Last Updated - 10th April 2026

By submitting an application to the Knox Business Awards 2026 ("the Awards"), you ("the Applicant") agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

Submission of an application constitutes acceptance of these terms in full. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not submit an application.

The organisers reserve the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time. The version applicable to your application is the version published at the time of your submission.

2.1 Geographic Requirement
To be eligible, businesses must operate within the Knox Local Government Area (LGA) in Victoria, Australia.

2.2 Operating Period
Businesses must have been operating for a minimum of 12 months before the application closing date (July 31,
2026), except for nominations for the People's Choice Award, which has no minimum operating period.

2.3 Age Requirement (Young Business Leader Award)
For the Young Business Leader Award, the applicant must be under 35 years of age as of July 31, 2026.

2.4 Category Limitation
Each business may enter ONE main award category only (Community Champion, Customer Excellence, Innovation & Growth, or Young Business Leader). Businesses cannot submit multiple applications across different categories.

2.5 Previous Winners
Previous category winners must wait two (2) years before re-entering the same category. Winners may enter a
different category in subsequent years. Finalists who did not win may re-enter immediately.

2.6 Rotarian-Owned Businesses
All businesses meeting the other eligibility criteria may enter, including those owned or operated by Rotary Club members. Judging is conducted blind to business ownership, and all applications are evaluated purely on merit.

2.7 Business Type
The Awards are open to for-profit businesses. Social enterprises operating as businesses may apply. Non-profit organisations and charities are not eligible unless they operate a distinct for-profit business arm.

2.8 Verification
The organisers reserve the right to verify eligibility information at any stage of the process and may request
supporting documentation, including but not limited to ABN verification, proof of operating period, or age
verification.

3.1 Application Period
Applications open May 1, 2026 and close July 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM AEST. Unfortunately, late applications won't be accepted under any circumstances.

3.2 Submission Requirements
Applications must be submitted online via the official Knox Business Awards website. Applications submitted by
email, mail, or any other method will not be accepted.

3.3 Accuracy of Information
Just so you know, applicants warrant that all information provided in their application is true, accurate, and complete to the best of their knowledge. Provision of false or misleading information may result in disqualification at any stage of the process.

3.4 Application Ownership
By submitting an application, the Applicant warrants that they have the authority to submit on behalf of the business and bind the business to these Terms and Conditions.

3.5 Finality of Submission
Once submitted, applications cannot be edited, amended, or withdrawn. Applicants should review their application carefully before final submission.

3.6 No Entry Fee
There is no fee to enter the Knox Business Awards.

4.1 Independent Judging Panel
All applications are evaluated by an independent panel of expert judges. No member of the organising Rotary Club
serves as a judge.

4.2 Judging Criteria
Applications are scored against published criteria specific to each award category using a 100-point scoring
system. Criteria are available on the Knox Business Awards website.

4.3 Judges' Decisions
All judging decisions are final and binding. No correspondence will be entered into regarding judging decisions, scores, or feedback.

4.4 Finalists
The top 3-5 highest-scoring businesses in each category will be selected as finalists. The exact number of finalists per category is at the discretion of the judging panel.

4.5 Winners
The highest-scoring finalist in each category will be declared the winner. In the event of a tied score, the judging panel will deliberate to determine the winner.

4.6 Business of the Year
The Business of the Year award is selected from the four main category winners through an additional judging round. This award may not be presented if no category winner meets the minimum threshold standard set by the judges.

4.7 Right to Refuse Award
The organisers reserve the right not to present an award in any category if no applications meet the required
standard of excellence.

4.8 Verification
Finalists may be subject to verification, including online reputation checks and optional site visits. Finalists who
are found to have provided materially false or misleading information may be disqualified, and the award presented
to the next highest-scoring applicant.

5.1 Nomination
Any member of the public may nominate any Knox business
during the nomination period (May 1 - July 31, 2026).
Businesses cannot nominate themselves.

5.2 Voting
All nominated businesses will appear on the voting ballot. Community voting is open from September 1 to October 1,
2026. One vote per email address will be permitted.

5.3 Vote Verification
The organisers reserve the right to verify votes and disqualify votes deemed fraudulent, suspicious, or in violation of these terms.

5.4 Winner Determination
The business receiving the most verified votes will be declared the People's Choice Award winner.

5.5 Finality
The People's Choice Award result is final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding vote counts or verification decisions.

6.1 License to Use Content
By submitting an application, the Applicant grants the organisers a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual
license to use, reproduce, publish, and distribute:
a) Business name, logo, and images
b) Information provided in the application
c) Supporting materials submitted
d) Testimonials or quotes from the application

This license extends to use in promotional materials,
website content, social media, media releases, event materials, and any other promotional activities related to the Knox Business Awards.

6.2 Photography and Video
Finalists and winners consent to being photographed and filmed at the awards presentation event. The organizers
may use these images and footage for promotional purposes, including but not limited to website content, social
media, media releases, and futurepromotional campaigns.

6.3 Winner Announcement
Winners consent to their business name, representative name (if applicable), and award category being announced
publicly via media releases, website, social media, and other communication channels.

6.4 Opt-Out for Promotional Use
Applicants who wish to restrict the use of their information for promotional purposes beyond the awards program itself must notify the organisers in writing within 7 days of application submission.

