New England North West

The Outstanding Employee Award recognises an inspirational employee who has demonstrated a passion for their role and a commitment to their workplace and the community.

Entry criteria 

Employers are required to highlight their employees’ commitment over the past 12 months to their workplace, the community, and to being an outstanding employee. To be eligible to enter this category, the employee must have been employed by their current employer for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry.

In partnership with Club Quirindi

2026 Finalists

Geoff Bower - Andromeda Industries, Moonbi

Grace Hull - The Alternate Root, Uralla

Kathie Williamson - Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service, Tamworth

Tahlia Ward - Sage Services Group, Tamworth

Timothy Chandler - Apsley Riverview Residential Aged Care, Walcha

The Outstanding Young Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader, aged 35 or under at the time of entry, who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry, and the community through leadership.

Entry criteria

Entrants must demonstrate their ability to lead and inspire people, showcasing exceptional leadership skills and strategic decision-making, while demonstrating how they have effectively utilised resources to achieve strong organisational outcomes, drive innovation, and deliver measurable success over the past 18 months.

Entrants must also demonstrate financial responsibility and success, outlining how their leadership has contributed to the organisation’s financial stability, performance, or growth. This may include evidence of responsible financial management, improved financial outcomes, or initiatives that have strengthened the organisation’s overall financial position.

To be eligible for this category, the individual must have held a senior management or executive-level position within their organisation for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry.

In partnership with with Tim Coates

2026 Finalists

Addam Lewis - Sage Services Group, Tamworth

Amy Davis - Temptations Intimate Photography, Tamworth

Chantelle Corby - Callie Pilates, Tamworth

Josh Turner - JT Photographic Studios, The Above & Beyond Media Co, Ironleaf Creative, East Tamworth

Kyle Ridley - Ridarc Electrical, Tamworth

The Outstanding Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader, aged 36 years or over at the time of entry, who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry, and the community through leadership, while providing mentorship to others.

Entry criteria

Entrants must demonstrate their ability to lead and inspire people, showcasing exceptional leadership skills and strategic decision-making, while demonstrating how they have effectively utilised resources to achieve strong organisational outcomes, drive innovation, and deliver measurable success over the past 18 months.

Entrants must also demonstrate financial responsibility and success, outlining how their leadership has contributed to the organisation’s financial stability, performance, or growth. This may include evidence of responsible financial management, improved financial outcomes, or initiatives that have strengthened the organisation’s overall financial position.

To be eligible for this category, the individual must have held a senior management or executive-level position within their organisation for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry.

In partnership with with Liverpool Plains Business Chamber

2026 Finalists

Berdine Warne - Little Birdy Enterprises, The Alternate Root and The Rustic Fig, Uralla

Gary Sills - Many Fabrication & Engineering, Gunnedah

Jacqui Powell- Partner Now Property, Tamworth

Troy Jackson-Rose - New England Support Services, Armidale

Xander Peters – axxis, Armidale

The Outstanding Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader, aged 36 years or over at the time of entry, who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry, and the community through leadership, while also providing mentorship to others.

Entry criteria

Entrants must demonstrate their ability to lead and inspire people, showcasing exceptional leadership skills and strategic decision-making, while demonstrating how they have effectively utilised resources to achieve strong organisational outcomes, drive innovation, and deliver measurable success over the past 18 months.

Entrants must also demonstrate financial responsibility and success, outlining how their leadership has contributed to the organisation’s financial stability, performance, or growth. This may include evidence of responsible financial management, improved financial outcomes, or initiatives that have strengthened the organisation’s overall financial position.

To be eligible for this category, the individual must have held a senior management or executive-level position within their organisation for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry.

In partnership with Alshae Group

2026 Finalists

Ashleigh Foy - Nurture and Nourish Collective, Tamworth

Jeremy Bainbridge - GJ Gardner Homes Tamworth, Hillvue

Martin Howes - Centrepoint Tamworth, Tamworth

Payal Patel - Pause Allied Health, Tamworth

Stephanie Slavin - Steph's Dog Grooming & Retreat, Tintinhull

This award celebrates the NSW businesses taking Australian excellence to the world whether through exporting, technology, partnerships, international expansion, global trade, or digital service delivery. It recognises the businesses shaping Australia's global reputation and creating opportunities for growth, innovation, and influence overseas.

