Applications for the 2026 Sunshine Coast Business Awards have officially closed, with 247 businesses putting themselves forward in one of the strongest years on record and a changing category mix providing an insight into the region’s evolving economy.
This year’s 247 applications compare with 239 in 2024 and the record 263 received in 2025, when the Awards celebrated their milestone 30th anniversary.
But beyond the headline number, Sunshine Coast Business Awards Chair Jennifer Swaine said the categories attracting applications were particularly interesting, with shifts that reflect changes underway across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa business communities.
Applications in both Accommodation Tourism and Education and Training doubled compared with 2025, while Trades and Services and Health and Medical have overtaken traditional application leaders Professional Services and Business Services.
“We’ve always found the Awards provide a fascinating snapshot of the Sunshine Coast economy, and often the trends we see coming through in applications are ahead of the curve,” Swaine said.
“Businesses are putting themselves forward based on where they are growing, investing and achieving results, so when we see significant movements within categories from one year to the next, it gives us a window into how our regional economy is changing.
“This year, the growth in Accommodation Tourism, Education and Training, Trades and Services and Health and Medical really stands out.”
In 2025, Trades and Services and Business Services were already among the strongest categories, while Health and Medical Services and Building, Construction and Engineering had climbed into the top five.
Swaine said the latest results showed that evolution continues.
“We’re now seeing Trades and Services and Health and Medical come through particularly strongly, telling us a story about where demand, employment and business growth are occurring across the Sunshine Coast and Noosa.
“Likewise, seeing applications double in Accommodation Tourism is encouraging for a region where the visitor economy remains such an important contributor, while the growth in Education and Training is another trend we will be interested to watch.”
The 247 applications make 2026 one of the strongest years in the Awards’ history and continue consistently high participation in recent years.
With applications now closed, the judging process will begin ahead of finalists being announced and the 2026 Sunshine Coast Business Awards Gala Dinner in November.
“The numbers give us the first glimpse of the story, but now we get to discover the businesses behind them,” Swaine said.
“We know from previous years that there will be businesses doing extraordinary things locally, nationally and internationally, and we look forward to uncovering those stories through the judging process.”
Ends.