Stage 3 is closed! Thank you and good luck to all our entrants.

Award Categories

Embracing Innovation.

Many of Australia’s most influential businesses began as small businesses. By using their innate agility to their advantage, they innovated, pivoted and scaled at pace to become businesses moving Australia forward on the world’s stage. This category is for small and medium-sized businesses innovating with technology to develop solutions for challenges faced by modern Australia.

Who it's for.

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

Problem solving

For businesses using technology to help solve problems at customer, social or environmental levels.

Technology advancement

For businesses actively creating or developing technological advancements that will benefit every Australian.

Increasing accessibility

For businesses helping to make technology more accessible by creating more affordable, scalable products and services.

Enhancing efficiency

For businesses providing technology solutions that enhance the efficiency of business critical tasks or essential services.

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.

Shortlisting Q&A

16th November

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

Stage 3 Q&A

22nd November – 26th November 

Entrants will be given the opportunity to talk about their business face to face with Judges. An opportunity to let their passion shine through.

State Finalists Notification

30th November 

The day entrants learn if they have been selected as a State finalist.

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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