Entry criteria

Entrants must demonstrate achievements over the past 12 months in at least one of the following areas:

• Exporting products or services

• International market expansion or market entry

• Cross-border digital trade

• International partnerships or alliances

• Licensing, franchising, or distribution overseas

• International brand or reputation building

The Employer of Choice Award – 20 Employees and Under recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create a stimulating and supportive workplace environment.  

Entry criteria 

Entrants must demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key areas of employee recruitment, engagement, and retention. Category criteria are based on initiatives that have had a positive impact on both employees and the business.

In partnership with ETC

2026 Finalists

Camp Grounds Coffee and Wine, Tamworth

Moin Morris Schaefer Lawyers, Armidale

Pause Allied Health, Tamworth

Valor 'K Business Jets, Wesdale

The Employer of Choice Award – 21 Employees and Over recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create a stimulating and supportive workplace environment.

Entry criteria

Entrants must demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key areas of employee recruitment, engagement and retention.  Category criteria are based on initiatives that have had a positive impact on both employees and the business.

In partnership with Cyre Partners

2026 Finalists

Holistic Recovery, East Tamworth

New England Support Services (NESS), Armidale

Partner Now Property, Tamworth

Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service - Aboriginal Corporation, Tamworth

The PHN, Tamworth

The Excellence in Innovation Award recognises a business that has implemented innovative solutions for new and existing needs through the introduction or improvement of a product, technology, or application that impacts the wider community.

Entry criteria

Entrants must demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months at the time of entry across the key area of innovation.

In partnership with University of New England

2026 Finalists

axxis, Armidale

Callie Pilates, Tamworth

Lloyd Sign Co, Tamworth

Pause Allied Health, Tamworth

The Drug Detection Agency Mid/North Coast New England & Northwest NSW

The Excellence in Sustainability Award recognises a business that has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable business practices and is working to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment.

Entry criteria 

Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in environmental sustainability over the past 12 months at time of entry. The category criteria are based on initiatives and projects within the business that are not related to its core offering.

In partnership with Andromeda Industries

2026 Finalists

axxis, Armidale

Code 1 Coffee Co, Hillvue

The Alternate Root, Uralla

The Outstanding Community Organisation Award recognises an organisation that works to improve the social, cultural, or environmental wellbeing of the community.

Entry criteria

Entrants must demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to being an outstanding community organisation. This category is open to social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations that have been trading for a period of over 24 months at the time of entry.

In partnership with Liverpool Plains Shire Council

2026 Finalists

Connecting With Bricks, Calala

Homes North Community Housing, Armidale

Sora Community Services, Tamworth

Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service - Aboriginal Corporation, Tamworth

Tamworth Meals On Wheels Inc, South Tamworth

The Plains Inc., Pine Ridge

Uralla Community Neighbourhood Centre, Armidale

The Outstanding New Business Award recognises a start-up that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate potential to achieve future success.

Entry criteria 

Entrants must demonstrate their commitment to being an outstanding start-up over the past 12 months. This category is open to businesses that have been trading for less than 24 months at the time of entry.

In partnership with PRD Liverpool Plains

2026 Finalists

All Together Supports, Tamworth

Callie Pilates, Tamworth

Donna Harris Thermomix Consultant, Saumarez Ponds

Empowering Together Pty Ltd, Armidale

The Rural Sitter- Pet, property & equine, Nemingha

The Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award recognises businesses that champion inclusivity for diverse communities, such as older people, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and people with disability. An inclusive business facilitates the needs of all its employees and customers.

Entry Criteria

Entrants must demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to address the needs of a diverse community. This category is open to businesses that have been trading continuously for two or more years.

