Eligibility and entry requirements

Telstra Best of Business Awards

Check your eligibility

The Telstra Best of Business Awards are open to eligible Australian small and medium‑sized businesses.

Here you'll find general eligibility guidance to help you understand whether a business may be eligible for the Awards. 

For full legal requirements for the Awards, view the official Terms and Conditions.

Who can enter

In general, a business may be eligible to enter the Awards if it:

  • operates in Australia
  • has a registered Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • has been operating in Australia for at least 12 months at the time of entry submission
  • employs 200 or fewer full‑time equivalent employees at the time of entry submission
  • earns more than $50,000 in annual revenue
  • is more than 60% Australian‑owned, with the owners or founders responsible for key management decisions
  • operates as one of the following business structures:
    • a company (Pty Ltd or Ltd)
    • a franchisee
    • a Not‑For‑Profit organisation
    • a partnership
    • a social enterprise
    • a sole trader
    • a Trust.

Who cannot enter

Some businesses and individuals are not eligible to enter the Awards.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • ASX‑listed companies
  • master franchisors
  • businesses that do not meet ownership, size or operational requirements
  • businesses or individuals excluded under the official Terms and Conditions.

For the full list of exclusions, including previous winners, judges and other disqualifying circumstances, refer to the Terms and Conditions.

Award categories

The Awards include four award categories:

You can enter one award category only.

The First Nations Award and Growth Award categories have additional eligibility requirements, which are outlined below and on the individual award categories pages.

Explore the award categories to understand what each one recognises.

First Nations Award eligibility

The First Nations Award has additional eligibility requirements.

To enter the First Nations Award, a business must be majority First Nations owned and led.

Business owners may be asked to confirm ownership and leadership through recognised organisations or registries, such as:

  • Aboriginal Business Industry Chamber of South Australia (SA)
  • Canberra Indigenous Business Network (ACT)
  • First Australians Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Kinaway Chamber of Commerce (VIC)
  • Murri Chamber of Commerce (QLD)
  • Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WA)
  • Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NT)
  • NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSW)
  • Supply Nation.

Eligibility for this category is confirmed as part of the Awards Hub process.

Growth Award eligibility

The Growth Award has additional eligibility requirements.

To enter the Growth Award, a business must demonstrate revenue growth of more than 15% in the past 12 months.

How eligibility is checked

After a business is nominated, you can choose to make an entry. If you do, you’ll confirm eligibility in the Awards Hub when entries are open.

The process works as follows:

  1. A business is nominated (by you or by someone else)
  2. You access the Awards Hub
  3. You answer a short series of eligibility questions
  4. If your business is eligible, you can complete and submit your entry.

Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection, shortlisting or an Award. Judging and assessment take place later in the process.

Learn more about the full process, including judging, on how the Awards work.

If you’re unsure about eligibility

If you’re not sure whether a business meets the eligibility requirements:

Ready to get started?

If you’re ready to continue:

Legal notice

This page provides general guidance only. All entries are subject to the official Terms and Conditions, which prevail in the event of any inconsistency.