and the Australian Defence Force, and was shortlisted for multiple AWARD Awards and Cannes Lions.
Special - globally awarded work for Uber Eats and Pepsi Max.
Special has continued its rise as one of Australia’s most creatively and strategically awarded independents. The agency won Creative Agency of the Year at the IAB NZ Digital Advertising Awards, and secured major pitches including The Lottery Corporation and Coopers Brewery. Its campaigns for Uber Eats, Pepsi Max, and Kitchen Warehouse have been widely celebrated, with Uber Eats’ work recognised globally as “Work of the Week” by Little Black Book.
Howatson - PITCHING AND WINNING
Hugely ambitious Howatson+Co has been a rapidly growing presence in Australia, winning the AFR creative account, launching Plus Also Studios for Endeavour Group and earning multiple accolades both here and abroad. The agency’s work for Modibodi and Domain, among others, has been recognised at Cannes Lions, LIA, and the Gerety Awards, while the agency continues to appear on multiple pitch lists across Sydney and Melbourne.
Thinkerbell - Measured Magic
Thinkerbell’s philosophy of Measured Magic continued to blend creativity with behavioural science, winning the World’s Greatest Shave account and launching campaigns for XXXX, Dan Murphy’s, and Garnier. The agency was also a finalist at the Effie Awards and its work was praised for cultural relevance and emotional depth.
BMF: Effie-winning CREATIVITY
Long-standing Sydney agency BMF maintained its reputation for effectiveness and creativity, winning top honours at the Effie Awards and launching campaigns for ALDI and other major brands. The agency’s creative culture and strategic rigour were highlighted in industry profiles and award submissions.
TBWA - THE DISRUPTION NETWORK
TBWA’s creativity secured a major win this year by landing the Australian Defence Force Recruiting account, a highly competitive pitch that marked a strategic milestone for TBWA\Melbourne. The agency’s creative leadership, including Katrina Alvarez-Jarratt, has been spotlighted for championing “disruption” and pushing boundaries in Australian advertising . TBWA also featured prominently in the 2025 AXIS Awards, with Shane Bradnick named as one of the jury presidents and continues to be recognised for its contributions to both government and commercial campaigns across the region.
VML - social impact with Linkt and customer-CENTRIC creativity
VML was appointed Creative Agency of Record for Transurban’s Linkt, launched the Legacy Taps campaign for veterans, and featured in the Effie Awards and AWARD School judging panels. The agency’s work has focused on customer experience, social impact, and digital innovation.
TABOO - social impact campaigns that won hearts and government briefs.
Taboo has made notable strides with campaigns like Split Second for TAC, which empowered young filmmakers and addressed road safety. The agency also won the Victoria Department of Transport and Planning account and launched creative work for FUNDAY and other lifestyle brands, reinforcing its reputation for creative campaign activations.