Not-for-profit sector in line for prestigious business awards

The Telstra Australian Business Awards will include a Charity Award for the first time this year, recognising the significant contribution charities make to Australian communities and the economy.
The introduction of the new category reflects the significance of the charity sector with latest figures* showing Australian charities have a combined annual income of more than $103 billion and employ more than 1 million people.

Nominations are open for the 2016 Telstra Business Awards and Australians are encouraged to recognise brilliant businesses by nominating them in one of five categories, including the new Charity Award.
Will Irving Telstra Business Awards Ambassador and Telstra Business Group Managing Director, said the Awards, now in their 24th year, celebrate the achievements of small and medium businesses, which he described as the life blood of the Australian economy.

“The Awards recognise trail blazers who embody the innovative, entrepreneurial spirit of Australian business,” said Mr Irving.
“This year, we welcome the new Charity Award category to the fold as we continue to update the Awards program to reflect current business trends. We felt it was time for the program to recognise the significant contribution they make to our community.”

There are four other Award categories businesses can enter – New Business (formerly Start-Up), Micro Business, Small Business and Medium Business. The Medium Business Award category has undergone an important change this year to increase the number of employees from 200 to 500. This change reflects the role that medium businesses play in driving the nation’s economic growth.
“Medium businesses play a vital role in our economy, generating a disproportionately high percentage of Australia’s business revenue compared to their actual numbers. By increasing the number of employees in this category we hope to attract more talent and competition to the 2016 program,” Mr Irving said.

Scott Houston, CEO of Executive Risk Solutions and winner of the 2015 Telstra Australian Business of the Year urged Australians to nominate deserving local businesses and highlighted the benefits of entering the Awards.

“The entry process gives you a rare occasion to consider every aspect of your business as it makes you stop, take stock of your business and write down your vision, plan and strategies,” Mr Houston said.
“There’s also the chance for finalists to meet like-minded operators who might in turn present you with new business opportunities.”
For more information on the Awards or to nominate a business, visit www.telstrabusinessawards.com. Entries for the 2016 Awards can be submitted from Wednesday 3 February until Wednesday 23 March.

*Australian Charities Report 2014 – Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission