Northern Rivers

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.

2026 Finalists

Agnieszka Cole, Richmond Dairies, Casino

Annette King, Richmond Valley Aquatics, Evans Head

Asha Cormick, Tim Higgins Carpentry, Mummulgum

Chelsea Franks, Woodburn Evans Head RSL Club, Evans Head

Chelsey Malivanek, M|Arts Precinct, Murwillumbah

Josie Want, Norco Co-operative, South Lismore

Marcus Hannaway, Joel Jenson Constructions, South Lismore

Niki Papanicola, Intelligent Directions, Wyrallah

Sam Gronow, O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing, South Lismore

Sarah Heath, CUC Clarence Valley, Grafton

Scott Redford, Ballina RSL Club, Ballina

Elody Armbruster, Summergrove Estate, Carool

Tina Kelly, Grafton District Golf Club, South Grafton

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.

2026 Finalists

Chris Photiou, the Trident Fish & Grill, Alstonville

Corbyn Johnston, Beyond Barriers Supports, Goonellabah

David Steele, ODYSSEY, Casino

Emily Fairweather, Spectrum Signs Yamba, Yamba

Joel Jensen, Joel Jenson Constructions, South Lismore

Joshua Bacon, Stable Home Care, Tweed Heads

Tiahn Fairfull, The Coraki Hotel, Coraki

Timothy Higgins, Tim Higgins Carpentry, Mummulgum

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.

2026 Finalists

Alexander Scully, Summergrove Estate, Carool

Andrew Bell, Mountain Blue, South Lismore

Michael Kinahan, Grafton District Golf Club, Grafton

Neale Genge, Woodburn Evans Head RSL Club, Evans Head

Todd Yourell, St Andrew's Ballina, Ballina

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.

2026 Finalists

Andrew Presbury, APRACS PTY LTD, Casino

Anthea Stevanovic, Intelligent Directions, Wyrallah

Ben McGloin, McGloin Baker, Bogangar

Cate McQuillen, mememe productions, Camira Creek

Christopher Tyas, CADRE, Bangalow

Dylan Clifford, 187 Cantina, Lismore

Haley Hodgson, Maclean Medical, Maclean Radiology, AveNüPlus, Halind Health, Maclean

Julian Simpson, Off The Rails, Byron Bay

Rhys Carmichael, Avid Constructions & Contracting, Skennars Head

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

2026 Finalists

Mountain Blue, South Lismore

Savvy Beverages, Byron Bay

Tweed Eco Cruises, Tweed Heads

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.

2026 Finalists

APRACS PTY LTD, Casino

Beyond Barriers Support, Goonellabah

FM1047, Grafton

Full Circle Support, Kingscliff

PJs Fruit and Veg, Lismore

Sistability, Ballina

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.

2026 Finalists

Biala Support Services, Ballina    

Blair and Sons Engineering Contractors Pty Ltd, Lismore

Casino Food Company Limited, Casino

Grafton & District Funerals, Grafton

Honey Bee Homes, Coorabell

Joel Jensen Constructions, South Lismore

Norco Co-operative, South Lismore

SEE Group, South Tweed Heads

Southern Cross Credit Union, Kingscliff

Summerland Bank, Lismore

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.

2026 Finalists

AURUM , Byron Bay

CUC Clarence Valley, Grafton

ENV GROUP PTY LTD, Ballina

Honey Bee Homes, Coorabell

Human Nature, Ballina

Mega Office Supplies, Tweed Heads South

Mountain Blue, South Lismore

ODYSSEY Campers, Casino

Savvy Beverages, Byron Bay

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.

2026 Finalists

Clarence Correctional Centre - Domestic Services Team, Lavadia

ENV GROUP PTY LTD, Ballina

mememe productions: Increasing Our Positive Footprint, Camira Creek

Mountain Blue, South Lismore

Norco Co-operative, South Lismore

ODYSSEY Campers, Casino

Off The Rails, Byron Bay, Byron Bay

Savvy Beverages, Byron Bay

Summerland Bank, Lismore

Woodland Valley Farm, Fernvale

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.

2026 Finalists

Ballina Shire Meals on Wheels Inc, Ballina

CUC Clarence Valley, Grafton

Plan C, Goonellabah

Shaping Outcomes, Tweed Heads South

Social Futures, Lismore

Woodburn Evans Head RSL Club, Evans Head

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.

2026 Finalists

Ataraxis Farms, Fawcetts Plain

AveNüPlus, Maclean

House of Matcha, Suffolk Park

Lismore Cinemas, Lismore

Noah's Mini Golf, Ballina

Sunflour Canelé, Byron Bay

Witheriff Group, Kingscliff

Woodburn Health, Woodburn

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.

2026 Finalists

Beyond Barriers Support, Goonellabah

Blair and Sons Engineering Contractors Pty Ltd, Lismore

Creating Positive Pathways Together, Casino

Full Circle Support, Kingscliff

Maclean Medical, Maclean

Mountain Blue, South Lismore

Sistability, Ballina

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.

2026 Finalists

AURUM, Byron Bay

Cicom, Casino

Corporate Culcha, Casuarina

DR.MOOSE, Byron Bay

Good Cover Pty Ltd

Hemp Collective, Bangalow

Intelligent Directions, Wyrallah

ODYSSEY Campers, Casino

ODYSSEY Captured, Casino

Off The Rails, Byron Bay, Byron Bay

Savvy Beverages, Byron Bay

Silt Studio, North Lismore

South Lismore Post Office, South Lismore

Spectrum Signs Yamba, Yamba

Valley Ebikes, South Murwillumbah

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.

