Guide to applying

Entering business awards is a rewarding experience for your organisation and employees with benefits such as greater brand awareness, improved staff morale and increased sales. It’s a good opportunity to reflect on the goals, strategies and vision that have led to your success and to use those insights to drive future planning and even greater success.

Key dates

• Applications open 9 April 2024
• Applications close 26 May 2024
• Finalists announced 27 June 2024
• People’s Choice Award voting opens 27 June 2024
• Tickets on sale 27 June 2024
• Winners announced at gala dinner 2 August 2024 at Belmont 16s

Application process

• Review categories and criteria
• Register an account (or login if you have an existing account)
• Draft your answers in Word so you have a copy
• Complete the application online
• Apply for multiple categories if you are eligible - tailor each application 

Enter now

Judging process

• Applications are checked to ensure they are eligible
• Expert panel of judges are assigned to relevant categories
• Each application assessed by three judges, including a subject matter expert
• All finalists and winners confirmed by judging panel

Tips for applying

• Read the criteria and questions carefully for each category. 
• Allow enough time to write clear insightful answers and get input from others.
• Aim for quality, fully answer each question and use the full word limit.
• Applications are assessed on the information provided, no further research is allowed.
• Be specific about what has been achieved, points of difference, why are you a worthy winner?
• Demonstrate successes - prove it with engaging examples, data, key initiatives, measurable outcomes, data, growth figures, etc.
• Include future plans, goals and actions to achieve them if relevant.
• Check the scoring guide below.
• Don’t leave it to the last day.

Who can apply?

This is only a summary so please check the specific entry and eligibility criteria for the relevant category.

• Businesses must be located and operating in the Lake Macquarie region and hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN). This does not apply to the individual categories.
• Individuals must have worked for their organisation for a minimum of 18-months at the time of entry and the organisation must be based in Lake Macquarie. Outstanding Young Business Leader applicants must be aged under 35; Outstanding Business Leader must be aged 36 years or over.
• Outstanding Community Organisations must be a social enterprise and not-for-profit organisation that has been trading for a period of over 24-months.
• Recipients of previous awards are eligible to apply again up to a maximum of three consecutive years. Unsuccessful applicants from previous awards are also eligible to apply again.
• We value diversity and inclusion and encourage individuals and businesses to apply regardless of ability, age, gender, cultural background or religion.
• Eligible postcodes in Lake Macquarie (some streets in these postcodes may not be in Lake Macquarie): 2259 | 2264 | 2265 | 2267 | 2278 | 2280 | 2281 | 2282 | 2283 2284 | 2285 | 2286 | 2287 | 2289 | 2290 | 2305 | 2306 | 2323

You are NOT eligible to apply if you are:

• an employee, Regional President, State Councillor or Board Member of NSW Business Chamber Limited or Lake Macquarie City Council 
• a judge in the 2024 Business Awards program (or were a judge for the specific category in 2023).