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

Award Categories

Promoting Sustainability.

We have one planet, and one Australia. Almost every action we make day-to-day affects Australia’s future, and the world we live in. This category focusses on small to medium-sized businesses reducing their environmental impact by driving sustainable change for a cleaner and healthier planet.

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.

Policy impact

For businesses advocating for policy change to drive greater environmental protections.

Research funding

For businesses funding or subsidising research and development into renewable energy technologies and efficiency initiatives.

Ecological sustainability

For businesses prioritising ecological sustainability to better protect, manage and restore Australia's fragile and unique natural environment.

Encouraging conservation

For businesses with initiatives, products or services that contribute to or encourage conservation, reduction, re-use and recycling.

Footprint reduction

For businesses heavily focussed on holistically reducing their environmental impact.

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

3rd 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 – 25th November 

Entrants will be given the opportunity to talk about their business face to face via an online interview 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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