Stage 2 Entries are closed. Good luck to our Telstra Best of Business Awards entrants.

Award Categories

Building Communities.

The strength of a nation can be measured by the harmony of its communities. This category focusses on small and medium-sized businesses making a positive impact on their communities in a way that benefits each and every citizen.

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.

Community cohesion

For businesses actively enhancing community cohesion by supporting Australia’s most vulnerable citizens.

Care and education

For business’s whose day-to-day operations include providing care and education in a way that helps the community thrive.

Celebrating diversity

For businesses who fight for, embrace and promote the community’s array of cultures to create­­­ a welcome more inclusive environment for all.

Cultural preservation

For businesses striking a balance of preserving and promoting awareness of our rich multi-cultural society in a way that holistically benefits the community.

Training and access

For businesses built around educating and training people to advocate for and create greater social cohesion.

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 prior 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.

Shortlisting Stage 3

24th September

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

Entry Stage 3

24th September – 11th October

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

Shortlisting Q&A

2nd November

The day all entrants learn if they have been invited to undergo a 30 minute Q&A with the Judging panel to discuss their Stage 3 submission in further detail.

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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