Awards Nomination Guide

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Supported by the Victorian Government through Business Victoria and proudly hosted by the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse (ABAW), the 2025 ABAW Business Excellence Awards aim to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of Asian-Australian businesses across various industries. The Awards promote greater public recognition and cultural integration of Asian businesses within Australian society.

A total of 11 award categories are available, spanning diverse sectors such as construction, tourism, beauty, and education. Among these, 8 awards will be judged by a panel of industry experts, while 3 will be determined through public voting, ensuring a balance between professional credibility and community participation.

You may submit nominations for multiple award categories, as long as they are relevant to your business activities.

Please refer to the suggested industries under each award category to determine which is most suitable for your business when submitting a nomination.

01. Judged Awards

Panel Review

The ABAW judging panel comprises mayors, industry leaders, and renowned CEOs, representing the authoritative voice of Victoria’s business and community sectors. Using rigorous and impartial criteria, they will identify businesses that demonstrate innovation, responsibility, and excellence—amplifying the presence of Asian enterprises in the Victorian business landscape and setting a benchmark of diversity and achievement.

Excellence in Development & Construction Award

Industries:

• Property development
• Construction and engineering
• Urban planning and design
• Land development firms
• Architecture and design studios
• Civil infrastructure companies
• Building materials suppliers
• Interior and landscape design

Excellence in Financial Services Award

Industries:

• Banks and financial institutions
• Accounting and auditing firms
• FinTech companies
• Mortgage and loan services
• Wealth management and investment advisory
• Insurance providers
• Superannuation services
• Business finance and SME lending

Innovation & Sustainability Leadership Award

Open to all industries.

You are eligible to apply if your business incorporates innovation and sustainability in any of the following areas:

• Environmental technology (e.g., green energy, carbon neutrality)
• Circular economy and recycling
• Sustainable agriculture and food tech
• Clean energy (solar, wind, etc.)
• Advanced manufacturing
• Green building materials

Excellence in Education Award

Industries:

• Early childhood, primary, secondary, and higher education providers
• International schools
• Educational technology (EdTech) platforms
• Training and language institutes
• Study abroad and career planning services
• Skills and vocational training centers

Tourism Leadership Award

Industries:

• Travel agencies and tour operators
• Hospitality and accommodation services
• Tourist attraction management and guiding services
• Cultural and heritage tourism
• Tourism technology platforms (e.g., booking systems)
• Transport and transfer services
• Regional tourism boards and marketing platforms

Retail & Hospitality Excellence Award

Industries:

• Brick-and-mortar retail (clothing, food, electronics, etc.)
• Department stores and shopping centers
• Food and beverage businesses (cafes, restaurants, dessert shops)
• Convenience and specialty stores
• Hotels, serviced apartments, B&Bs
• Customer experience-driven service businesses

Outstanding Social Responsibility Award

Open to all industries.

You are eligible to apply if your business or organisation demonstrates a strong commitment to social responsibility in any of the following areas:

• Non-profits and social enterprises
• Companies advancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives
• Businesses supporting the public good (e.g., education, environment, vulnerable communities)
• Employers excelling in staff wellbeing and multicultural inclusion
• Environmental sustainability implementation
• Advocates for community engagement and collaboration

Outstanding Export Achievement Award

Industries:

• Export-focused manufacturers (food, construction materials, machinery, etc.)
• Cross-border eCommerce platforms
• International education and service providers
• Healthcare and medical product exporters
• Beauty and lifestyle product exporters
• Australian-origin brands expanding internationally
  

02. Public Voting Awards

/ Community Choice

To promote transparency, fairness, and greater community engagement, the ABAW Business Excellence Awards include a public voting component. Daily voting from the public allows all participants to gain broad exposure while showcasing the excellence and influence of Asian-owned businesses in the community.

People's Choice Restaurant Award

Industries:

• Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Western restaurants
• Fast food or specialty street food vendors
• Fusion cuisine or health-conscious restaurants
• Social media-popular or influencer-driven dining brands
  

Health & Beauty Award

Industries:

• Beauty salons and skincare centers
• Traditional Chinese medicine clinics and massage therapy
• Fitness gyms and wellness clubs
• Nutrition and supplement retailers
• Non-surgical cosmetic clinics
• Spa and wellness centers

Emerging Fashion Businesses Award

Industries:

• Emerging fashion labels
• Online fashion retailers
• Accessories, footwear, bags, and jewelry brands
• Sustainable fashion initiatives
• Independent designer startups
• Digital fashion and styling platforms