In partnership with Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service

2026 Finalists

Bamara, Taree

Northaven Ltd, Inverell

Nurse Next Door Tamworth Armidale, Armidale

Pause Allied Health, Tamworth

Sage Services Group, Tamworth

The Excellence in Micro Business Award recognises a business with 5 employees and under that has effectively driven growth and can demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

Entry criteria 

Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in business excellence over the past 12 months at the time of entry. This category is open to businesses with fewer than five employees at the time of entry, that have been trading for more than 24 months.

In partnership with Santos

2026 Finalists

Creating Focus, Piallamore

Integr8y, South Tamworth

Nash Goodwin Photography, Uralla

Red Hill Cottage, Walcha

The Cardhub Inverell, Inverell

The Coffee Window, Walcha

WaterWorks Tamworth Pty Ltd, Taminda

The Excellence in Small Business Award recognises a business with 6 to 20 employees that has effectively driven growth and can demonstrate the strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

Entry criteria

Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in business excellence over the past 12 months. This category is open to businesses with 6 to 20 employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for more than 24 months at the time of entry.

In partnership with BEST Employment

2026 Finalists

Andromeda Industries, Moonbi

Espire Occupational Therapy, Tamworth

Little Birdy Enterprises, Uralla

Lloyd Sign Co, Tamworth

Pause Allied Health, Tamworth

The Excellence in Medium Business Award recognises a business with 21-99 employees that has effectively driven growth and can demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

Entry criteria

Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in business excellence over the past 12 months. This category is open to businesses with 21 to 99 employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for more than 24 months at the time of entry.

In partnership with WIN TV

2026 Finalists

AMPS Agribusiness, Tamworth

Many Fabrication & Engineering, Gunnedah

Partner Now Property, Tamworth

Sage Services Group, Tamworth

The Alternate Root, Uralla

The Excellence in Large Business Award recognises a business with 100 plus employees that has effectively driven growth and can demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

Entry criteria 

Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in business excellence over the past 12 months. This category is open to businesses with 100 or more employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for more than 24 months at the time of entry.

The Excellence in Workplace Health & Wellbeing Award recognises a business that demonstrates an outstanding and holistic commitment to protecting and enhancing the health and wellbeing of its people. This award celebrates organisations that create physically and psychologically safe workplaces, reduce incidents and risks, support mental health, promote respectful behaviour, and embed a strong culture of proactive health & wellbeing leadership.

This award acknowledges businesses that go beyond compliance, those that integrate modern best practice across mental health, wellbeing, and respectful workplace conduct to ensure every employee feels safe, supported, valued and able to thrive.

Entry Criteria

Entrants must demonstrate: 

• A clear and effective workplace health, safety and wellbeing strategy, with policies, training, reporting mechanisms, and demonstrated actions that foster a safe workplace culture.
• Innovation or best practice in safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, leadership capability, technology, training or cultural initiatives that enhance physical and psychological safety.
• Evidence of employee engagement in safety and wellbeing programs, such as participation in safety improvement activities, mental health initiatives, and respectful-workplace training.
• Measurable improvements in workplace outcomes, such as reductions in physical incidents, injuries, near-misses, hazards, psychological injuries, workers compensation claims or absenteeism.

In partnership with EML

2026 Finalists

Centrepoint Tamworth, Tamworth

Holistic Recovery, East Tamworth

Many Fabrication & Engineering, Gunnedah

Partner Now Property, Tamworth

Pause Allied Health, Tamworth

The Outstanding Local Chamber Award recognises a chamber that has made a meaningful and measurable impact on its local business community over the past 12 months. This category celebrates chambers that champion local economic growth, strengthen business capability, foster collaboration, and deliver initiatives that create positive economic, environmental, or social outcomes.

Entrants must demonstrate how their chamber has identified community or business needs, delivered purposeful projects or advocacy, and contributed to a stronger, more connected, and more resilient local business ecosystem. Whether through events, programs, advocacy, partnerships, or community engagement.

