Australia offers a wide range of business awards that can greatly benefit your business by boosting visibility, credibility, and networking opportunities.
Winning or even being nominated can enhance your company’s reputation, attract media coverage, and open doors to valuable industry connections.
Here’s a summary of some top Australian business awards available organised by category and state.
Bookmark this page as we will keep adding more awards over the coming months.
National Australian Business Awards
AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies
This award elebrate companies redefining industry standards. If your business is turning inspiration into innovation, it’s time to be recognised on the Most Innovative Companies list. From design to experience and people-led initiatives, the business awards aim to spotlight all forms of innovation.
Whether your organisation is a disruptive gamechanger on a dedicated innovation mission or a major corporate transforming from within, share your most impactful innovation through these business awards. To learn more visit https://lists.afr.com/mostinnovative.
Entry Period: March to July. Applications for 2024 business awards have now closed.
AFR Fast 100 & Fast Starters
The Fast 100 and Fast Starters Lists highlight Australia’s fastest-growing companies. These authoritative lists feature the “Fast 100” for large, established companies and “Fast Starters” for young, rapidly expanding businesses, with special awards for industry excellence and highest nominal growth.
To qualify for the Fast 100 List, companies must have started before 1 July 2019, with revenues of at least $10,000 in FY22 and $5 million in FY24. For the Fast Starters List, companies must have started after 1 July 2019, with revenues of at least $10,000 in FY22 and $0.5 million in FY24. listing of the fastest-growing businesses in Australia. To learn more visit https://live.afr.com/fast.
Entry Period: July to September. Applications for the 2024 business awards have now closed.
AFR Great Places to Work
The Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Places to Work list spotlights organisations leading in innovative workplace policies and practices across Australasia. Companies selected gain recognition among AFR’s 3.5 million readers, highlighting their role as exceptional places to work and leaders in redefining the modern workplace. Lean more at https://lists.afr.com/bestplacestowork
Entry Period: August to November. 2024 Nominations closed October 24,2024
AusMumpreneur Awards
The AusMumpreneur Awards celebrate Australian mums in business, challenging stereotypes and highlighting the vital contributions women with young children make to the Australian economy. Since 2009, these nationally recognised awards, presented by AusMumpreneur and The Women’s Business School, have honoured the top talent in the mumpreneur industry, showcasing excellence in business, innovation, and customer service at a prestigious awards event.
Past winners and finalists of the AusMumpreneur of the Year award have gained national media attention, appearing on platforms like 60 Minutes, Sunrise, The Today Show, Cosmopolitan, and The Australian, showcasing their success to a broad audience. To learn more visit https://ausmumpreneur.com/awards-categories.
Entry Period: May to June. Applications for the 2024 business awards have now closed.
Australian Achiever Awards
The Australian Achiever Customer Service Awards recognise and support businesses that excel in customer service through an independent, objective evaluation process. Over the past 26 years, more than 4,800 small to medium businesses have participated, many returning for the ongoing benefits.
Unlike other awards, the Australian Achiever Awards operate without a judging panel, written submissions, mystery shoppers, or voting systems, making it a straightforward, budget-friendly process. This award, unaffiliated with government or corporate bodies, is open to all industries, creating broad recognition and brand enhancement for exceptional customer service providers. To learn more visit https://www.achiever.com.au/awards-program.
Entry Period: Varies by industry but you can review their 2024 schedule here.
Australian Business Awards
The Australian Business Awards is an annual, comprehensive program that honours organisations excelling in business innovation, product development, technological advancement, and employee engagement. Open to private and public companies, multinationals, NGOs, educational institutions, and government bodies, the awards celebrate successful business, management, or community initiatives across Australia. Eligible initiatives can range from internal projects to collaborative ventures, covering a wide spectrum of achievements in processes, services, technologies, and developments. To learn more visit https://australianbusinessawards.com.au/business-award-categories.
Entry Period: February to April. Applications for the 2024 business awards have now closed.
Telstra Best of Business Awards
The Telstra Best of Business Awards celebrate the achievements of Australia’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), recognising their contributions to the nation’s economic, social, and cultural prosperity. With categories such as Accelerating Women, Building Communities, Championing Health, Embracing Innovation, Indigenous Excellence, Outstanding Growth, and Promoting Sustainability, the awards highlight diverse areas of business excellence.
