How our awards work - Promoting Sustainability
Promoting Sustainability category
Almost every action we take affects the future of our planet. This category focuses on small and medium businesses reducing their environmental impact by driving sustainable change for a healthier planet.
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.
Policy impact
For businesses advocating for policy change to drive greater environmental protections.
Research funding
For businesses funding or subsidising research and development into renewable energy technologies and efficiency initiatives.
Ecological sustainability
For businesses prioritising ecological sustainability to better protect, manage and restore Australia's fragile and unique natural environment.
Encouraging conservation
For businesses with initiatives, products or services that contribute to or encourage conservation, reduction, re-use and recycling.
Footprint reduction
For businesses focused on holistically reducing their environmental impact.
Wildlife Drones
National Promoting Sustainability Winner
Founded by a conservation ecologist, Wildlife Drones is a technology company revolutionising animal tracking. Their advanced drone tracking technology, used across Australia and globally, empowers governments, researchers, and conservation organisations to monitor radio-tagged animals, aiding in threatened species protection and invasive species control.
Sustainable Plastic Solutions
VIC Winner
Sustainable Plastic Solutions (SPS) is a full service, circular economy recycling business located in regional Victoria that specialises in creating custom resins and closed-loop solutions for large organisations. SPS aims to replace virgin plastics with high-quality recycled materials, making recycling easy and impactful while prioritising environmental sustainability.
NTEX
NT Winner
NTEX is a resource recovery company that transforms potential environmental liabilities into valuable resources in the Northern Territory. Their flagship project, NTEX Code Red, converts waste concrete and tyres into reusable materials. Its advanced recycling technology and consultancy services drive sustainability and enhance environmental stewardship.
Marinova
TAS Winner
Marinova, founded in 2003, is a Tasmanian biotech company specialising in high-purity seaweed extracts. It transforms invasive seaweed into valuable global exports using green chemistry. Marinova's ingredients are used in supplements, skincare, medical devices, and pharmaceutical research, advancing Australia's marine bioproducts industry.
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.