2026 Finalists

Beyond Barriers Support, Goonellabah

Bookeze, Pottsville

CADRE, Bangalow

Maclean Medical, Maclean

Mememe Productions: Imagination as Infrastructure, Camira Creek

PJs Fruit and Veg, Lismore

Sistability, Ballina

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.

2026 Finalists

Blair and Sons Engineering Contractors Pty Ltd, Lismore

Ember Byron bay, Byron Bay

ENV GROUP PTY LTD, Ballina

Hosanna Farmstay Pty Ltd, Stokers Siding

O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing, South Lismore

Provenance Propagation, Wells Crossing

Southern Cross Credit Union, Kingscliff

The RodnReel Hotel & Brewery, Woodburn

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.

2026 Finalists

Mountain Blue, South Lismore

Norco Co-operative, South Lismore

SEE Group, South Tweed Heads

St Andrew's Community Aged Care Ltd, Ballina

Summerland Bank, Lismore

TSA Riley, Ballina

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.

2026 Finalists

Biala Support Services, Ballina

Human Nature, Ballina

Maclean Medical, Maclean

Sistability, Ballina

Social Futures, Lismore

Southern Cross Credit Union, Kingscliff

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.

2026 Finalists

Alstonville Wollongbar Chamber of Commerce, Alstonville

Business Lennox Head, Lennox Head

Business Lismore, Lismore

Business Murwillumbah, Murwillumbah

Maclean District Business Chamber, Maclean

Tweed Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc., Tweed Heads

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.

2026 Finalists

Adhere Marketing - Byron Inside Out and Northern Rivers Traveller, Lennox Head

Better by Bike, Byron Bay

Coldstream Gallery, Ulmarra

HOME Alstonville, Alstonville

Nightcap Ridge, Whian Whian

Silt Studio, North Lismore

The Casino Truck Show, Casino

Valley E-Bikes, South Murwillumbah

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 

2026 Finalists

187 Cantina, Lismore

Adhere Marketing , Lennox Head

Original Sound Lounge, South Grafton

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

Byron Bay Bikes, Suffolk Park

Clarence Harvest Celebration, Maclean

Valley E-Bikes, South Murwillumbah

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.

Entry criteria
Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in business excellence over the past 12 months.

Award eligibility check box
This business has been trading for 12 months or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2025.
A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2026 Business Awards program.

2026 Finalists

Biala Support Services, Ballina

Coolangatta Tweed Osteopathy, Tweed Heads

Human Nature, Ballina

Maclean Medical, Maclean

Our House, Lismore

Savvy Beverages, Byron Bay

Summerland Support, Casino

Entry criteria
Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in business excellence over the past 12 months.

Award eligibility check box
This business has been trading for 12 months or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2025.
A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2026 Business Awards program.

2026 Finalists

Adhere Marketing, Lennox Head

Blair and Sons Engineering Contractors Pty Ltd, Lismore

Bookeze, Pottsville

Cicom, Casino

ENV GROUP PTY LTD, Ballina

Intelligent Directions, Wyrallah

Mega Office Supplies, Tweed Heads South

ODYSSEY Captured, Casino

Omnitide, Yamba

South Lismore Post Office, South Lismore

Southern Cross Credit Union, Kingscliff

TSA Riley, Ballina

Entry criteria
Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in business excellence over the past 12 months.

Award eligibility check box
This business has been trading for 12 months or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2025.
A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2026 Business Awards program.

2026 Finalists

APRACS PTY LTD, Casino

Avid Constructions & Contracting, Skennars Head

Blair and Sons Engineering Contractors Pty Ltd, Lismore

Chinderah Motors, Chinderah

Joel Jensen Constructions, South Lismore

Norco Co-operative, South Lismore

ODYSSEY Campers, Casino

Off The Rails, Byron Bay, Byron Bay

Polaris Marine Dockyards. Harwood

Tim Higgins Carpentry, Mummulgum

Entry criteria
Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in business excellence over the past 12 months.

Award eligibility check box
This business has been trading for 12 months or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2025.
A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2026 Business Awards program.

2026 Finalists

Australian Medicinal Herbs, Gulmurrad

ENV GROUP PTY LTD, Ballina

Mountain Blue, South Lismore

Richmond Mushrooms, Doonbah

Woodland Valley Farm, Fernvale

Entry criteria
Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in business excellence over the past 12 months.

Award eligibility check box
This business has been trading for 12 months or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2025.
A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2026 Business Awards program.

2026 Finalists

DR.MOOSE, Byron Bay

Hosanna Farmstay Pty Ltd, Stokers Siding

Lifestyle Group, Evans Head

Maclean Medical, Maclean

Plateau Tyres, Alstonville

South Lismore Post Office, South Lismore

Stewart's Menswear, Mullumbimby

Stuart Bros Butchery , Kyogle

Entry criteria
Entrants must demonstrate their achievements in business excellence over the past 12 months.

Award eligibility check box
This business has been trading for 12 months or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2025.
A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2026 Business Awards program.

2026 Finalists

Adhere Marketing, Lennox Head

Buckleys Music Group, Grafton

Byron Bay International Film Festival, Suffolk Park

DR.MOOSE, Byron Bay

ISM Ballina, Ballina

M|Arts Precinct, Murwillumbah

mememe productions, Camira Creek

ODYSSEY Captured, Casino

Specialty Pianos, Girards Hill

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.