BUSINESS PLANNING COMPETITION

Our Business Planning Competition Sponsors

Hosted by the Business Liaison Association (BLA) in partnership with local schools and community stakeholders in Cairns, North Queensland. 

The Business Liaison Association extends its sincere appreciation to our sponsors for their valued sponsorship of the Business Planning Competition.

Through their ongoing support, we continue to strengthen pathways between education, training, and employment, empowering the next generation of students and future professionals across Far North Queensland.

 

Overview

The Business Planning Competition recognises and encourages students across Far North Queensland who are interested in business, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by the Business Liaison Association (BLA) in partnership with local schools and community stakeholders in Cairns, North Queensland, the competition provides students with the opportunity to develop and present original business ideas in a professional and competitive setting.

The Business Planning Competition is open to all students enrolled in business subjects. The competition aims to provide individual students and teams with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and understanding of the business development process.

The competition supports students to build practical skills in research, planning, communication, and enterprise development. It also offers valuable exposure to business professionals and encourages students to explore pathways into further study, training, and employment in business-related fields.

The competition aims to:

• Encourage student interest in business, enterprise, and entrepreneurship
• Promote innovation, planning, and problem-solving skills
• Provide students with the opportunity to experience a professional judging process
• Recognise student excellence in business planning and feasibility analysis
• Strengthen pathways between education, training, and employment

 

Eligibility Criteria

The competition is open to students enrolled in business subjects within participating secondary schools.

Schools may nominate individual students or teams in one or both competition categories.

To be eligible:

• Students must be enrolled in an eligible business subject
• Entries must be submitted in the correct category
• Schools must endorse and submit student entries through the appropriate school department
• All applications and supporting materials must be the original work of the student/s

 

Categories

Junior Business Plan Competition

Open to:

• Individual students and/or teams in Years 9 and 10

Requirements:

• Submission of a Business Plan for a proposed new small business
• Maximum length of 1,500 words and 8 pages

School entry limit:

• Schools may submit a maximum of three (3) entries

 

Senior Business Strategic Plan Competition

• Open to:

• Individual students and/or teams in Year 11 only

• Requirements:

• Submission of a Business Strategic Plan for a start-up business
• FIA2, or a similar assessment task, is generally suitable
• Maximum length of 2,000 words
• The submission must include:
  • application of innovation theory
  • use of an analytical tool of the student’s choice
  • a clear and well-supported proposal for a new business venture

• School entry limit:

• Schools may submit a maximum of three (3) entries

 

Prize & Bursaries

 

Senior Business Strategic Plan Competition

Winning Entry                  $500

Runner Up Entry              $300

Encouragement Awards   $100

Junior Business Plan Competition

Winning Entry                  $400

Runner Up Entry              $300

Encouragement Awards   $100

Please note: Final prize amounts may vary from those listed above, depending on sponsorship contributions and the number of applicants.

If it is a team application, the prize money will be divided evenly between the students in said team.

 

Closing Date: Monday 24th August, 2026

Downloads

1. Business Planning Competition.pdf

2. 2016 Finalist_ Junior Business Plan.pdf

For more details, please contact the coordinator shown below:

Coordinator: Michael Stephens

Email: mgste2@eq.edu.au

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