Northern Business Achievement Awards
The Northern Business Achievement Awards recognise small-medium enterprises by encouraging business excellence, growth and competitiveness.
A huge congratulations to our 2024 winners: Three Ravens Brewery and GoodSercle, both recognised for their excellence in their respective fields of manufacturing and social enterprise.
About the Awards
The Northern Business Achievement Awards (NBAA) is a partnership of industry, education, local and State Government and decision makers across Melbourne’s North. The awards recognise the achievement of small-medium enterprises and encourage business excellence, growth and competitiveness.
Each year Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Moreland, Nillumbik and Whittlesea councils each nominate two businesses for the NBAA Business of the Year Award. Each council must also nominate an outstanding young person for the Young Business Achiever Award.
Breakfasts are held quarterly to celebrate the nominated businesses and young business achievers. At each breakfast two of the six councils co-host and present their nominees which includes video presentations and a Q&A session where each of the nominees addresses the audience. The winners are announced at the final breakfast for the year.
Nominations and award process
Businesses
If you are selected as one of Darebin’s Business nominees for the NBAA 2025, you must prepare a submission as part of the NBAA process. The information that you provide for the Darebin Expression of Interest process can be used in your submission to the NBAA. Winners are then selected by the NBAA for the award categories listed below. The NBAA Business of the Year is chosen from the category award winners.
- Best Start Up Business or Microbusiness
- Customer Service Award
- Outstanding Initiative in Manufacturing Award
- Export Award
- Human Resources Award
- Industry Education Engagement Award
- Innovation and Enterprise Award
- Philanthropy and Community Service Award
- Sustainability and Environment Award
- Technology Business Award
- Workplace Diversity Award
Young Business Achievers
If you are selected as Darebin’s Young Business Achiever nominee, you must attend the breakfast on 4 September and be part of a Q&A session on stage.
Eligibility criteria
Businesses
- Must be based in Darebin
- Must have an active ABN
- Must be compliant with relevant Council permits (where applicable)
- Must be implementing a COVID safe plan
- Must meet all the requirements of the Fair Work Act 2009 and operate in accordance with any applicable code of conduct and ethical standards
Young Business Achievers
- Must be 25 years or younger
- Must be either a Darebin resident or working for OR running a business based in Darebin
- May be a person working in a Darebin business who is achieving great things
- May be self-employed and running a business in Darebin
- A business owner can submit an expression of interest for an employee
- A young person can complete an expression of interest
If you are unsure of our boundaries, please check this Darebin municipality map(PDF, 2MB).
About the Darebin selection process
Businesses and Young Business Achievers submitting an Expression of Interest for the Darebin nomination process will be offered guidance and support by contacting the Economic Development Team on 03 8470 8344.
Expressions of Interest will be assessed by a panel and will be treated confidentially.
The nominated Businesses and Young Business Achiever will be featured in Darebin newsletters and social media.
The two businesses selected as Darebin’s nominees for 2025 will also have a professionally made video to showcase at the NBAA breakfast on 4 September. The videos can also be used in your own marketing.
Key dates for 2025
- Friday 16 May – Darebin Expression of Interest closes
- Friday 30 May – Business and Young Business Achiever nominees announced
- Thursday 4 September - Darebin Business and Young Business Achiever nominees presented at the NBAA breakfast
- Thursday 4 December - NBAA Grand Finale
All submissions will be treated confidentially.
Frequently asked questions
About the awards
When the NBAA have assessed all submissions, winners will be selected for these award categories. The NBAA Business of the Year will be chosen from one of the category award winners:
- Best Start Up Business or Microbusiness
- Customer Service Award
- Outstanding Initiative in Manufacturing Award
- Export Award
- Human Resources Award
- Industry Education Engagement Award
- Innovation and Enterprise Award
- Philanthropy and Community Service Award
- Sustainability and Environment Award
- Technology Business Award
- Workplace Diversity Award
If you are nominated, your business will be featured in a video which will be shown at the NBAA breakfast to around 200 people across Melbourne’s North. You can also promote your business in a Q&A session on stage. Nominees will also be featured in Darebin City Council’s corporate social media channels and newsletters. Taking part in the awards process also provides you with the opportunity to review your business plan and marketing strategies.
If you are selected as Darebin’s Young Business Achiever nominee, you will need to attend the breakfast on 1 September and be part of a Q&A session on stage. The award winners will be announced at the final breakfast for the year on 1 December.
The expression of interest
The panel members will individually assess and score each EOI using a scoring matrix. The panel will then come together to discuss the EOIs and select the two business nominees and one young business achiever nominee. The nominees will then be submitted for the Northern Business Achievement Awards selection process.
No, you will not lose points as this is not about how well you can write. The assessment panel is interested in your business and why it’s successful and should be nominated for the NBAA. Please make sure that you answer the questions. You can use dot points if you prefer. If you need assistance with your EOI please contact the Economic Recovery and Resilience Team on (03) 8430 8333 or email business@darebin.vic.gov.au
When the selection panel has decided on the nominees, if you are successful, you will be contacted by phone and email. You will also be contacted if you aren’t successful.
About the Expression of Interest for Businesses
You can describe other contracts and services that you use to support your business. For example, do you use local suppliers? You can describe other contractors that may support your business.
Refer to the NBAA award categories and think about which category the NBAA selection process may decide best fits your business. You also need to tell us what sets your business apart and why your business should be nominated. For example:
- Describe your business and the key features of your business plan
- Marketing strategies
- Customer service
- Environmental and sustainable business practices
- Professional development
- Innovation and technology used in your business
- Workplace diversity – talk about your employees and recruitment processes
You may like to briefly describe how your business grew in previous years and then how you were able to keep your business going during the COVID pandemic. What did you implement to maintain business operations? What measures did you take to survive? Is your business still in recovery and what are you doing now to continue your business sustainability and growth?
In this section you can talk about local suppliers that you use, and how you connect and network with other local businesses. Do you employ local people in your business and do you support community organisations through sponsorships or other?
About the Expression of Interest for Young Business Achievers
If it is your business, you can explain how you started and have grown your business and the strategies you’ve implemented, for example:
- What sets your business apart?
- Why is your business successful?