Australian business awards can be a great boost to your business, both in terms of growth and exposure, giving you a huge advantage over your competitors. Award wins give you a chance to get media coverage, network with industry experts, gain much deserved recognition for all of your business efforts, and build your trust and credibility in your market.
There are a whole lot of excellent business awards you can apply for in Australia. Here are some of the business awards you can apply for in 2025 and when entries open:
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Australian Business Awards
The AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies list ranks Australia’s most innovative companies and industry leaders.
Nominations usually open in March and submissions usually close in July.
The AFR Fast Lists include the “Fast 100” list and “Fast Starters” list and are the authoritative voice on the fastest growing companies in Australia.
Entries usually open in July and close in September.
If your organisation is pioneering new ways of working and pushing the boundaries when it comes to workplace policies and practices, you may be eligible to be recognised on the AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list.
Nominations usually open in August and submissions usually close in November.
Great Place To Work® has surveyed more than 100 million employees since 1992. Our Emprising™ culture management platform empowers leaders with real-time reporting and insights to make data-driven people decisions
This is an ongoing certification process. (NOTE: Requires Great Place To Work Certification. Deadlines vary, e.g., Aug 1, 2025 for 2026 Fortune 100 Best Companies.)
The AusMumpreneur Awards recognise mothers in business, providing a unique opportunity for women from all over the country to come together.
Nominations usually open in Apirl and submissions close in June.
The Australian Achiever Awards measure and recognise great customer service delivery in a vast variety of industries. Entry dates vary per industry so you can check their 2023 schedule for your categories closing dates here .
These awards recognise Australia’s business, innovation and technology leaders.
These awards last ran in 2024, no new dates have been released yet for 2025.
Open for submissions all year round, The Australian Small Business Awards aim to give small businesses new opportunities to expand their horizons, gain exposure and join like-minded networks.
The Australian Small Business Champion Awards is the pinnacle of business success. They seek to acknowledge the hard work that business owners contribute to the local community as well as the Australian economy.
Entries usually open in November each year and close in February.
The Australian Young Entrepreneur Awards recognise the country’s top young business founders who have contributed to economic prosperity, challenged the status quo or pioneered social change. The awards are run at a state level initially and then proceed to a national level.
Entries usually open in July each year.
The Community Achievement Awards encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions that individuals, communities and businesses are making throughout their state. These awards recognise those that work tirelessly to improve their communities by promoting the social, economic and environmental prosperity. The awards are available nationally, with entrants competing in their state.
Nominations usually open in June and usually close in August.
These awards celebrate technological innovation, entrepreneurship and rapid growth from Technology Fast 500 companies of all varieties and industries.
Entries usually open in May and close in July.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program recognises and celebrates the spirit and contribution of exceptional entrepreneurs.
Entries usually open in April each year.
The Ethnic Business Awards (EBA’s) recognise the outstanding accomplishments of Migrant and Indigenous entrepreneurs. They highlight the contribution made to Australia by these people. As Australia’s longest running business awards, these awards are the most prestigious of their kind.
Entries usually open in November and close in June.
The CEO Magazine’s Executive of the Year Awards is Australia’s most prestigious business awards event. The ceremony recognises the individual excellence of senior executives and the commendations are some of the most hotly contested accolades for the nation’s top leaders.
Entries usually open in April and close in July.
The Franchise Council of Australia Excellence in Franchising Awards recognise and reward excellence and provide a platform for companies and individuals to showcase the amazing work they are doing in the franchising sector.
Entries usually open in February each year.
MYBUSINESS AWARDS / OPTUS MYBUSINESS AWARDS (NATIONAL) The MyBusiness Awards (previously known as the Optus MyBusiness Awards) was the longest-standing business awards program in Australia. It recognised the achievements of Australia’s best SME business operators. These awards no longer run. If you are looking for a business awards program for SMEs, you may like to consider the Telstra Best of Business Awards .
The Pause Awards are an annual programme that recognises and celebrates the most ambitious and effective companies and individuals in Australia. The awards focus on those who are disrupting their industries and breaking the mould.
