Q. How do l enter the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards 2025?
The first step is to create a profile via the application portal available at https://brisbane.awardsplatform.com/ then select a category or categories and complete your application via the application form fields. It's important to note that each category requires a separate application form. Within the portal, entrants will be able to submit images and documents to support the application. Only application forms with completed answers will be accepted.
Applications are subject to a word limit. Entries that exceed the word limit will not be able to be submitted.
The judging panel will judge your entry on each of the criteria questions.
Judges sign a confidentiality agreement and all information provided to the judges must be treated as confidential by them.
To support your application, you will be asked to include business data specific to the category you are applying for. This information does not form part of the criteria for judges but assists the judges in understanding more about your business.
You must submit your application form electronically and it must be signed with a digital signature.
Applications for 2025 will be open from Wednesday, 7 May at 12 noon AEST and close on Friday, Friday, 27 June 2025 5:00pm AEST.
If you are having issues with submitting your application form through the online portal, please contact the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards office on (07) 3006 6200 or lmba@brisbane-eda.com.au.
Q. Is my business eligible for application?
Most businesses operating in the Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA) are eligible to enter the Awards. This includes:
- businesses with their registered office in the Brisbane LGA;
- businesses that are operating in Brisbane through a physical office but do not have a registered office in Brisbane;
- non-for-profit organisations operating in Brisbane that are registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission and are:
- a company; or
- an incorporated association; or
- constituted by a trust endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a charity and has an Australian Business Number.
The following businesses or individuals are not eligible to enter the Awards:
- government agencies, statutory bodies or wholly or partly owned businesses and subsidiaries of the State Government, (with the exception of education institutions);
- official award sponsors in their own sponsored Award category and their employees, however, they can enter other categories;
- subsidiary companies of Brisbane City Council;
- employees of Brisbane City Council and its subsidiary companies including Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) ; and
- any applicant that does not meet the eligibility criteria detailed in the terms and conditions available at: www.lmba.com.au
Businesses can confirm their eligibility via the enquiry form on this website prior to submitting their application form.
Q. How do I know which category to enter?
Please refer to the Categories section of the website for category outlines. Category criteria can be found in the application portal.
The Optus Platinum Award is not open for direct application, this is awarded to Category Award winner deemed the most outstanding across all the business categories.
Q. Can my business enter in more than one category?
Yes, businesses may enter more than one category if they choose, provided they meet the criteria for each category they enter.
Q. How do l nominate another business/person?
The Lord Mayor's Business Awards accept entries from third parties. Please submit the application form as per the above instructions, and we will contact the relevant nominee for acceptance of the application.
We do suggest that any third party applications be made as early as possible so that the nominee has time to review, add to, and accept the application.
Q. Who should I involve in helping to develop my entry?
Enlist the help of people involved in your business. Your independent accountant may provide the required financial data in the most relevant form. You can also get a second opinion. Once you believe you have completed your entry, seek an opinion from someone impartial to provide feedback.
Please note, that whilst Lord Mayor’s Business Awards staff can answer technical questions relating to the program, they cannot assist you with your entry.
Q. Can I only nominate for achievements during the 2024/2025 Financial Year?
Entry in all categories is open to achievements from a variety of financial years. Each category is different and applies over various financial years, please refer to the relevant category criteria.
Q. Can I provide supporting material?
Attachments are required for both the Business Person of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year categories. Both a business and personal written reference must be included for each. Please note that judges will be looking at references.
Attachments other than those mentioned above are not required, but may be submitted to enhance your application. Attachments may include photos, logo, video link, brochures, presentations or the like. Please be aware that judges may not look at attachments.
Supporting material cannot be used to provide attachments which seek to extend responses beyond the word limit allowed in the application form.
Q. How will I know if my entry is received?
Each entrant will receive an email within three business days of the time they submitted their entry, confirming their entry has been received.
Q. What if my contact details change after I submit my entry?
Use the enquiry form on the website to inform us of your change of details, and we will confirm those changes within two business days from the time the enquiry form is received.
Q. What happens to my entry at the conclusion of the Awards?
BEDA will retain electronic copies of all entries for probity reasons. All information on these entries will be kept in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.
Q. How secure is my entry in terms of confidentiality?
Throughout the judging process the information contained in your submission will only be accessible by BEDA, Brisbane City Council and the Award judges. However, any business and personal information including any digital images and records provided in your application form and/or during the judging process and awards ceremony (other than financial data, personal information of employees other than the applicant and referee details which will remain confidential) may be used in marketing and promotional material.
The Award judges are each required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
Q. Who judges my entry?
The judges are local and national experts drawn from relevant business disciplines.
Q. How will I know if I'm selected as a finalist?
All finalists will receive a phone call between Monday, 18 – Wednesday, 20 August 2025 (dependent upon when each category is judged). An email will be sent to all entrants after the finalists have been announced.
Q. What is the next step if I'm selected as a finalist?
You will be required to submit a letter from an independent accountant stating the business is trading solvent. This will be reviewed by our appointed accountant to ensure finalists are financially stable and trading solvent. All financial information will be kept strictly confidential.
If you are selected as a finalist in any category, you will be required to proceed with a presentation to the judging panel. Presentations will take place between Tuesday, 2 September and Friday, 19 September 2025 and each will last no longer than 25 minutes. Finalists will be notified of the time and date for their presentation at least one week before they are required to present.
Q. How do I purchase tickets to the Ceremony?
All tickets will be purchased from the Awards website through our secure online payment system. Tickets are $200 inclusive of GST, and available for purchase individually, or in tables of 10 ($2,000 inclusive of GST).
Q. How have past winners used the Awards' logo?
The logo has been used on company stationery, websites and advertising material.
Q. Who are some of the past winners and finalists of the Awards?
Please refer to the Award Winners section of the site.
Q. Can I enter the Awards next year?
Yes. However, if you are the winner for a category and wish to enter that same category next year, your new entry must be for new or different achievements save for winners of Lifetime Achievement Award who are ineligible to enter the Business Person of the Year Award.
Q. Do I get feedback on my application?
All applicants are offered the opportunity to receive feedback. If requested, feedback will be distributed following the end of the Awards.
Q. If I have more questions, who can I contact?
All questions relating to the Awards must be submitted via the enquiry form on the Awards website. All questions will be answered via return email within two business days from the time the enquiry form is received.
