2026 Business Excellence Awards applications are now OPEN.
Business Excellence Awards
Overview of Business Excellence Awards categories
You can nominate your business for the following business categories:
- Emerging Business Award
- Home-based Business Award
- Best Charitable Program Award
- Health and Wellbeing Award
- Diversity and Inclusion Award
- Customer Service Award
- Innovation Award
- Sustainability Award
Glen Eira Business of the Year
Winners in the above award categories will be considered for the Glen Eira Business of the Year.
Glen Eira Micro Business of the Year
All micro business applicants will be considered for the Glen Eira Micro Business of the Year.
Hall of Fame
Any business that has won at least three award categories within a 5-year period will automatically be included in the Hall of Fame.
Key dates
- Applications open: 1 June 2026
- Applications close: 13 July 2026
- Finalists Announced: 7 October 2026
- Award Night: 26 November 2026
More about the award categories
Each business category has specific questions. Businesses will be given extra points if they have community impact or contribute to community, and for overall business achievements.
Emerging Business Award
Is your new business already making waves in Glen Eira?
This award celebrates newly established Glen Eira businesses that have quickly demonstrated strong potential, innovation, and early success.
We’re recognising businesses that:
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Have been operating for less than two years, with an ABN registered no earlier than January 2024.
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Have introduced creative initiatives or innovative approaches that show clear growth and momentum.
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Are already making a positive impact on customers, industry, or the local economy within their first two years of operation.
If your business is building a strong foundation, showing bold ideas, and paving the way for a bright future — this award is for you.
Home-based Business Award
Is your home-based business making a meaningful impact in Glen Eira?
This award recognises Glen Eira businesses that operate from home-based premises — whether online, mobile, or by appointment — and have demonstrated strong performance, creativity, and professionalism.
We’re recognising businesses that:
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Successfully navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of working from home while delivering high-quality outcomes.
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Demonstrate excellence in one or more key areas of business practice.
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Have excelled in at least one of the general award categories: Health and Wellbeing, Diversity and Inclusion, Customer Service, Innovation and/or Sustainability.
If your home-based business is thriving, delivering excellence, and making waves beyond the home office — this award is for you.
Best Charitable Program Award
Is your business making a meaningful difference by giving back to the community?
This award recognises Glen Eira businesses that have developed and delivered impactful charitable programs, demonstrating a genuine commitment to community support and positive social change.
We’re recognising businesses that:
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Design and implement charitable initiatives that support local charities, causes, or community needs in a meaningful and intentional way.
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Demonstrate a clear commitment to social responsibility by embedding charitable giving or community support into their business values.
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Measure and reflect on the impact of their charitable programs to ensure lasting, sustainable benefits for the community.
If your business is leading with purpose, generosity, and impact — and helping create positive change beyond business — this award is for you.
Health and Wellbeing Award
Are you a Glen Eira business championing health and wellbeing?
This award celebrates local businesses that are making a meaningful difference by supporting health, happiness, and quality of life — for their teams, customers, or the wider community.
We’re recognising businesses that:
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Lead the way with innovative, thoughtful, or best practice health and wellbeing initiatives.
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Actively implement strategies that support physical, mental, and/or emotional wellbeing within their workplace or through their services.
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Create positive, supportive environments that encourage healthier and more balanced lifestyles.
If your business is creating healthier spaces, nurturing wellbeing, or contributing positively to community health — this award is for you.
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Is your business creating a workplace or community where everyone belongs?
This award celebrates Glen Eira businesses that are leading the way in fostering inclusive, respectful, and diverse environments — where people of all backgrounds feel valued and empowered to thrive.
We’re recognising businesses that:
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Champion equal opportunity and inclusion through their workplace practices, products, services, or community initiatives.
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Actively implement strategies that embrace and celebrate diversity across culture, gender, age, ability, and identity.
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Create welcoming, inclusive spaces that promote fairness, respect, and a strong sense of belonging.
If your business is breaking down barriers, embracing diversity, and building a culture where everyone feels included — this award is for you.
Customer Service Award
Does your business deliver exceptional customer service?