The Pause Awards are currently on a hiatus.
The Impact Awards are run by SBE Australia every two years. These awards bring SBE Australia’s sector-wide ten year Impact Report to life and highlight the significant women-led businesses that have created waves in their respective markets as well as in the ANZ region. Nominate an inspiring woman entrepreneur, enter yourself, and/or attend the gala event to celebrate the journey of entrepreneurship and rub shoulders with some truly remarkable founders and ecosystem players.
The SBE Impact Awards are currently not running.
Since 2007, the Smart50 Awards have delivered national recognition to the fastest growing businesses across Australia. These awards are an excellent opportunity to build credibility and achieve publicity via SmartCompany.
Entries usually open in May and close in August each year.
The Telstra Best Business Awards are one of the most reputable and respected business awards within Australia. They offer entrants, finalists and winners a range of experiences and opportunities that extend far beyond that incredible winning moment.
Phase 1 entries usually open in April/May each year.
The TMRRW Awards recognise the local businesses, organisations, and projects making a positive environmental and social impact. A better future? A future in which the planet, people and economies can all thrive, not just survive.
The TMRRW Awards are currently not running.
WESTPAC’S BUSINESSES OF TOMORROW (NATIONAL) These awards recognise businesses, large or small, with the drive to shape Australia’s future and meet tomorrow’s challenges, ones that can demonstrate a clear purpose and vision, and who understand their customer’s needs. Entries usually open in February each year so keep an eye on their website. These awards haven’t run since 2020 and it is unclear if they will continue. Watch this space.
The Xero Awards celebrate Xero’s community of diverse partner firms, apps and small business clients.
Submissions usually open in July and close in September.
The Young Achiever Awards acknowledge, encourage and most importantly promote the positive achievements of all young people throughout Australia up to and including 29 years of age as of 31st December each year. The awards are available nationally, with entrants competing in their state.
Submissions usually open in September and close in December.
International Business Awards
The Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards are an international business awards competition that are open to all organizations in the 29 nations of the Asia-Pacific region. The focus of the awards is on recognising innovation in all its forms.
The awards usually open in October and close in February.
The BIG Awards for Business awards program offers companies, their products, their people and their tactics a chance to be globally recognised by panels of business veterans and leaders.
The awards usually open in June and close in October.
Known as “the International Stevies,” the International Business Awards are open to all organisations worldwide: large and small, public and private, for-profit and non-profit. Nominations may be submitted by organisations or individuals.
The awards usually open in February and usually close in May.
The Stevie® Awards for Women in Business are the world’s premier business awards for female entrepreneurs, executives, employees and the organisations they run.
Entries usually open in May and close in July each year.
NSW Business Awards
These awards recognise and reward outstanding businesses in NSW whose passion, determination, and innovation inspire other businesses to strive for success.
Entries open and close at different times from March to July depending on your region, so be sure to check for your area and award category.
The Local Business Awards acknowledge and celebrate great local businesses who go above and beyond providing an exceptional customer service experience. Register your interest to find out key dates in your region and category.
Queensland Business Awards
These awards are the region’s leading recognition for business achievements.
Each month, awards are presented in 11 categories. At the end of the year, all the monthly winners vie for annual awards in each category and compete for the Business of the Year Award honour at a black-tie Gala Awards Dinner held in November at The Star Gold Coast.
Entries are due by 5pm on the 1st of each month from May to October inclusive.
HARVEY NORMAN GOLD COAST WOMEN OF THE YEAR (QLD) The 2021 Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year Awards celebrate and recognise the inspirational, influential and innovative women of the Gold Coast.
These awards are currently not running.
Brisbane’s most anticipated awards program, the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards recognise Brisbane businesses and entrepreneurs who have made outstanding contributions to the city.
The awards usually open in April and close in June.
The Moreton Bay Region Business Excellence & Innovation Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of Moreton Bay businesses.
Nominations usually open in April and usually close in July.
The Sunshine Coast Business Awards are the region’s most prestigious awards and celebrate and recognise the many incredible businesses on the Sunshine Coast.
Entries usually open in May and usually close in August.