Open to businesses with fewer than 200 employees, the program offers a platform for SMEs to gain national recognition, connect with industry leaders, and inspire future entrepreneurs. Nominations are accepted year-round, with the 2024 National Gala Dinner scheduled for 28 November 2024, where the National Winners and Business of the Year will be announced
To learn more visit https://www.telstra.com.au/small-business/best-of-business-awards
Australian Small Business Champion Awards
The Australian Small Business Champion Awards are Australia’s premier awards program celebrating the achievements of small businesses nationwide. Established in 1999 as a New South Wales-based initiative, these awards expanded in 2007 to honor outstanding small businesses across all Australian states and territories. Organized by Precedent Productions, itself a successful small business with over 30 years of experience in managing awards, the program has become the flagship recognition for excellence in small business.
Each year, the awards provide a unique platform to highlight the invaluable contributions of small businesses to the Australian economy and communities, recognizing their role in job creation and local development. This prestigious event celebrates the dedication, resilience, and success of small business owners and managers, offering them the chance to gain national recognition. The awards culminate in an inspiring gala event, where stories of entrepreneurial spirit are shared, honoring the essential impact small businesses have on Australia.
Entry Period: Opens 11th of November 2024 and closed February 10, 2025. View the categories and your nominations in by visiting https://www.championawards.com.au/business/categories
International Business Awards
Asia Pacific Stevie Awards
The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are an esteemed international business competition that celebrates innovation across the Asia-Pacific region, covering 29 markets. Open to all types of organisations, the awards recognise achievements in product development, customer service, management, and other areas where businesses show creative excellence. These awards aim to honor organisations that push the boundaries of innovation, making them a hallmark of excellence in the Asia-Pacific business landscape.
Organised annually, the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards distinguish winners with Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards, selected through a rigorous judging process. Winners gain valuable exposure and acknowledgment in their fields, helping boost credibility and showcasing their dedication to advancing the region’s economy and industry standards.
Entry Period: Entries are now open. The closing date for nominations is the 17/01/2025. Start the nomination process by visiting https://asia.stevieawards.com/how-enter
State Based Business Awards
New South Wales (NSW)
Business NSW Business Awards:
The Business Awards celebrate the creativity, resilience, and dedication of New South Wales businesses, recognising their vital role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and enhancing the state’s prosperity. Open to all business types—from startups to large corporations—the awards acknowledge excellence in areas like innovation, customer service, and community impact. Participation not only offers valuable recognition but also connects businesses with a community of peers and industry experts, providing insights and feedback that support future growth and success.
Entry Period: Closing dates vary by region – click here to learn more.
Queensland (QLD)
Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards:
The Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards are the premier recognition of business success in the region. Each month, awards are given across 11 categories, with monthly winners competing for the annual awards and the prestigious Business of the Year honour at a black-tie Gala Awards Dinner on 30th November 2024 at The Star Gold Coast. Entries are due by 5:00 pm on the 1st of each month from May to October, or the next working day if the 1st falls on a weekend or public holiday.
Women in Business Awards:
The Women in Business Awards of Australia (WIBAA) is a prestigious program that celebrates and honours exceptional women making a significant impact across various sectors in Australia. Established to recognise visionaries, innovators, and leaders, WIBAA offers multiple award categories, including the Woman in Business of the Year and the Empowering Young Women’s Award for high school students. The program aims to encourage ambition, empower confidence, and inspire new female leaders by providing a platform to showcase their achievements.
Entry Period: Nominations for the 2024 awards are open from September 1, with regional events planned across Greater Brisbane, Gold Coast, The Downs, Central Queensland, Northern Queensland, and the Sunshine & Fraser Coast Region
Victoria (VIC)
Melbourne Business Awards:
The Melbourne Business Awards (MBA) is a not-for-profit organisation established nearly 20 years ago to recognise and celebrate the achievements of small to medium-sized enterprises within Melbourne’s South East Region, including areas such as Moorabbin, Cheltenham, Highett, Clayton South, Mordialloc, Braeside, and Chelsea Heights. The MBA provides a forum for these businesses to showcase their success and contributions to the local economy. Through its awards program, the MBA acknowledges innovation, excellence, and the significant impact these enterprises have on the community.
