About the awards

Participating in the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards is an exceptional opportunity for local businesses to showcase their achievements, raise their profile and celebrate their contribution to the Maroondah community. Participants also benefit from exclusive marketing, business development and networking opportunities.

Our judges not only choose a winner in each category, they also select one exceptional business as the Maroondah Business of the Year.

Arts and creative services

Recognising businesses that demonstrate creativity, innovation, and artistic talent in fields including visual arts, performing arts, design, media and cultural endeavours. From artists and designers to creative agencies and cultural organizations, this category honours those who contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape of the Maroondah community through their artistic endeavours and creative expressions

Health and wellness

Recognising businesses that promote physical, mental and emotional well-being in the community including healthcare providers, fitness centres, wellness studios, nutritionists, mental health practitioners, spas, beauty services and other establishments offering services aimed at enhancing individuals' overall health.

Educational services

Recognising businesses that promote learning and personal development ranging from educational providers and training services to tutoring programs and sports instruction. This category honours those that contribute to the educational growth and well-being of individuals in the region, including early childhood education and adult community education services.

Manufacturing

Recognising businesses that demonstrate innovation, efficiency, quality, and cutting-edge design in their manufacturing processes and technological advancements. From manufacturing facilities incorporating design technology to enhanced product development to leveraging technology for creative solutions, this category honours businesses that integrate advanced technology and design principles to drive progress and excellence in their respective industries. 

Not-for-profit

This award acknowledges a finalist or winner that has excelled in this category by demonstrating a commitment to charitable or educational causes, addressing societal issues and promoting equity and unity within the community.

Professional services

Recognising professional services businesses that exemplify outstanding performance, strategic vision, service delivery, operational excellence, and a commitment to continuous improvement including legal firms, accounting services, architectural firms, engineering services, management consulting , advertising services, market research companies, financial services, IT services providers, human resources consulting and environmental consulting businesses.

Retail and hospitality

Recognising hospitality businesses including cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels caterers and accommodation and retail business selling consumer goods through diverse channels, including physical retail locations, e-commerce platforms, and direct sales approaches. This category celebrates excellence in customer experience, product offerings, operational efficiency, marketing strategies, community impact, and sustainability practices, recognising leaders who drive innovation and success in these dynamic industries.

Trades and construction

Recognising businesses that excel in domestic and civil construction, landscaping, urban design, infrastructure development, and traditional building trades. This award celebrates businesses that demonstrate exceptional quality, design innovation and sustainable practices in their projects, setting high standards for business performance and industry leadership.

Who can enter the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards? 

Entry is open to businesses registered within the City of Maroondah who have been in continuous operation for a minimum period of two years as 20 April 2026. View the municipal boundaries for Maroondah City Council.

The business must hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN).

The business must be more than 60 per cent Australian owned, with the owners or founders responsible for making the key management decisions.

Entry is not open to franchisee businesses.

How do I enter the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards?

Nominations are currently closed. To be notified when nominations open for 2027 subscribe to our BizHub eNews.

Who are the Maroondah Business Excellence Award judges?

Our award judges are distinguished professionals with diverse business backgrounds, possessing extensive industry expertise. Committed to fostering growth and mentorship within the business community, our judges bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the evaluation process.

1. Entry is open to businesses registered within the City of Maroondah who have been in continuous operation for a minimum period of two years as of 20 April 2026. View the municipal boundaries for Maroondah City Council

2. The business must hold a current Australian Business Number (ABN). 

3. The business must be more than 60 per cent Australian owned, with the owners or founders responsible for making the key management decisions. 

4. The business must not have been subject to court proceedings in the 12 months prior to Thursday 17 September 2026. This includes the owner or founders in a personal capacity. 

5. The business must not be subject to unresolved proceedings against Maroondah City Council. 

6. Entry into the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards 2026 is not open to members of the Maroondah Business Advisory Committee, elected representatives of the City of Maroondah and Maroondah City Council employees. 

7. Entry into the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards 2026 is not open to sponsors, suppliers and judges of the Awards or sponsors  of Maroondah BizMonth. 

8. Maroondah City Council accepts no responsibility for any nominations or entries not completed by the closing time. 

9. Maroondah City Council collects your personal information for the purpose of administering the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards 2026. Your information will be disclosed to the participating advisors and judges but will not be distributed to any other parties. Maroondah City Council will also use the information to keep you informed of other business-related activities. At any time you can remove yourself from this database by emailing bizhub@maroondah.vic.gov.au. 

10. Maroondah City Council reserves the right to disqualify any entrant or business who Council has reason to believe has breached any of these terms and conditions, or engaged in any unlawful, fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, or other improper misconduct that may jeopardise the fair and proper conduct of the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards or otherwise bring the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards into disrepute or damage the goodwill or reputation of the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards or Maroondah City Council. 

11. In entering the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards 2026, entrants declare that the information provided is true and accurate at the time of completion. 

12. It is a condition of entry that entrants may be profiled in the media and Maroondah City Council will publicise finalists and recipients of the Awards. 

13. All entrants must be available for a free one-on-one session with an experienced business management consultant who is an independent advisor. 

14. Entrants shortlisted as finalists must be available for a business site visit and interview in August 2026 and the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards 2026 Recognition Event on Friday 4 September and the Gala Dinner on Thursday 17 September 2026. 

15. It is acknowledged that the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards 2026 are a competition. The decision of the judges is final no correspondence will be entered into. All entrants agree to comply with all Conditions of Entry outlined above.