Examples of Eligible Chamber Activities but not limited to:

• Business networking or training workshops
• Mentoring or training programs
• Local advocacy wins or policy influence
• Events that supported local operators or industries
• Community business collaboration initiatives
• Campaigns that lifted local business visibility
• Initiatives improving business resilience after natural disasters
• Projects that strengthened business confidence or resilience 

Entry criteria

To be eligible for this category, local chambers must be a part of the Business NSW Chamber Local Chamber Alliance program.

In partnership with Business NSW

2026 Finalists

Business Uralla, Uralla

Liverpool Plains Business Chamber Inc., Quirindi

Narrabri & District Chamber of Commerce, Narrabri

Tamworth Business Chamber, Tamworth

Walcha Business Group, Walcha

The Outstanding Visitor Experience award recognises a business that understands the importance of visitor engagement for a region’s economy* and reputation. The business needs to articulate how they promote the region while as well an offering an exceptional visitor experience.

Entry criteria

Entrants must demonstrate how their business showcases the region/community and how their offering is unique within their industry.

In partnership with Tamworth City Toyota

2026 Finalists

Austin Tourist Park, Tamworth

Australian Equine & Livestock Events Centre, Hillvue

Bens Falls Retreat, Emmaville

New England Motor Lodge, Glen Innes

Quirindi Silo Art and Light & Sound Show, Quirindi

The Outstanding Visitor & 24-Hour Economy Collaboration Award recognises a collaborative project, initiative, or partnership that has strengthened and enhanced the visitor economy including the 24-hour economy over the past 12 months.

This category celebrates efforts led by Local Business Chambers, Local Government, Visitor Information Centres, Tourism Industry Associations, and groups of two or more operators who have worked together to deliver exceptional visitor experiences and increase the economic, social, and cultural value of their region.

Entry criteria

Entrants must demonstrate how their project showcases the region/community, including how the collaboration and alignment of tourism operators, business and the community contributed to the project’s success.

Projects may include but are not limited to:

• new product or innovative product development
• upgrades or enhancements to tourism infrastructure or services
• generating knowledge and/or insight to improve decision making
• creating partnerships to advance industry performance
• a marketing or awareness campaign, and
• an initiative to address a sector specific challenge.

*What is the 24-hour economy? When we talk about a 24-hour economy, the focus is on how we make our economy just as vibrant, productive and diverse in the night as it is throughout the day. The night-time economy consists of all the activities that take place as the traditional ‘business day’ ends. There are three distinct nighttime periods (see below), each with their own set of dynamics and community needs. The night-time economy is made up of a broad range of industries. These include core businesses such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, bars, theatres, festivals, markets and live music and non-core or supporting businesses, including transport, retail, service industries, educational establishments and gyms. Daytime: 0600 – 1800 Evening: 1800 – 2100 Night-time: 2100 – 0200 Late night: 0200 – 0600 

The Excellence in Sustainable Tourism* Award recognises a tourism business that has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable business practices both internally and in customer interactions. The award recognises efforts to minimise environmental impacts from its operations.
 
Entry criteria  

Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in sustainable tourism* over the past 12 months. The category criteria are based on initiatives and projects within the business that are not related to its core offering.

2026 Finalists

Artshack@Wilgabah, Wallabadah

Bens Falls Retreat, Emmaville

Wood we Create, Walcha

This award recognises the outstanding contribution by an individual to the NSW tourism industry, honouring those who go over and above their own commercial focus to contribute to the broader industry. 

Entry criteria

Nominations are accepted from any party except the nominee.
 
Note: The emphasis should be on personal and professional commitment and contribution beyond what would be deemed part of their job. Their tourism contribution outside of their normal work should be emphasised.

Business of the Year is open to all winners of the following categories:

• Excellence in International Business
• Employer of Choice - 20 Employees and Under
• Employer of Choice - 21 Employees and Over
• Excellence in Innovation
• Excellence in Sustainability
• Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion
• Excellence in Micro Business
• Excellence in Small Business
• Excellence in Medium Business 
• Excellence in Large Business  

This award recognises a business that demonstrates achievements and excellence over and above all other entrants. This award will be judged by a panel of three judges, each of whom has not judged any other award entries.

In partnership with Joblink Plus

To be selected from the 2026 business winners