Small businesses are key to our city’s economic growth and liveability, and Melbourne is full of fantastic success stories.
The Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards acknowledge longstanding small businesses that have operated in the city for more than 10 years, and businesses that deserve recognition for their innovation and services to the city.
The Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards acknowledge and celebrate Melbourne’s longstanding independent small businesses, and the people who run them. Each year we say thank you to the small businesses that make a significant contribution to the city’s culture, economic prosperity, and liveability. The awards honour the achievements of small businesses that have been operating in the City of Melbourne for milestones of 10+, 20+, 40+ years and recognise outstanding organisations in the Small Business of the Year, Small Business Innovation, and the newly introduced Small Social Enterprise award.
2025 applications are now open and close at 5pm on Friday 9 May.
Award categories
Small Business Achievement Award
Honouring longstanding small businesses who have been operating in the City of Melbourne for milestones of 10+, 20+, 40+ years.
- For current proprietors of independent small businesses (fewer than 20 employees equivalent full-time) that have operated continuously within the City of Melbourne for at least 40 years.
- For current proprietors of independent small businesses (fewer than 20 employees equivalent full-time) that have operated continuously within the City of Melbourne for at least 20 years.
- For current proprietors of independent small businesses (fewer than 20 employees equivalent full-time) that have operated continuously within the City of Melbourne for at least 10 years.
Benefits for recipients include recognition by the City of Melbourne, a certificate signed by the Lord Mayor, inclusion in a photographic exhibition, an invitation to attend the Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards Ceremony, along with marketing and promotional opportunities.
Please note:
- More than one proprietor of a business may apply. However, a separate application form is required for each applicant.
- Previous recipients of the Lord Mayor Commendation awards who are eligible for the next category may apply. They must submit a new application form, giving any additional biographical material to their previous commendation.
- Eligible proprietors may only receive one achievement award per category.
Small Business of the Year
Open to all small businesses located within the City of Melbourne, this award honours an outstanding small business that has successfully implemented initiatives demonstrating excellence across all areas of its operations. We’re looking for, but not limited to, small businesses who have professionally navigated challenges in their business environment, and demonstrated leadership in sustainability, innovation, staff support, and customer care practices.
The Small Business of the Year applications will be judged by a panel of City of Melbourne and external judges. The winner will be presented with a cash prize at the Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards ceremony, a certificate signed by the Lord Mayor, inclusion in a photographic exhibition, as well as marketing and promotional opportunities.
Please note that you may only apply for one merit-based category – Small Business of the Year, Small Social Enterprise, or Small Business Innovation Award.
Small Business Innovation Award
This award honours a small business that has embraced innovation to improve outcomes for their business, clients, and/or community. This includes innovation applied through the introduction or improvement of knowledge, technology, method, or process. We’re looking for, but not limited to, small businesses that have professionally navigated and demonstrated excellence in the introduction, implementation, and successful outcome of their innovative approach. Each applicant will be required to demonstrate significant improvement in management or business practices or in their products or services. All businesses must be located in the City of Melbourne.
The Small Business Innovation Award applications will be judged by a panel of City of Melbourne and external judges. The winner will be presented with a cash prize at the Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards ceremony, a certificate signed by the Lord Mayor, inclusion in a photographic exhibition, as well as marketing and promotional opportunities.
Small Social Enterprise Award
The Small Social Enterprise Award recognises a social enterprise or not-for-profit that has applied commercial strategies to maximise improvements in financial, social, and environmental well-being. The successful social enterprise must demonstrate growth in environmental care, people-centred services, access to decent work, and community-led innovation.
We’re looking for small social enterprises who might have implemented environmentally responsible practices throughout operations, designed services and products that directly address the needs and challenges of a target community, or created decent job opportunities with fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions, providing training and skills development programs.
The Small Social Enterprise Award applications will be judged by a panel of City of Melbourne and external judges, and all eligible applicants must be located within the City of Melbourne municipality. The winner will be presented with a cash prize at the Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards ceremony, a certificate signed by the Lord Mayor, inclusion in a photographic exhibition, as well as marketing and promotional opportunities.
Who can apply
- Achievement Award: Applications are open to current proprietors of independent small businesses (fewer than 20 employees equivalent full-time) that have operated continuously within the City of Melbourne for at least 10 years or more.
- Small Business of the Year: Applications are open to current proprietors of independent small businesses (fewer than 20 employees equivalent full-time) within the City of Melbourne.
- Small Business Innovation Award: Applications are open to current proprietors of independent small businesses (fewer than 20 employees equivalent full-time) within the City of Melbourne.
- Small Social Enterprise Award: Applications are open to current proprietors of independent small businesses (fewer than 20 employees equivalent full-time) within the City of Melbourne.
It is a condition of entry that proprietors consent to having their photo taken for the purpose of publicity of the Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards, including the photo exhibition. To be eligible, nominees must have no outstanding fees, dues, or fines with the City of Melbourne. The decision to grant a Small Business Award is at the City of Melbourne’s absolute discretion. The qualifying period for applicants starts from the year the applicant became a financial partner or proprietor in the business.
Lord Mayor’s Small Business Awards applications are now open, and close on 9 May 2025. Apply here.
For more info contact them at lmsba@melbourne.vic.gov.au
Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
