The Ballina Shire Northern Star Business Excellence program is designed to recognise and reward excellence in business, foster innovation, and encourage a focus on sustainability, corporate citizenship and safe work practices. The awards also provide an annual opportunity for traders to review systems and undertake operational improvements.

Award categories represent the diversity of business throughout the Ballina Shire, including Lennox Head, Newrybar, Tintenbar, Alstonville, Wollongbar and Wardell. Any business within the Ballina Shire LGA boundaries is eligible to enter.