Melbourne Business Network Awards:
The Melbourne Business Network (MBN) Awards, formerly known as the B3000+ Awards, have been celebrating the achievements of small businesses in Melbourne since 2004. Open to organisations with up to 30 full-time employees, these awards recognise contributions to the economic development of Melbourne and its surrounding areas.
The program offers various categories, including the Alan Knipe Innovation Award, Female Entrepreneur Award, and Young Entrepreneur Award, among others. Participating in the MBN Awards provides businesses with opportunities for recognition, networking, and showcasing their success within the local business community
Entry Period: Nominations are generally from August to September. To learn more visit https://mbn.org.au/awards
Western Australia (WA)
AIM WA Pinnacle Awards:
The AIM WA Pinnacle Awards, now in their 11th year, are Western Australia’s premier business leadership excellence awards, recognising and rewarding outstanding organisations across the corporate, government, community, and not-for-profit sectors in Australia that have a significant footprint in Western Australia. The Pinnacle Awards are free to enter, and each winner receives $20,000 worth of training to give to a charity of their choice. The 2024 Pinnacle Awards Gala Dinner is scheduled for 21 November 2024, where winners will be announced
40under40 Awards:
The 40under40 Awards, established in 2002 by Business News, are Western Australia’s premier programme recognising the state’s leading entrepreneurs, innovators, and future business leaders under the age of 40. Each year, 40 outstanding individuals are honoured, with one exceptional person selected as the ‘First Amongst Equals’.
The awards encompass various categories, including Small or Start-up Business, Medium Sized Business, Large Sized Business, Family Business, Indigenous Business, Intrapreneur, Professional Services, and Community, Social Enterprise, or Not for Profit. The 2025 Awards Gala Dinner is scheduled for 2 May 2025 at the Grand Ballroom, Crown Perth.
Entry Period: Nominations are now open and close on the 16th of December 2024.
Northern Territory (NT)
NT Business Awards:
The Chamber of Commerce NT’s 2024 Business Excellence Awards celebrates exceptional customer service across the Northern Territory by recognising individuals and organisations from both the private and public sectors.
This Territory-wide event brings together top performers from regional awards to honour their contributions to their communities and the local economy. By showcasing these achievements, the awards aim to inspire a culture of excellence in customer service and encourage continuous improvement within businesses, government departments, and teams throughout the NT.
South Australia (SA)
40 Under 40 Awards:
The 40 Under 40 Awards celebrate the achievements of South Australia’s top young entrepreneurs and innovators, recognising their contributions to the state’s future across various industries.
Now in its 7th year, the program honours visionary leaders, game-changers, and quiet achievers who demonstrate both professional drive and philanthropic spirit. Beyond raising the profiles of these outstanding individuals, the awards provide access to an exclusive alumni network, supporting their continued impact and leadership in shaping South Australia’s future.
To learn more and view the categories, visit https://solsticemedia.com.au/40-under-40/category-awards
Fast Movers Awards:
The Fast Movers program celebrates South Australia’s fastest-growing and most innovative small to medium enterprises, highlighting top performers across industries based on revenue growth over the past three years.
Open to businesses of all sizes, the program offers valuable prizes and media exposure, with the Top 25 fastest-moving companies honoured at a major event in May. Sponsored by various partners, the awards recognise business excellence and drive, fostering a community of ambitious South Australian enterprises pushing the boundaries of growth and innovation.
To learn more about the awards visit https://www.fastmoverssa.com.au
Tasmania (TAS)
Spirit Super Business Excellence Awards:
The Spirit Super Business Excellence Awards, organised by the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, celebrate outstanding business achievements in Northern Tasmania. These awards recognise excellence across various categories, including customer service, innovation, and community involvement, highlighting the significant contributions of local businesses to the region’s economy and community.
The 2024 awards program is currently underway, with finalists announced and preparations for the gala event in progress. For more information on the awards and upcoming events, visit the official website at https://bea.lcc.asn.au
Participating in these awards can propel your business forward, expand your network, and offer new growth avenues. Check each award’s eligibility and entry requirements for a chance to showcase your business and reach new heights.