These awards celebrate the business community’s contribution to the economic vitality and social fabric of the Toowoomba region.
Entries usually open in February and close in April.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS (QLD) These awards recognise and honour outstanding women making a difference in business across Queensland. Entries open and close at different times throughout the year depending on your area within QLD, so check the website for key dates.
Victoria Business Awards
MELBOURNE BUSINESS AWARDS (VIC) The Melbourne Business Awards provides a forum to recognise the achievements of business enterprises operating in the South East
The awards didn’t run in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, so the dates are TBC.
The Melbourne Business Network Awards (formerly known and the B3000+ Awards) are Melbourne’s premier Awards Program for small business. They have been celebrating the endeavours and successes of businesses and individuals (from organisations with 30 or fewer full-time employees) that contribute to the economic development of the municipality of Melbourne and its surrounding areas since 2004.
The awards usually open in April and close in August or September.
Proudly coordinated by the Victorian Multicultural Commission on behalf of the Victorian Government, the annual awards recognise people, groups and organisations that foster cross-cultural understanding, build social cohesion and support people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to participate in all aspects of life.
The awards usually open in August and close in September.
WA Business Awards
These are Western Australia’s premier business leadership awards established to recognise organisations across the state that outperform.
Entries usually open in June each year.
The 40under40 Awards are open to Western Australian based business owners and executives/professionals. They recognise not only personal determination and commercial drive, but also the philanthropic pursuits that balance their professional achievements.
Entries usually open in October and closes in January.
These awards recognise and celebrate WA-based companies that are growing – private and public, old and new, large and small. They look for ‘rising’ stars, not ‘risen’ stars; companies that have experienced recent growth but still have future potential.
Entries usually open in June and close in August.
Northern Territory Business Awards
These awards promote and recognise the importance of international trade and industry, seeking out top exporters and leaders in the industry in 12 different categories.
Entries usually open in May and close in June.
The Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence and Customer Service Awards recognise individuals and businesses who keep the Territory ticking, demonstrate outstanding practice, and provide exceptional service to their customers and the community.
Entries usually open in April each year.
South Australia Business Awards
The Business SA Export Awards celebrate exporting excellence in South Australia by recognising the most dynamic and innovative businesses in the State.
Entries usually open in April and close in June.
The Fast Movers program recognises South Australia’s fastest growing, most innovative and arguably smartest small to medium enterprises.
Entries usually open in July and usually close in September.
The 40 Under 40 Awards program celebrates the passion, vision and achievements of South Australia’s young entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Entries usually open in October and close in January.
SA WOMAN AWARDS (SA) The SA Woman Awards are designed to celebrate the achievements of women-led businesses in South Australia. They not only give the winning businesses and finalists well-deserved recognition, but also a platform and opportunity to showcase their business and success.
This award is currently not running.
ACT Business Awards
Canberra Women in Business (CWB) is a vibrant not-for-profit association supporting women in business in the Canberra region. Each year they hold the CWB Annual Gala Awards Night to recognize and reward the valuable contributions and outstanding achievements of ACT business women.
Entries usually open in August and usually close in September.
The Local Business Awards acknowledge and celebrate great local businesses who go above and beyond providing an exceptional customer service experience.
Entries usually open in July each year.
Tasmania Business Awards
The Tasmanian Export Awards is an opportunity to celebrate Tasmania’s most innovative exporters.
Entries usually open in April and close in June.
The Spirit Super Excellence Awards (formerly known as the Tasplan Business Excellence Awards) celebrate the best of the best in Northern Tasmanian businesses.
Entries usually open in March and close in July.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS Now, while the award application process can seem a little daunting, don’t let that put you off! As the old saying goes, ‘you have to be in it to win it.’ And FYI – you can outsource your award application writing to the experts, like us! We take care of the complex and time-consuming award application process for you and amplify your chances of success. More than eight out of 10 of our awards clients are shortlisted and over half go on to win.
We can help get you the recognition you and your business deserve. Contact us today to request your personalised proposal with awards recommended just for you.
This article was last updated on 28 May 2025.
