Sydney City

The Outstanding Employee Award recognises an inspirational employee who has demonstrated a passion for their role and a commitment to their workplace and the community. 

Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to their workplace, the community and to being an outstanding employee. To be eligible to enter this category, the individual must have been employed by their current employer for a minimum of 18 months. 

Award eligibility:

• Entrant has been employed by their current employer for at least 18 months at the time of entry.
• Entrant is not an employee, Regional President, State Councillor or Board Member of NSW Business Chamber Limited.
• Entrant has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• Enrtant is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Outstanding Young Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 35 or under who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry and the community through leadership. 

Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to creating a smarter and more inclusive future and to being an outstanding business leader.  To be eligible to enter this category, the individual must have held a management position within their organisation for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry.

Award eligibility:

• Entrant is aged 35 years or under at the time of entry.
• Entrant is not an employee, Regional President, State Councillor or Board Member of NSW Business Chamber Limited.
• Entrant has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• Entrant is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Outstanding Business Leader Award recognises an inspirational business leader aged 36 years or over who has demonstrated a commitment to their workplace, industry and the community through leadership, whilst providing mentorship to others. 

Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to creating a smarter and more inclusive future and to being an outstanding mentor and business leader.  To be eligible to enter this category, the individual must have held senior management or executive level position within their organisation for a minimum of 18 months at the time of entry.

Award eligibility:

• Entrant is aged 36 or over years at the time of entry.
• Entrant is not an employee, Regional President, State Councillor or Board Member of NSW Business Chamber Limited.
• Entrant has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• Entrant is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Excellence in Micro Business Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience. 

Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of business excellence.  This category is open to businesses with less than 5 employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for a period of over 24 months.

Award eligibility:

• This business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• This business has less than 5 employees on the payroll in Australia at the time of entry.
• This business has not entered the categories of Outstanding Community Organisation, Outstanding Start-up, Excellence in Small Business or Excellence in Business.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Excellence in Small Business Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of business excellence.  This category is open to businesses with 5 to 20 employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for a period of over 24 months.

Award eligibility:

• This business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• This business has 5 to 20 employees on the payroll in Australia at the time of entry.
• This business has not entered the categories of Outstanding Community Organisation, Outstanding Start-up, Excellence in Micro Business or Excellence in Business.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.The Excellence in Small Business Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

The Excellence in Large Business Award recognises a business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies implemented to achieve business success and/or resilience.

Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of business excellence.  This category is open to businesses with 21 or more employees at the time of entry, who have been trading for a period of over 24 months.

Award eligibility:

• This business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• This business has 21 or more employees on the payroll in Australia at the time of entry.
• This business has not entered the categories of Outstanding Community Organisation, Outstanding Start-up, Excellence in Micro Business or Excellence in Small Business.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Outstanding Start-up Award recognises a start-up business that has effectively driven growth and is able to demonstrate the potential to achieve future success.

Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to being an outstanding start-up.  This category is open to new businesses trading for a period of less than 24 months.

Award eligibility:

• This business has been trading for a period of less than two years and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• This business has not been purchased or acquired and is not part of a franchise.
• The business has not entered the categories of Outstanding Community Organisation, Excellence in Micro Business, Excellence in Small Business or Excellence in Business.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Excellence in Innovation Award recognises a business that has implemented innovative solutions for new and existing needs through the introduction or improvement of a product, technology, or application that impacts the wider community.

Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of innovation.

Award eligibility:

• The business has been trading for a continuous period of two or more years and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Excellence in Sustainability Award recognises a business that has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable business practices and is working to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment.

Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of environmental sustainability.  Category criteria are based on initiatives and projects executed within the business not related to its core offering.

Award eligibility:

• The business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Excellence in International Business Award recognises a business that exports its products or services internationally, in order to build a positive reputation for Australian products and services and to deliver opportunities for business growth and success.

Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key area of export. 

Award eligibility:

• The business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• The business has been exporting internationally for two years or more at the time of entry.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Outstanding Visitor Experience award recognises a business that understands the importance of visitor engagement for a region’s economy* and reputation. The business needs to articulate how they promote the region as well as offering an exceptional visitor experience.

Entrants are required to demonstrate how their business showcases the region/community and how their offering is unique within their industry.

Award eligibility:

• This business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Employer of Choice Award – 20 Employees and under, recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create a stimulating and supportive workplace environment.

Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key areas of employee recruitment, engagement and retention.  Category criteria are based on initiatives that have had a positive impact on both employees and the business.

Award eligibility:

• The business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• This business has 20 or fewer employees on the payroll in Australia at the time of entry.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Employer of Choice Award – 21 Employees and over, recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create a stimulating and supportive workplace environment.

Entrants are required to demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key areas of employee recruitment, engagement and retention.  Category criteria are based on initiatives that have had a positive impact on both employees and the business.

Award eligibility:

• The business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• This business has 21 or more employees on the payroll in Australia at the time of entry.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

his Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award recognises businesses that address the needs of a diverse community, including seniors, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and people with disability. An inclusive business facilitates the needs of all its employees and customers.  

Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to address the needs of a diverse community. This category is open to businesses that have been trading for a continuous period of two or more years.

Award eligibility:

• The organisation has been trading for a continuous period of two or more years and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Outstanding Community Organisation Award recognises an organisation that works to improve the social, cultural or environmental well-being of the community. 

Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to being an outstanding community organisation.  This category is open to social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations that have been trading for a period of over 24 months.

Award eligibility:

• The organisation has been trading for a continuous period of two or more years and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
• The organisation has not entered the categories of Outstanding Start-up, Excellence in Micro Business, Excellence in Small Business or Excellence in Business.
• A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2022.
• A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2023 Business Awards program.

The Outstanding Local Chamber Award recognises the achievements of a Local Chamber of Commerce in supporting its members to maximise their business potential.  

To be eligible to enter this category, Local Chambers must be a part of the Business NSW Chamber Local Chamber Alliance program. 

Award eligibility:

• The Local Chamber of Commerce is a Local Chamber Alliance partner.    

Business of the Year is open to all winners of the following categories: 

• Excellence in Export 

• Employer of Choice 

• Excellence in Innovation 

• Excellence in Sustainability 

• Outstanding Community Organisation 

• Outstanding Start-up  

• Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion

• Excellence in Micro Business  

• Excellence in Small Business  

• Excellence in Large Business 

This award is awarded to a Business that has been judged to be an outstanding business, that has provided an entry that demonstrates achievements and excellence over and above all other entrants.