How our awards work - Indigenous Excellence
Indigenous Excellence category
This category is for Indigenous-led, owned and operated businesses succeeding through entrepreneurialism.
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.
Goals of change
For businesses who have set clear and actionable goals to be a role model for change.
Inspiring practices
For businesses finding new ways to operate and set an inspiring example for others.
Innovative approach
For businesses embracing bold and innovative ideas to build on or maintain success.
Strong growth
For businesses experiencing significant year-on-year growth that are successful across the board.
Achieving ambitions
For businesses on track to achieve ambitious goals set out in a business plan.
DJAARA
National Indigenous Excellence Winner
DJAARA is a representative body for the Dja Dja Wurrung People of Central Victoria. The body and its enterprises have enhanced initiatives in environmental care, cultural practices, and community development, ensuring the strength and sustainability of Dja Dja Wurrung heritage.
DeadlyScience
NSW Winner
DeadlyScience is an education organisation that is focused on providing STEM learning and resources to regional and remote schools to support the inclusion of Indigenous secondary students. With online and face-to-face learning options, DeadlyScience works with more than 1,700 schools and community organisations across Australia.
Rainy Day Recruitment
SA Winner
Rainy Day Recruitment, a Supply Nation-certified agency, specialises in placing professionals in IT, engineering, and professional service roles. Founded in 2020, it offers personalised recruitment, including permanent placement, temporary staffing, and workforce management. It aims to provide a more ethical, transparent, and client-focused alternative to traditional recruitment practices.
Bunbara
WA Winner
Founded in 2019, Bunbara Pty Ltd is an Indigenous female-owned company that offers integrated solutions in the energy, mining, and defence sectors. Bunbara's services include procurement sourcing, supply chain oversight, engineering assistance and more. With a deep commitment to the community, Bunbara provides university scholarships to Indigenous students and sponsors athletes across various sports, fostering success and empowerment in Indigenous communities.
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
- Belong to or be certified as being an Indigenous-owned and operated business from any of the following organisations/groups: Supply Nation, FACCI Assured Affiliate, Indigenous Chamber of Commerce within your state (e.g. NSWICC), Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, FACCI Assured Affiliate, or be registered as an Indigenous business through the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, or Supply Aus
- 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 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
How our Awards work
Explore our award categories, application process, selection criteria and eligibility.
Nominations open
All year round
We accept nominations all year round. If you know an exceptional business moving Australia forward, nominate them today.
Our 2025 Program
Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2025 program dates.
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).