FAQ

WHO CAN ENTER THE AHA ACT AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE?

The AHA ACT Awards for Excellence is open to all current financial members of AHA ACT.

CAN I ENTER MULTIPLE CATEGORIES?

Yes, you can nominate in as many categories as you wish, where your property meets the specific judging criteria.  Except for accommodation style categories where hotels are required to choose one category which is the most suitable. 

THERE ARE SOME CATEGORIES THAT REQUIRE A WRITTEN SUBMISSION, DO I NEED TO SUPPLY THIS?

Yes, refer to the Category Information Page. Categories that have a written component must be supplied along with your nomination fee. Your venue will not be judged if this is not provided, as this makes up a percentage of your properties total score.

I ENTERED THE AWARDS IN 2025, CAN I JUST REUSE THE SAME WRITTEN SUBMISSION FOR THE SAME CATEGORY FOR THIS YEAR?

No, you are not permitted to re supply a written submission that was entered in previous years for the same category. Each year a new submission must be provided which answers all the criteria. Judging criteria is subject to various changes each year, so the same submission cannot be used.

CATEGORIES THAT SAY “ANONYMOUS SITE INSPECTION”, DOES THIS ALSO STILL REQUIRE A WRITTEN SUBMISSION?

No, any categories which only say “Anonymous Site Inspection” do not require a written submission.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO PAY A NOMINATION FEE?

A nomination fee is required so the judges can be paid for their time both in your property to judge and to travel to your property as well as providing a report.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF SOME CATEGORIES REQUIRE “VOUCHERS OR JUDGING  FUNDS” TO BE SUPPLIED?

Some categories require the venue to supply vouchers or additional funds to cover accommodation and/or meal costs that are associated with judging the venue. This allows the judge to comfortably dine and enjoy the venue to its full extent without being inhibited financially. There is no limit to the value you put on the amount, as we encourage each venue to make it an amount that you feel adequately covers what will be judged, as each venue will differ in pricing. The requirements of the voucher or judging funds for each category is outlined in the Nomination Information.

Please note: Voucher fund amounts should be inclusive of all applicable surcharges, including (but not limited to) EFTPOS fees, public holiday rates, and any other mandatory service charges.

The following categories require voucher or judging funds;

• Best Unique Bar Experience (including rooftop, cocktail, lounge or themed bars)
• Best Family Friendly
• Best Sporting Entertainment Venue
• Best Health Spa & Wellness Experience
• Best Live Entertainment Venue
• Best Casual Dining Experience
• Best Restaurant
• Best Steak
• Best Burger
• Best Parmi
• Best Steak Sandwich
• Best Vegetarian Meal
• Best Budget Style Accommodation
• Best Apartment Style Accommodation
• Mid-Range Hotel of the Year
• Superior Hotel of the Year
• Deluxe Hotel of the Year

IF THE JUDGING COST IS LESS THAN THE ‘VOUCHER FUNDS’ PROVIDED, WILL A REFUND BE PROVIDED WITH THE REMAINING FUNDS?

The 'voucher funds' provided are loaded onto a pre-paid Visa card (one for each venue and category) for the judge to be able to use anonymously.  For this reason, we are unable to provide a refund but will ensure the funds are spent by the judge in venue for the amount specified. We encourage each venue to make a decision for an amount that you feel adequately covers what needs to be judged for the category entered.

Please note: Voucher fund amounts should be inclusive of all applicable surcharges, including (but not limited to) EFTPOS fees, public holiday rates, and any other mandatory service charges.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE JUDGING COST IS MORE THAN THE ‘VOUCHER FUNDS’ PROVIDED?

The judge may not be able to complete all judging criteria. We encourage each venue to make a decision for an amount that you feel adequately covers what needs to be judged for the category entered.

Please note: Voucher fund amounts should be inclusive of all applicable surcharges, including (but not limited to) EFTPOS fees, public holiday rates, and any other mandatory service charges.

HOW CAN WE BEST ESTIMATE THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE COSTS TO ADEQUATELY COVER WHAT WILL BE JUDGED?

