1.1    Entry is $50 (excl. GST).
1.2    To enter the Visitor Economy Awards (VEA), all applicants must read and understand these terms and conditions (Terms and Conditions) and complete the online entry form for their chosen category.
1.3    The organisers of the Visitor Economy Awards reserve the right to alter or amend these Terms and Conditions at any time at their discretion.
1.4    All entrants will be notified of any changes to these Terms and Conditions prior to the judging of their entry. Entrants will be given a reasonable opportunity to amend or update their submission if desired.
1.5    All submissions must be lodged through the official Visitor Economy Awards website.
1.6    By submitting an entry, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
1.7    Entries must be submitted by 5:00 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on the relevant close date for your region, as published in the Key Dates section on the Website.
1.8    All entries must be submitted through a Regional Awards Program. Direct entries into the State Awards will not be accepted.
1.9    By lodging an entry, you agree to provide the organisers and any third party conducting external validation on their behalf with any relevant documentation requested to verify your application against the eligibility criteria.

2.1    All businesses entering must operate under an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be based in Australia.
2.2    Entries can be submitted by any tourism-related business, destination, or organisation that has been continuously operating for a minimum of 24 months as of the published closing date.
2.3    Entry is not open to members of the organising committee, board members, or employees of the organising body or its affiliates.
2.4    Staff members directly employed by the organising body or its affiliates are ineligible to enter the awards.
2.5    An entry will be disqualified if:
    2.5.1    The entrant becomes insolvent or ceases trading during the awards process; or
    2.5.2    The entrant is found to have provided false or misleading information as part of their entry.
2.6    The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any entry if they believe the entrant has engaged in unethical, fraudulent, or improper conduct that could damage the integrity of the awards.
2.7    The organisers accept no responsibility for entries lost in transit or not received due to technical disruptions or other factors beyond their control.
2.8    All Regional Awards Program winners will automatically qualify as finalists in the State Awards, subject to meeting a minimum gateway score determined by the organisers.
2.9    Entrants must continue to meet all eligibility criteria outlined in these Terms and Conditions throughout the awards process.

3.1    Regional and State winners may enter the same category in the subsequent year, up to a maximum of three consecutive years.
3.2    Any business or individual winning the same category three consecutive times will be inducted into the "Hall of Fame" and will not be eligible to enter that category for the next two years.
3.3    Businesses or individuals in the "Hall of Fame" may still enter other categories in the subsequent year.

4.1    All entries must be submitted online and include all required information.
4.2    The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any entry that is incomplete, false, or misleading.
4.3    Entries will be assigned to a Regional Awards Program based on the primary location of the business as determined by its address and postcode at the time of registration.
4.4    Businesses with multiple locations may enter more than one Regional Awards Program but can only progress to the State Awards once per eligible category.

5.1    Refer to the Key Dates section on the Website for entry opening and closing dates.
5.2    The organisers reserve the right to extend or vary the entry period as required, either before or after the published dates.

6.1    Entries become the property of the organisers upon submission. All information will be treated as confidential and used solely for judging purposes unless otherwise specified.
6.2    Finalists' entry information (excluding financial details) may be used to promote the awards and their achievements.
6.3    Entrants’ contact details may be shared with sponsors for promotional opportunities unless entrants opt out by notifying the organisers in writing.
6.4    Personal information will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the organising body's Privacy Policy, available on the Website.

7.1    Entries will be judged by a panel of experts from the visitor economy and related industries.
7.2    Judging criteria and weightings will vary by category and are determined at the organisers’ discretion.
7.3    There will be one winner per category, with ties resolved by reconvening the judging panel. If ties persist, the organising body will make the final determination.
7.4    Judges will sign confidentiality agreements and disclose any conflicts of interest.
7.5    The judges’ decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcomes.

Categories for the Visitor Economy Awards include (but are not limited to):

• Excellence in Sustainable Tourism 
• Outstanding Visitor Experience 
• Outstanding Visitor Economy Collaboration
• Outstanding 24-Hour Economy Collaboration
• Excellence in Luxury Escapes Award
• Wellness Destination of the Year
• Everyone’s Welcome Award for Accessible Tourism 
• Excellence in Eco-Tourism Award
• Outstanding Festival & Event 2025
• Adventure Destination of the Year
• Excellence in Destination Storytelling Award
• Connection to Country Award
• Flavour Destination of the Year 
• Outstanding Wine, Spirits and Craft Brew Destinations
• Kids Holiday Haven Award
• Destination Event Venue of the Year Award
• Tourism Rising Star Award
• Excellence in Smart Tourism 
• Outstanding Journey Maker
• Outstanding Independent Stays
• Excellence in Visitor Essentials
• Destination Wedding Venue of the Year
• Traveller's Choice Award (People’s Vote)

9.1    Finalists will be notified via phone or email and published on the Website.
9.2    Winners will be announced at regional gala events, with State winners revealed at the State Gala Event.
9.3    Entrants agree to participate in promotional activities as requested by the organisers, without financial compensation.