Stage 2 of the Telstra Best of Business Awards is now open – get your entry in by Tuesday, 24 August. 

Award Categories

Accelerating Women.

From increasing Australia’s GDP and the economy to making our communities safer and healthier, equality is beneficial to all Australians. This category is for small and medium-sized businesses actively challenging exclusion and inequality to create meaningful and lasting equity for women.

Who it's for.

If you are achieving one or more of the following Category examples, consider nominating and entering your business for this Award.

Initiative development

For businesses who have developed and put internal initiatives in place focussed on progressing and supporting women.

Challenging stereotypes

For businesses actively challenging stereotypes by reshaping traditionally male-dominated industries or roles.

Core focus

For businesses with a core offering built on providing products or services that support and help women.

Championing women

For businesses passionately working to keep women employed or helping women to re-enter the work force at any stage of their life.

Career pathways

For businesses advocating for women by having measures in place to provide career pathways to leadership positions for women.

Addressing the gap

For businesses offering training and education for women aspiring to work, or working in male dominated fields to reduce the skills gap.

Equality fighters

For businesses resolutely fighting for, or offering equal pay and work opportunities for women.

Eligibility criteria.

To enter, you must meet the following set of eligibility criteria.

The business must:
  • Reside in Australia
  • Have a registered Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • Have been operating in Australia for at least 12 months
  • Be more than 60% Australian-owned, with the owner(s) or founder(s) responsible for making key management decisions
  • Be a small to medium-sized business that's a sole trader, partnership, incorporated, NFP, social enterprise or franchise whose franchisor is 60% Australian owned and not an ASX-listed company
  • Earn more than $50,000 in annual revenue 
  • Have under 200 full-time equivalent staff as at the close of entry date
  • Be a business that operates in an ethical manner with suppliers, distributors and contractors
The business must not:
  • Be a listed company, franchisor, a club, co-operative, or a Telstra licensee
  • Be affiliated with Telstra through investments or donations
  • Be more than 50% owned by another business
  • Be a government agency
  • Have filed for bankruptcy in the last 5 years, or have been subject to court proceedings in the last 12 months from the close of entry date, including in the business owner or founder’s personal capacity
  • Be a recipient of significant ongoing government funding. Excluding Job Keeper or any other COVID-19 related support
  • Be a business who has been a contracted commercial supplier of Telstra in the last 3 years

Key dates.

Entry Stage 2

3rd August – 24th August

Entrants will be given the opportunity to talk about their business via written and video responses.

Shortlisting Stage 3

21st September 

The day all entrants learn if they are progressing to Stage 3. Keep an eye on your inbox.

Entry Stage 3

21st September - 11th October

Entrants will be asked to create a pitch deck for judges to read in the same way they would for prospective partners or even investors.

Find out more

Have a question?

Try our FAQs or speak with our Awards Team

Call 1800 AWARDS Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm (AEST).

Nominations for this year's program are closed. Nominate for next year.

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