The judge is aware of the amount of 'voucher funds' they are provided for the venue and category they are judging and will choose food and beverage items accordingly. Please note: it is common practice for judges to choose mid-range food and beverage items from the menu.

Please note: Voucher fund amounts should be inclusive of all applicable surcharges, including (but not limited to) EFTPOS fees, public holiday rates, and any other mandatory service charges.

IS ALL THE JUDGING CONDUCTED BY AHA ACT?

No, none of the judging is conducted by AHA ACT. All judging is carried out by independent third parties who are specifically hired by AHA ACT to judge each venue. All comments, feedback and scoring from judging reports are the views of the individual judge and not AHA ACT.

WHEN CAN I EXPECT THE JUDGES TO COME TO MY VENUE?

Judging can begin to take place any time after your completed nomination is received. All judging is completely anonymous except for the ‘people award’ categories where a personal interview is required to take place.

CAN VENUES RECEIVE COPIES OF THE JUDGING REPORT(S)?

Judging reports which contain feedback from judging your venue can be distributed upon request after the AHA ACT Awards for Excellence Presentation Ceremony has taken place.

HOW DO I START THE NOMINATION PROCESS?

Head to the NOMINATIONS/LOGIN tab and set up a property account. You can do this by clicking "Create Multiple Property Account" if you manage multiple properties or "Create Single Property Account" if you are only entering one property. Once logged in you can nominate your property in one or multiple categories, purchase tickets, upload written submissions, videos and photos.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A “MULTIPLE PROPERTY LOGIN” AND A “SINGLE PROPERTY LOGIN” WHICH DO I USE?

Two types of login accounts have been created for a more simplified nomination process for properties. As there are various multiple and independent properties that make up our membership, different accounts have been created to capture the correct information needed for judging.

If you are a part of a multiple property which include numerous venues within the one company please use the Multiple Property Login. This will allow you to then nominate and register each venue accordingly, but still track which group it belongs to. 

IS MY LOG-IN INFORMATION FROM THE 2025 AWARDS STILL ACTIVE?

No, all 2025 log-in information has been deleted. To nominate as either a Multiple or Single Property in the 2026 Awards for Excellence, you need to create a new log-in. This can be done by clicking ‘Create Multiple Property Account’ if you manage multiple properties or ‘Create Single Property Account’ if you are only entering one property.

HOW DO I BUY TICKETS, CAN I BUY THEM AT THE SAME TIME AS NOMINATING?

Tickets are available for purchase at the same time as nominations are open from. Ticket bookings will officially close Monday, 14 September 2026. For all ticket prices please refer to the TICKET page on the website.

WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY ON TICKETS TO THE AWARDS CEREMONY?

1. Cancellations must be notified by email to marketing@actaha.org.au by no later than COB Monday, 7 September 2026 (Final Cancellation Date).

2. Cancellations or failure to attend after the Final Cancellation Date will not be refundable and will still incur full payment.

3. Tickets are transferrable to another attendee. Please provide notification of any changes to marketing@actaha.org.au

4. Where notice of cancellation is received prior to the Final Cancellation Date, attendance will be refunded less any booking fees incurred.

CAN I GET A REFUND IF I DECIDE NOT TO ENTER THE CATEGORY AFTER I HAVE PAID?

1. Cancellation of nomination/s must be notified by email to marketing@actaha.org.au by no later than COB Friday, 8 May 2026 (Final Nomination Date).

2. If you change your mind after the closing date of nominations you will not be eligible to receive a refund and will still incur full payment.

3. Where notice of cancellation of nominations is received prior to the Final Nomination Date, nomination and voucher fund fee will be refunded less any booking fees incurred.

SECURITY POLICY

When purchasing from AHA ACT, card details are transmitted through a secure server using PayWay. Card data is not hosted by AHA ACT after processing. Payment will be processed in AUD$. 

DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE IF I BELIEVE I HAVE BEEN JUDGED UNFAIRLY?

No. The judges’ decision is final.