| Category |
Definition |
| Adult Community and other Education |
Community Colleges, Tutors, ESL, Training Businesses, Secondary Education, |
| Beauty Services |
Skin, Nails, Beauty Therapy/Salons, Day Spas, Tanning Salons |
| Business Services |
Printers, Couriers, Recruitment, Caterering/Food Services, Photographers, Graphic Design, Information Technology, Interior Design, Clothing & Shoe Alterations & Repairs, Dry Cleaners |
| Café/Coffee Shop |
Cafes and Coffee Shops |
| Casual Dining |
Pizza/Burger Takeaway, BBQ Chicken Shops, Sandwich Shop, Fish and Chips, (all you can eat) Buffets, Home Delivery Services |
| Children's Services |
Child Care Centres, Kindergartens, Day Care, After School Care, Childrens Parties and Entertainment Venues, Childrens Fitness, Swim Schools, Pre-School |
| Clubs |
RSL's, Leagues Clubs, Sports Clubs - all registered clubs |
| Community Service/Not-for-profit organisation |
Volunteer Groups, Support Organisations, Non Profit Sporting Clubs etc. |
| Entertainment Venues (incl Lic. Venues) |
Pubs, Taverns, Bars, Theatre Restaurants, Cinemas, Karaoke, Bowling Alleys etc |
| Fashion Retail |
Shoes, Mens, Womens and Childrens Clothing, Accessories and Sportswear |
| Fitness Retail & Services |
Sports equipment, Gyms/Fitness Centres, Sport Centres, Dive Centres, Surf Schools, Climbing Centres, Personal Trainers etc |
| Florist |
Florist |
| Food & Beverage Retail |
Deli, Fruit & Veg, Liquor Stores, Fresh Seafood, Gourmet Food (excl cafes, coffee & cake shops) |
| Food Trade |
Butcher, Bakery, Pastry Store |
| Hairdresser |
Stylist/Haircare, Male/Female Services |
| Home and Garden Retail |
Furniture, White Goods, Brown Goods, Hardware, Nurseries, Pool Supplies, Floor Coverings (carpet, timber etc), Homewares, Manchester |
| Home and Garden Trade |
Landscapers, Plumbers, Carpenters, Electricians, Painters, Lawnmowing Services, Pool Services, Pest Control, Fencing Suppliers, Cleaners etc |
| Motor Vehicle Sales |
New/Used Cars, Truck and Motorcycle Dealers |
| Motoring Services |
Mechanical Repair/Service, Panel Beaters, Tyres, Brakes and Exhaust Outlets, Service Stations, Marine Equipment Retail & Repairs, Automotive Electrical Repairs, Marine Equiptment Retailing & Repairs |
| New Business |
Has been trading for at least 6mths & no more than 18 mths from the time nominations open. Change of Name/Address is excluded, proof of commencement required. |
| Newsagency/Book Store/Post Office |
Newsagency, Book Stores and Franchised Post Offices |
| Pet services |
Pet Shops, Aquariums, Dog Walkers, Boarding Kennels, Pet Grooming (excl Veteninary Clinics) |
| Pharmacy |
Pharmacy |
| Professional Services |
Accountants, Architects, Solicitors, Doctors, Vetenarians, Counsellors, Chiropractors, Physiotherapy, Tax Agents, Aged Care Facilities, Optometrists, Denists, Residential Property Operators (Strata Management) |
| Real Estate |
Real Estate Agencies |
| Restaurants |
Restaurants, Sit Down Table/Waiter Service, 3 Courses/A la Carte Dining |
| Specialty Store |
Art Galleries, Jeweller, Antiques, Gift Shops |
| Tourism & Travel Services |
Travel agents, Accommodation, Tours, Car Hire Services |
| Wellbeing Therapies and Services |
Health Stores, Natural Therapies, Weight Loss Centres, Massage Therapists |
| Access |
Businesses whose store access accomodates for all types of consumers succesfully through position, fitout, service |
| Most Sustainable Business |
Businesses whose environmental impact is minimal. |
| Apprentice of the Year |
The apprentice that achieves the highest score from the Apprentice of the Year questionnaire. The Apprentice of the Year questionnaire is supplied in the Finalist Kit to all businesses that are finalists. An Employer is invited to fill out the questionnaire by way of recognising and acknowledging the hard work of a particular Apprentice These questionnaires are then judged by our panel of judges. There is only one winner across all the categories in a particular program. |
| Community Contribution of the Year |
Local Businesses who are making a positive contribution to their local community through selfless means - this is an editorial choice based on the editor's knowledge of the local area and can be any business that services the local community. |
| Employee Excellence |
An employee that achieves the highest score as determined by the Employee of the Year questionnaire. The Employee of the Year questionnaire is supplied in the Finalist Kit to all businesses that are finalists. An Employer is invited to fill out the questionnaire by way of recognising and acknowledging the hard work of a particular employee. These questionnaires are then judged by our panel of judges. There is only one winner across all the categories in a particular program. |
| Local Business of the Year |
The business that achieves the highest score across all categories and the overall highest achieving business in a particular program |
| Readers Choice |
The business that received the greatest number of reader votes across all categories. This includes voting both in-paper and online. |