This award recognises Glen Eira businesses that consistently go above and beyond to create outstanding customer experiences — the kind that build loyalty, inspire trust, and keep people coming back.
We’re recognising businesses that:
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Deliver exceptional customer service through standout products, thoughtful initiatives, or personalised experiences.
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Use customer first strategies that respond to needs, exceed expectations, and set a high standard for service excellence.
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Turn everyday interactions into positive, memorable experiences that strengthen customer relationships.
If your business is known for putting customers at the heart of everything you do — this award is for you.
Innovation Award
Does your business like to shake things up in your industry, market, or community?
This award celebrates Glen Eira businesses that embrace innovation — driving positive change through fresh ideas, creative thinking, and bold solutions that make a real impact.
We’re recognising businesses that:
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Have introduced new or improved products, services, processes, or business models that deliver measurable results.
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Embrace innovative strategies to improve performance, solve challenges, or unlock new opportunities.
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Demonstrate forward thinking and adaptability in response to changing markets, customer needs, or community demands.
If your business is future focused, open to new ideas, and not afraid to lead the way — this award is for you.
Sustainability Award
Is your business leading the way toward a greener future?
This award recognises Glen Eira businesses — big or small — that are making sustainability more than just a buzzword by driving genuine environmental change through action and innovation.
We’re recognising businesses that:
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Champion environmentally responsible products, services, or initiatives that support sustainability and the circular economy.
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Implement practical, measurable sustainability practices that reduce environmental impact.
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Embed environmental responsibility into their everyday business operations and decision making.
If your business is committed to protecting the environment and building a more sustainable future — this award is for you.
Glen Eira Business of the Year
Winners in the above awards categories will be considered for the Glen Eira Business of the Year. The winner of this category will be selected by the selection panel and awarded by the Mayor.
Glen Eira Micro Business of the Year
All micro business applicants will be considered for the Glen Eira Micro Business of the Year.
A Micro business is a small-scale enterprise operating with fewer than 5 employees, including the owner(s).
Hall of Fame
Any business that has won at least three award categories within a 5-year period will become members of the Hall of Fame.
Reasons to participate
- Raising the profile of your business.
- An opportunity to reflect on and celebrate your business’s achievements with your staff and community.
- The opportunity to network with local business owners at the Awards Night and celebrate the winners.
- All entrants will be listed on our website and receive a certificate for participation.
- Finalists will receive a certificate, branding materials for their recognition and will be included in a booklet promoted at the Awards Night and to our business community.
- Finalists may also have the chance to participate in a range of opportunities to tell their story and promote their business.
- Along with a certificate and gift, winners will also receive a photo opportunity with the Mayor, promotion on Council’s website and Glen Eira News, along with digital business awards branding materials.
Business support
Do you need general guidance and clarification of the criteria and application process?
Contact the Economic Development Team by email at BExcellenceAwards@gleneira.vic.gov.au. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
2026 Business Excellence Awards Information Sessions
Information session 1
Monday 15 June 2026 2pm – 3pm
Information session 2
Monday 22 June 2026 6pm – 7pm
Information session 3
Monday 29 June 2026 10am – 11am
FAQs
Can I make changes after I submit my nomination?
Submitted applications are final and changes cannot be made.
Can I apply if I have a few offices?
Your head office must be within Glen Eira.
Can I apply if I applied for last year’s Glen Eira Business Excellence Awards?
Yes, entrants, finalists and winners from last year can apply for the Glen Eira Business Excellence Awards 2026. You cannot apply if you have been a winner in at least three business awards categories in the past 5 years.
In how many business awards categories can I apply?
You can apply in only one category.
What is the assessment process?
All entrants will undergo due diligence checks and an assessment process. The assessment process will include both officer review and deliberation by a Councillor panel before winners and finalists are endorsed by Council.
Each business awards category has four specific questions. The first question is around the priority area of the category they nominate in and has a weighting of 50%. The second question is about measuring impact and has a weighting of 30%. 10% weighting is given to both community impact and overall business achievements.
Do I need to register to attend the Awards Night?
Yes, tickets for the Awards Night will go on sale closer to the event and promoted via our business newsletter and What’s On.
