In 2025, there are eight (8) award categories. Here is a summary:

Businesswoman of the Year (Business Owner) (6+ employees)

This award acknowledges those women who own and manage their own business of 6+ employees/contractors; for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business and the business community. You must own at least 50% of the business and have been in the business for a minimum of 2 years as at 31st January 2025. You may be asked to provide an organisational flow chart of your business.

Small Business Owner (1 to 5 employees)

This award acknowledges those women who own and manage their own business of 1 – 5 employees/contractors; for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business and the business community. You must own at least 50% of the business and have been in the business for a minimum of 2 years as at 31st January 2025. 

Indigenous Businesswoman

This award acknowledges those indigenous women who either own their own business or those indigenous women who are employed as a middle or senior manager in the public or private sector, for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business or their employer and the business community. Either way, you must have been in the business for a minimum of 2 years as at 31st January 2025. A Confirmation of Aboriginality or Torres Strait Islander Descendants Form must be provided.

Collaboration of the Year 

This award recognises women who co-own and actively manage their own business, celebrating their exceptional skills and contributions to both their business and the broader business community. To be eligible, the business must be co-owned by at least two women who together hold a minimum of 50% ownership. Additionally, the business must have been operational for at least two years as of January 31, 2025.

Sole Entrepreneur

This award acknowledges those women who own and manage their own business with no permanent employees (and maximum one casual staff for up to twenty hours a week); for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business and the business community. You must own 100% of the business and have owned the business for a minimum of two years as at 31st January 2025.

Young Entrepreneur

This award acknowledges those women who own and manage their own business for their outstanding skills and contribution to their business and the business community. You must be under the age of 35 as at 31st January 2025. You must own 100% of the business and have owned the business for a minimum of one year as at 31st January 2025.

Manager in Business

This award acknowledges women in the public or private sector for their outstanding skills and contribution to their employer as a middle or senior manager. You must have been in a management role and in the business for a minimum of 2 years as at 31st January 2025.

Michelle Commins Legacy

This award recognises women who volunteer their time and commitment to the community, NFP organisations and charity; in memory of Michelle Commins, a previous CBWC valued Board Member. You must have been volunteering for a minimum of 1 year as at 31st January 2025 and must receive no remuneration for your position.

Eligibility

You do not need to be a member of the CBWC to take part in the awards. Eligibility is determined by the criteria for each Award category listed above.

The Awards are open to female residents of Tropical North Queensland, from Cardwell to the Torres Strait and west to the border of the Northern Territory.

However, there are a few exceptions:

 If you have been a winner in your nominated category in the 2024 CBWC Awards, you are not eligible to be nominated again in 2025.

If you were a category finalist in 2024 (not a winner) you may nominate again in 2025 but not in the same category. 

If you were a CBWC Board Member, Sub-committee member of Awards Judge in 2024 – you are not eligible for the 2025 awards.

You can only enter the Awards under one (1) category and using only one (1) Business Name. If you own a variety of entities, only put the name of one (1) of these entities.

Nominees must have been trading under their “current” business name and be operating in the business, forat least two (2) years as at 31st January 2025 or one (1) year for Young Entrepreneur. This is not applicable for Michelle Commins Awards.

The nominee must have lived in the area where their business is currently located for more than two (2) years

as at 31st January  2025.