Applications open on 30 April
The Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards (Export Awards) celebrate the achievements of Queensland’s top exporters who significantly contribute to the state’s growing economy.
Held in collaboration with Austrade, the prestigious awards recognise the creativity, innovation, determination, and continuing success of Queensland’s $117B export industry. This year, the Export Awards will celebrate 34 years in Queensland and will showcase businesses from every region across the state with great distinction.
The Premier of Queensland Export Awards Dinner will be held on 4 September 2024 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Why apply?
The Export Awards is your key to unlocking unparalleled opportunities in the world of international trade. Here's just some of the reasons why your business should not miss the opportunity to apply for these prestigious awards:
Global brand awareness, marketing and PR
Elevate your business profile: Gain international recognition and establish your brand as a global player. The Export Awards showcase excellence in export, providing a platform for your business to stand out on the global stage.
Open doors to new markets: Position your brand strategically and explore new markets with the credibility that comes from being a Premier of Queensland's Export Award winner.
Reach global potential: Leverage the awards to boost your marketing efforts and PR initiatives, ensuring that your business reaches its full global potential.
Networking
Forge connections with fellow exporters: The award program is designed to facilitate networking with like-minded businesses. Connect with fellow exporters, share insights, and collaborate for mutual growth.
Engage with industry and government representatives: Build valuable relationships with key figures in the industry and government. The Export Awards provide exclusive opportunities to interact with influencers who can further enhance your business prospects.
National recognition
Be a finalist at the Australian Export Awards: Winning a Premier of Queensland's Export Award automatically propels your company into the spotlight at the Australian Export Awards. Your achievement is recognised at the national level, opening doors to even broader opportunities.
Success stories
Hear from previous finalists and winners to learn how the Export Awards propelled their business internationally.
Eligibility criteria
When considering your application for 2024, please review your businesses eligibility. All businesses can enter multiple categories and refer to activities primarily in the 2023/2024 financial year. Some questions do require up to three (3) years of evidence.
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Earn foreign exchange.
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Hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN).
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Operate as a separate business if part of a larger organisation.
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Maintain appropriate business ethics and demonstrate a commitment to legal obligations including anti-bribery laws and laws to combat modern slavery, both in Australia and overseas markets.
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Government entities as defined in the A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 are not eligible, except where they are registered education and training providers.
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Sponsors of a State or Territory Export Awards program or the Australian Export Awards program are not eligible to apply.
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made in Australia from Australian primary products
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made overseas, mainly using Australian primary products
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made in Australia from Australian and imported components
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elaborately transformed in Australia
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made overseas using substantial Australian value-add, intellectual property (IP) or know-how, including design
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delivered in Australia to foreign individuals or entities
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delivered overseas using substantial Australian value-add, IP or know-how.
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Applicants must demonstrate delivery of net foreign economic returns to the Australian economy in terms of profit repatriation and employment in Australia.
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Applicants must provide 3 years of export income, unless they are applying for the Emerging Exporter Award which requires up to 3 years of export income.
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Applicants that are unable to provide actual export income for the 2023-24 financial year must provide a genuine estimate that support their demonstrated export efforts.
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Applications containing incomplete financial details will not be assessed.
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The Awards program operates as a two-stage process:
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Stage 1: A business applies to their home state or territory Export Awards program, where they are judged on their selected national and state-based categories (where applicable).
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Stage 2: A business that wins a national category in their home state or territory Export Awards program automatically progress for judging as a national finalist in the Australian Export Awards.
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A business can only submit one application; it must be in the state or territory Export Awards program where the business’ head office is located or where the majority of operations are established.
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Applications are only accepted online via the Export Awards application portal.
A business can apply in one or more of the 13 national categories.
- Winners at the State or Territory Export Awards will only be eligible to progress as a national finalist in one national category.
A business can also apply in state and territory categories (if applicable).
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Winners in a state or territory category are not eligible to progress as a national finalist.
Award categories which are not sector specific have specific or additional eligibility criteria:
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Regional Exporter: a business with a non-metropolitan Head Office or majority of operations is eligible to apply for this award.
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Small Business: a business with total annual sales not exceeding A$10 million is eligible to apply for this award.
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Emerging Exporter: a business which has been exporting for 3 years or less is eligible to apply for this award.
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Past Australian Export Award national winners are eligible to apply, except for inductees in the Australian Export Awards national Hall of Fame.
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Where a business is a state or territory Hall of Fame inductee, they should check with their home State or Territory Awards Coordinator regarding eligibility.
Judging criteria
Areas to focus include:
evidence of sustainable competitive advantage
export success and growth potential
leadership and innovation in international business and marketing strategies
commitment to diversity, inclusion, sustainability and/or positive social impact
value and contribution of exports to business expansion
overall commitment to growth in international business.
Section 1: Business details
Section 2: National award category selection
Section 3: Introduce your company
Section 4: About your business and product/service (25% weighting)
- 4.1-4.2 Criteria
- Assess the viability of the business, including its product/service and unique value proposition, recent milestones and exports/international successes in the current year.
Section 8: Criteria for e-Commerce category
- What are the innovative online practices/strategies the applicant has implemented to maximise their reach overseas (look for innovation in platforms, tools used and customer engagement).
Sections: 5 to 17
- Assess the business’s activities against the selected national category they have applied in. Do these activities clearly reflect and effectively demonstrate leadership and innovation in the selected industry sector?
Section 18: International business marketing strategy (40% weighting)
- 18.1 Criteria: Quality of business and marketing strategy taking into consideration scope of the applicant's international competitive advantage.
- 18.2 Criteria: Value or impact of any diversity and inclusion, sustainability and/or social impact strategies the applicant implemented in their business.
- 18.3-18.4 Criteria: Assess the level and sustainability of international revenue considering:
- Exports as a proportion of total sales revenue.
- Export value, and year-to-year percentage change in value, over the last three years or since the applicant commenced exporting.
- Total export earnings from major overseas markets, and diversity of export markets.
Section 19: Business management (25% weighting)
- 19.1 Criteria: Assess how/if the business’s employment figures and human resources strategies support export growth.
- 19.3 Criteria: Assess the structure of the business’s export/international operations, their systems to effectively respond to international sales and whether the business is appropriately resourced for export expansion.
- 19.4-19.9 Criteria: Soundness of financial strategy for international business. Look for examples of a sound capital base (substantial net profit) and sufficient capital (cash and resources) to support export activity. Do they support the applicant's international plans for the coming year (e.g. new markets, additional staff, different marketing strategies).
Section 20: International business planning and direction (10% weighting)
- 20.1 Criteria: Assess evidence of effective measures and business commitment to international business growth.
Categories
There are 15 award categories – 13 national and two Queensland state-based – that businesses and individuals can apply for.
Winners of the 13 national categories become automatic finalists in the Australian Export Awards that are run and managed by Austrade.
A summary of all categories is provided below
National award categories
Queensland winners of these categories progress to the Australian Export Awards.
- Advance Technologies
- Agribusiness, Food and Beverages
- Creative Industries
- e-Commerce
- Emerging Exporter
- International Education and Training
- International Health
- Manufacturing and Advanced Materials
- Professional Services
- Regional Exporter
- Resources and Energy
- Small Business
- Sustainability and Green Economy
Queensland only award categories
Queensland winners of these categories do not to the Australian Export Awards.
- First Nations
- Women in International Business