How our awards work - Building Communities
Building Communities category
The strength of a nation can be measured by the harmony of its communities. This category is for small and medium-sized businesses making a positive impact in their communities.
Who can apply in this category?
If you’re fulfilling one or more of the following category examples, consider nominating and entering your business for this Award.
Community cohesion
For businesses actively enhancing community cohesion by supporting Australia’s most vulnerable citizens.
Care and education
For businesses whose day-to-day operations include providing care and education in a way that helps the community thrive.
Celebrating diversity
For businesses who fight for, embrace and promote the community’s cultures to create a welcome and more inclusive environment.
Cultural preservation
For businesses that preserve and promote awareness of our multicultural society in a way that benefits the whole community.
Training and access
For businesses built around educating and training people in the interests of better social cohesion.
The Push-Up Challenge
National Building Communities Winner
The Push for Better Foundation raises mental health awareness through The Push-Up Challenge, engaging over 700,000 participants and raising $50 million for mental health services. Founded in 2017 by Nick Hudson, this Perth-based event combines fitness and mental health education to drive significant impact across Australia.
Hey Lemonade
NSW Winner
Hey Lemonade, founded by Lucy Durack and Elise McCann, is an app that helps users manage stress and build resilience to tackle smaller mental health issues in a practical way. Overseen by psychologists, Hey Lemonade provides quick pep talks that are used by individuals, corporate workplaces, and schools for effective mental health management.
Barossa Veterinary Service
SA Winner
Barossa Veterinary Service, led by Dr. Catherine Harper since 2016, provides care to over 14,000 animals across three locations. By prioritising strong owner relationships and embracing innovation, Barossa Vet Service ensures exceptional veterinary care, including after-hours emergencies, while driving change and inspiring future veterinarians in the Barossa region.
TreeHaus
VIC Winner
TreeHaus, founded by Justine Brogna in 2014, provides holistic medical and mental health services across 4 Victorian clinics. Offering comprehensive care, including paediatrics, yoga, and art therapy, TreeHaus serves over 2,000 patients weekly. Its charity, “Walk A Mile In My Shoes,” raises funds for mental health initiatives in Victorian schools.
Eligibility criteria
To enter, the following eligibility criteria must be met. Each category also has specific requirements. If you have any questions about these conditions, please contact us.
- Reside in Australia
- Have a registered Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Have been operating in Australia for at least 12 months at the time you submit your Stage 1 entry
- Be more than 60 percent Australian-owned, with the owner(s)/founder(s) responsible for making the key management decisions
- Be a small-to-medium business that’s a sole trader, partnership, incorporated, NFP, social enterprise or franchise whose franchisor is 60 percent Australian owned and not a listed company
- Earn more than $50,000 in annual revenue
- Have under 200 full-time equivalent staff at the time you submit your Stage 1 entry
- Operate in an ethical manner with suppliers, distributors and contractors
- Supply financials when requested. All financials will remain confidential and will not be shared or used outside the purposes of judging the business’ performance, success and viability.
- Be a listed company, franchisor, a club, co-operative, or a Telstra licensee
- Be affiliated with Telstra through investments, donation or reselling
- Be more than 50 percent owned by another business
- Be a government agency
- Have filed for bankruptcy in the prior 5 years or been subject to court proceedings in the prior 12 months – including in the business owner or founder’s personal capacity – at the time you submit your Stage 1 entry
- Be a recipient of significant ongoing government funding (excluding temporary government relief or support packages, such as Jobkeeper or disaster recovery)
- Have been a contracted commercial supplier of Telstra in the last 3 years
- Enter the same category where the business has previously won at State or National level at the Telstra Best of the Business Awards in the past 3 years
- Have a staff member that has applied and/or have a staff member that has been a State or National judge in the Telstra Best of Business Awards for any category in the past 3 years
- Enter the awards if a staff member or owner has applied to be a judge in the same awards program year.
Our program dates
Nominations open
All year round
We accept nominations all year round. If you know an exceptional business moving Australia forward, nominate them today.
Stage 2
30 April to 20 May 2025
For this stage, the goal is to gain a deeper understanding of your business and give you an opportunity to expand on your answers from stage 1.
Stage 3
19 June to 10 July 2025
If your Stage 2 entry is successful, you will be able to complete Stage 3. For this stage, the goal is to understand how you would pitch your business to prospective investors or partners.
Need help?
Have a question?
Find answers to your frequently asked questions.
Contact us
Speak with our Awards Team and call 1800 AWARDS Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm (AEDT).
Terms of entry
Ensure you're eligible to enter by viewing our official terms and conditions.