Award category - Building Communities


Building 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.
Region Group
Established in 2016 by Tim White and Michael McGoogan, Region Media is a for-purpose news technology platform committed to local news and community information. Their mission is to serve regional Australia by facilitating important conversations through trusted, balanced journalism.
BET Group
BET Group is a South Australian, family-owned and operated provider of stylish accessible homes and support services for people living with disability. The team employs more than 230 local South Australians and Victorians dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people with disability every day.
Bridgewater Police and Community Youth Club
The Bridgewater Police and Citizens Youth Club is an independent organisation that specialises in youth engagement and support, for all ages and demographics. The organisation seeks to address local and societal issues ranging from crime prevention and work place readiness to educational engagement and social cohesion.
Goodwill Projects
Goodwill Projects was founded by Mark Power, a passionate advocate for small and emerging Australian businesses. Having become one of Australia's largest vendor management businesses, the team create flawless events and memorable experiences. They believe no idea is too small and big ideas really do come to life, with good attitude, ideas and people.
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 2024 program dates
Click below for details on category information, selection criteria and eligibility.
National Experience
An exclusive 3 day event filled with networking and celebration, all cumulating with the glitz and glamour of the National Gala Dinner.
National Gala Dinner
The pinnacle event of the 2024 Telstra Best of Business Awards. An unforgettable evening full of glitz and glamour, it's where we reveal all our National Winners along with the Business of the Year.
Nominations open
Missed the deadline? Don't worry - we accept nominations all year round. If you know an exceptional business moving Australia forward, nominate them for the next program.
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).