Eligibility
Before 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.