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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, Merri-bek, 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 are now open for 2025! Find out how to nominate for Darebin's Business of the Year and Young Business Achiever of the Year below.
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.
Nominate a business or express your interest
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.
Nominate a young Business Achiever or express your interest
Businesses and Young Business Achievers submitting an expression of interest for the Darebin nomination will be offered guidance and support by contacting the Economic Development Team at business@darebin.vic.gov.au.
The selection process includes the following:
All submissions will be treated confidentially.
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:
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 4 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 4 December.
If you are unsure of the Darebin City Council boundaries and whether the business is eligible for nomination,check this Darebin municipality map(PDF, 2MB).
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 Development 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.
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:
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?
If it is your business, you can explain how you started and have grown your business and the strategies you’ve implemented, for example:
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.