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

Award Categories

Outstanding Growth.

The more our small and medium-sized businesses grow, the more people they employ to help communities thrive and move Australia forward. This category is for small and medium-sized businesses achieving significant growth, and contributing to building a more resilient Australian economy.

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.

Positive Growth

For businesses going from strength to strength and enjoying a sustained period of growth.

Annual revenue

For businesses who have seen revenue grow significantly in recent financial years.

Job creation

For businesses creating job or employment opportunities for people who may have been unemployed or are not employable by corporations.

Community focus

For businesses striving to employ Australian citizens first, and encouraging hiring within your community.

Local sourcing

For businesses whose growth can be partly attributed to championing and sourcing local products and services.

Export support

For businesses working to supply products that contribute to Australia’s export industry.

Eligibility criteria.

To enter, you must meet the following 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 and have achieved on average between 15% and 45% year-on-year growth
  • 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 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 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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