6.5 Intellectual Property Ownership
Applicants retain ownership of all intellectual property in materials they submit. The license granted under clause 6.1 does not transfer ownership.

7.1 Information Collection
Personal and business information collected through the application process will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles.

7.2 Information Use
Information collected will be used for:
a) Processing and evaluating applications
b) Communicating with applicants about the awards
c) Verifying eligibility and application accuracy
d) Promotional purposes (subject to clause 6.4)
e) Internal record keeping

7.3 Information Disclosure
Information will not be sold, rented, or disclosed to third parties except:
a) To judges for evaluation purposes
b) To sponsors and media for promotional purposes
(business name and category only, unless winner)
c) As required by law
d) With the Applicant's consent

7.4 Information Security
Reasonable steps will be taken to protect personal information from misuse, loss, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

7.5 Access and Correction
Applicants may request access to their personal information or request corrections by contacting the organisers.

8.1 Event Date
The awards presentation will be held on October 8, 2026. The organisers reserve the right to change the date or venue with reasonable notice to finalists.

8.2 Finalist Tickets
Finalists will receive complimentary tickets to the awards presentation as specified in communications to finalists. Additional tickets may be available for purchase subject to availability.

8.3 Attendance
Attendance at the awards presentation is not mandatory. Non-attendance does not affect finalist status or winner
selection. Winners who do not attend will be notified directly, and their award will be available for collection.

8.4 Conduct
All attendees are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully. The organisers reserve
the right to refuse entry to or remove from the event any person whose conduct is deemed inappropriate.

8.5 Liability
Attendees participate in the awards presentation at their own risk. The organisers accept no liability for any loss, damage, injury, or expense incurred by attendees except where such liability cannot be excluded by law.

9.1 No Guarantee
Participation in the Knox Business Awards does not guarantee finalist selection, award receipt, or any specific business outcome or benefit.

9.2 Promotional Value
While the organisers will undertake promotional activities
for the awards program, finalists, and winners, no specific level of publicity, media coverage, or business benefit is guaranteed.

9.3 Website and Technology
The organisers do not warrant that the website or application platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free from viruses or other harmful components. Applicants should maintain their own backups of application materials.

9.4 Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the organisers, their officers, employees, and volunteers will not be
liable for any loss, damage, or expense arising from:
a) Participation in the awards program
b) Use of application information
c) Attendance at the awards presentation
d) Any error, omission, or delay in the awards process

9.5 Consumer Guarantees
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantee, right, or remedy that cannot be lawfully excluded under the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable law.

10.1 Amendment of Terms
The organisers reserve the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Amendments will be published on the Knox Business Awards website. Continued participation after amendments constitutes acceptance of the amended terms.

10.2 Program Cancellation
The organisers reserve the right to cancel, postpone, or modify the awards program at any time due to circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, pandemic, government restrictions, or insufficient applications.

10.3 Disqualification
The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any applicant who:
a) Breaches these Terms and Conditions
b) Provides false or misleading information
c) Engages in fraudulent or inappropriate conduct
d) Brings the awards program into disrepute

10.4 Force Majeure
The organisers will not be liable for any failure or delay in performance of obligations under these Terms and
Conditions due to circumstances beyond their reasonable control.

10.5 Severability
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be
severed, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

10.6 Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between the Applicant and the organisers regarding
participation in the Knox Business Awards and supersede any prior understandings or agreements.

10.7 Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. Participants submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria.

10.8 Interpretation
In these Terms and Conditions:
a) "Organisers" means Rotary Club of Rowville-Lysterfield
b) "Applicant" means the business or individual submitting an application
c) Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation
d) Words in the singular include the plural and vice versa

10.9 Contact for Terms and Conditions
Questions regarding these Terms and Conditions should be directed to:

Knox Business Awards
Rotary Club of Rowville-Lysterfield
Email: awards@knoxbusinessawards.com.au
Phone: 0421 043 677

11.1 Community Champion Award
Applicants for the Community Champion Award warrant that community contributions and charitable activities described in their application are accurate and verifiable.

11.2 Customer Excellence Award
Applicants for the Customer Excellence Award warrant that customer testimonials and reviews submitted are genuine and obtained with the consent of the customers.

11.3 Innovation & Growth Award
Applicants for the Innovation & Growth Award warrant that growth figures and business data provided are accurate and based on verifiable records.

11.4 Young Business Leader Award
Applicants for the Young Business Leader Award:
a) Must provide proof of age if requested
b) Warrant that they are in a genuine leadership position as described in their application
c) Consent to their age being published as "under 35" in promotional materials

11.5 Business of the Year Award
Applicants understand and agree that:
a) Business of the Year is selected from category winners only
b) No separate application is required or permitted
c) The award may not be presented if the minimum standards are not met
d) Selection criteria differ from category criteria

By submitting an application to the Knox Business Awards 2026, you declare that:

✓ You have read and understood these Terms and Conditions

✓ You accept and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions in full

✓ All information provided in your application is true, accurate and complete

✓ You have the authority to submit this application on behalf of the business

✓ You consent to the use of information and images as described in these Terms and Conditions

✓ You understand that judging decisions are final and binding

This declaration forms part of your application and is legally binding.