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Multicultural business and programs

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Get involved in the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business programs. Apply for the scholarships to grow your business skills and capabilities.

People from different cultural backgrounds taking part in a training course as part of the Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Scholarship Program..

Discover the business initiatives supporting Brisbane’s culturally diverse business community.

The Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards celebrate the contribution multicultural business leaders make to the Brisbane economy and community through their creativity, innovation and resilience.

Take the first step towards a new career or expand your business capability with the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program. Get free business skills training in areas including leadership, marketing and management.

Find out about the eligibility criteria and how to apply to take advantage of these opportunities.

Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards program

Nominations for the 2025 Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards are now open until 11.59pm on Sunday 6 July 2025. 

The 2025 winners will be announced at the 2025 Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards event on Friday 14 November 2025 at Brisbane City Hall. Tickets for this event will be available later in the year.

Award categories

There are 4 award categories in the Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards.

Nick Xynias Multicultural Young Business Person of the Year

This award recognises the success, creativity and energy of a multicultural young business leader under the age of 35, celebrating both their contribution to their community and that of Brisbane’s continued economic prosperity.

Multicultural Entrepreneur of the Year

This award recognises a multicultural Brisbane business leader that demonstrates through their business success, entrepreneurial flair, embedding a culture of innovation as a central pillar to their growth strategy. The recipient will personify the best in entrepreneurialism, possessing qualities from clear leadership and sound management to determination and ambition.

Multicultural Business Person of the Year

This award recognises a multicultural Brisbane business leader that demonstrates through their business success, entrepreneurial flair, embedding a culture of innovation as a central pillar to their growth strategy. The recipient will personify the best in entrepreneurialism, possessing qualities from clear leadership and sound management to determination and ambition.

Multicultural Emerging Leader of the Year

This award recognises a multicultural Brisbane business leader who has shown outstanding progress early in their career and business. The award celebrates the recipient’s notable success in their business innovation, introducing new products/services, and commitment of giving back to the community.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Awards, you must:

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Important things to know

  • Nominated individuals must meet the eligibility criteria. 
  • Only nomination forms submitted online, with all fields completed and required supporting documentation attached, will be accepted.

Frequently asked questions

Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards event

The Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards is an annual event held at the iconic Brisbane City Hall, celebrating the achivements and contributions of the city's multicultural business community.

The event brings together leaders from Brisbane’s multicultural community and business sectors for the announcement of the winners of the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Awards.

Expand your professional network and connect with like-minded leaders from diverse multicultural backgrounds. Be part of the celebrations as the Lord Mayor announces the award winners, joined by special guests.

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Did you know?

Proceeds from the event support the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program the following year. The program provides aspiring business leaders with the knowledge and skills to expand their capabilities. 

2025 Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Awards event

The 2025 Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Awards event will beheld at Brisbane City Hall on Friday 14 November 2025. Tickets for this event will be available later in the year.

More information

Contact Council's International Relations and Multicultural Affairs team on 07 3403 8888 or multiculturalunit@brisbane.qld.gov.au.

Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program

Access a range of business training courses with the Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program.

The program offers up-and-coming business leaders the chance to expand their knowledge and skills. 

Unlock better career opportunities with training courses ranging from short courses to post-graduate university programs. 

Since 2008, the program has delivered more than 700 scholarships.

Benefits of the scholarship program

The Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program gives you access to:

  • recognised qualifications 
  • networking opportunities with educational and industry mentors
  • pathways towards further qualifications
  • the opportunity to learn from industry experts. 

Check your eligibility 

To be considered for the scholarship program, you must:

  • be from a multicultural or culturally and linguistically diverse background, with at least one natural parent born in a country other than Australia
  • have Australian citizenship or hold permanent residency
  • reside in the Brisbane Local Government Area.
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Note

While previous scholarship recipients can apply for the scholarship program again, priority will be given to new applicants.

How to apply

Applications for the 2025 Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Scholarship Program are closed, except for the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Bachelor of Business.

Applications for the QUT Bachelor of Business:

  • open on Monday 1 June and close on Sunday 31 August 2025
  • must be submitted directly through QUT's website. To apply or for more information, view the course information in the 2025 course list.

Applications for the 2026 Lord Mayor's Multicultural Business Scholarship Program will open in 2026.

2025 course list

Courses offered for the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program include:

Frequently asked questions

More information

For more information about this program:

Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Round Table

Brisbane is a diverse city with a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions, and Brisbane's multicultural community has significantly contributed to the prosperity of our city and continues to play a crucial role in its economic development.

The Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Round Table is an independent advisory body established in 2005 as a two-way conduit between Brisbane City Council and representatives of Brisbane’s multicultural business and community organisations (community business representatives).

Since its establishment, the Lord Mayor's Multicultural Round Table has played a key role in actively identifying and advising on important issues and emerging trends that directly impact Brisbane's multicultural business community. It ensures that Council remains well-informed and equipped to address the needs and concerns of this vibrant and diverse community.

Community business representatives leverage their knowledge and connections within multicultural business communities and acquire connections to their relevant business communities.

The current community business representatives are: 

Member Representing
Ms Kerry Xynias Chair
Mr Victor Asoyo African community
Mr Michael Ma Chinese community
Mr Serge Voloschenko OAM Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ)
Ms Connie da Cunha Filipino community
Mrs Betty Moinet French community
Mr Ron Pennekamp German community
Mr Bico Athanasas Greek community
Mr Michael Yau OAM Hong Kong community
Mr Umesh Chandra OAM Indian community
Mr David Widjaja Indonesian community
Mr Bob Bishop Israeli community
The Hon. Santo Santoro Italian community
Ms Yoko Hintz Japanese community
Mr Sebastian Toro Latin American community
Mr Adonis Ghanem Lebanese community
Mr Wai-Kiong Chan Malaysian community
Mr Mohamad Farouk Adam Muslim community
Mr Andrew Foo Singaporean community
Mr Tenny Kim South Korean community
Dr Jay Weerawardena Sri Lankan community
Mr Kevin Pai Taiwanese community
Mr Turgut Manli Turkish community
Dr Cuong Trong Bui OAM, AM                Vietnamese community

More information

If you are interested in learning more about Brisbane City Council’s Multicultural Affairs program, contact Council by:

  • email 
  • phone 07 3403 8888
  • mail:
    Multicultural Affairs program
    GPO Box 2287
    Brisbane QLD 4001 Australia.