# Download Fillable Applications Source: https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/download-fillable-applications/ Select the categories below you wish to download fillable applications for, you can then download and save to your computer. *Please note: emailed applications will not be accepted.* Post or deliver your entry to: **Commerce Ballarat “Business Awards Application” 119 Lydiard St Nth Ballarat VIC 3350** *N.B: Retain a copy of your entry for future reference as all entries will be destroyed after judging.* **Special ‘Early Bird’ Competition!** Submit your application by **5pm Wednesday 3 June 2026** for your chance to win a $1000 print advertising package donated by Ballarat Times News Group. **Applications Close** 5pm Wednesday 10 June 2026 **Finalists Event** 10am Thursday 23 July 2026 **Gala Dinner** Thursday 27 August 2026 ## Application information Sessions Need help with your application? Attend a free application information session! The sessions will include assistance in addressing the criteria and information on what the judges will be looking for (Please note that these sessions are all the same and you will only need to attend one). **Tuesday 21 April 2026** 2pm-3pm Commerce Ballarat, 119 Lydiard St Nth **Thursday 30 Apr 2026** 5.45pm-6.45pm Commerce Ballarat, 119 Lydiard St Nth **Wednesday 6 May 2026** 10am – 11am Commerce Ballarat, 119 Lydiard St Nth **Wednesday 20 May 2026** 3.30pm – 4.30pm Commerce Ballarat, 119 Lydiard St Nth ## Application Mentoring Sessions Limited numbers of one-hour one-on-one application mentoring sessions will be offered as an opportunity to receive feedback on your completed application prior to its submission. *To book a place in an application information session or application mentoring session, email* **[*rsvp@commerceballarat.com.au*](mailto:rsvp@commerceballarat.com.au)** *or phone 5333 3233.* *Registrations for both are essential.* ## Frequently Asked Questions **Do I have to be a member of Commerce Ballarat to nominate/enter?** No, definitely not. **Why should I enter?** You will find the process of completing the application is beneficial for you, your staff and your business and if you are to become a finalist or winner the exposure is priceless. **Do I have to be a member of Commerce Ballarat to be a finalist or winner?** No, definitely not. **Does my business have to be located in the Ballarat region to enter?** Yes, the awards are open to all businesses that are based and operating in the Ballarat region, excluding the Growers & Producers Peoples Choice Award, entries in this category are extended to all businesses in the RDA Grampians region, which includes the LGAs of Ararat, Ballarat, Golden Plains, Hepburn, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Moorabool, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack. **How do I enter the People's Choice Awards?** Nominations open for the People’s Choice Awards Monday 1 June, businesses will then be contacted to accept their participation. **I have been nominated in 5 categories; how many can I enter?** You may choose ANY two categories that you feel are most appropriate whether you were nominated in them or not. *Note: People’s Choice Awards and Young Business Person of the Year that may be entered in addition to two traditional categories.* **I have been nominated in one category; can I enter more?** Yes you can choose ANY two categories that you feel are most appropriate whether you were nominated in them or not. *Note: People’s Choice Awards and Young Business Person of the Year that may be entered in addition to two traditional categories.* **What if the categories I have been nominated in are not suitable for my business?** You may choose to enter 2 appropriate categories of your choice whether or not you were nominated in it. **Who makes up the judging panel?** Our judging panel consists of a selection of independent business people. Commerce Ballarat staff and Board members do not participate in the judging process. **Should I attend a workshop prior to completing my entry?** Yes, you will find our workshops very informative. *To book a place in an application information session or application mentoring session, email rsvp@commerceballarat.com.au or phone 5333 3233. Registrations for both session are essential.* **How many pages are allowed per application?** - 1 page – Signed Entry Form - 1 page – Business Summary - 5 pages – General and category-specific questions - 4 pages – Supplementary Material Total 11 Pages **Should I bind my application?** No, definitely not (Presentation will not be judged) **Will you receive feedback on your application?** You will receive a scoresheet that will benchmark you against the other applicants in your category and the finalists. **Can I have contact with the judges as an applicant?** No, not unless you become a finalist. Our judges dedicate many voluntary hours to this process and with the quantity of applications it is not possible for them to give personal feedback. Being a new business, we were surprised by The Well’s nomination and even more so when we became finalists in 2025! While the application process is quite involved, it is worth the effort. It gave us a chance to really deep dive into aspects of the business we don’t normally investigate or dissect and assess what’s working well and which areas need work. The awards give you a sense of joy and achievement that someone in the business world acknowledges you are doing a good job! An added bonus is meeting and workshopping with other business owners through the info sessions and Gala Night. ![Miree Hancock, The Well by Green Earth Kids](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CB-BBEA25-The-Well-by-Green-Earth-Kids-HR-3-scaled.jpg) Miree Hancock, The Well by Green Earth Kids2025 Finalist - AssistU Care & Support Services Accessibility & Inclusion Award The Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards provided me with a rare opportunity to pause and examine how our business truly creates value. The application process required me to think through strategy, outcomes, and the real impact of our work. For Grantus, that mirrors the work we do with clients - but I hadn't done it for ourselves. Preparing the submission was a valuable exercise in reflection. Winning the 2025 Professional Services Award was a great outcome, but the real benefit of the process was gaining greater clarity and confidence to lead and grow the business. ![Simon Coutts, Grantus](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CB-BBEA25-Grantus-HR-5-scaled.jpg) Simon Coutts, Grantus2025 Winner - Stoke Design Co Professional Services Business Award Participating in the Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards for the first time was a meaningful milestone for Alevo. As a Ballarat-based manufacturer that has been designing and producing treatment tables for more than 35 years, the process gave us the opportunity to reflect on the journey of our business and the legacy behind what we do. Preparing the application encouraged us to look closely at our history, our innovation, and the impact our products have on healthcare professionals and patients. It was also a great way to connect with and celebrate the strength of the Ballarat business community. We encourage other local businesses to get involved and share their stories. ![Jacqui Haylett, Alevo](https://www.commerceballarat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/0H2A9733_6x4.jpg) Jacqui Haylett, Alevo2025 Finalist - Power FM SME Business Award ## Applications Close in... 00 Days 00 Hours 00 Minutes 00 Seconds