National sectors categories, agreed between Austrade and its state and territory government partners, represent export industries and sectors across a broad range of Australian goods and services exports.

 

Agribusiness, Food and Beverages

Outstanding international success in manufactured foods, beverages or agricultural products.  

This includes primary production, forestry, fisheries and related services or technology.  

• Primary producers  
• Food and beverage manufacturers  
• Forestry and fisheries businesses  
• Ag-tech and related services 

 

Creative, Consumer, Lifestyle and Design 

Outstanding international success in creative industries and consumer-facing, design-led products and services.   

This brings together creative outputs and lifestyle/consumer brands where design and brand experience are central. 

• Beauty, cosmetics and skincare 
• Fashion and accessories 
• Homewares and lifestyle products 
• Design studios, creative agencies and branding 
• Film, TV, digital content and games where brand/creative is primary 

 

Digital and Smart Technologies 

Outstanding international success in information technology, digital technologies, software, hardware or digital services.  

This includes solutions using cloud, AI/ML, IoT, AR/VR, robotics, quantum, fintech, cybersecurity and related tools.  

• Software and platform providers  
• AI, data and analytics firms  
• Cybersecurity and fintech companies  
• Hardware and device manufacturers  
• Other critical and emerging technologies

 

International Education and Training 

Outstanding international success in education and training.   

This includes higher education, VET, transnational education, online learning, curriculum development and EdTech.  

• Universities and higher education providers  
• VET and skills providers  
• EdTech and online learning platforms  
• Offshore or transnational education providers 

 

International Health 

For outstanding international success in the fields of health, medical or wellbeing. 

This includes biotechnology, biosecurity, medical technology, digital health, e-health, aged care, disability, complementary health, pharmaceuticals and related services. 

 

Manufacturing and Advanced Materials 

Outstanding international success in manufacturing, engineering or advanced materials development.   

This includes manufacturing of medical devices, advanced manufacturing technologies, design and production.  

• Manufacturers of advanced components or systems  
• Engineering and fabrication firms  
• Advanced materials developers 

 

Professional Services 

For outstanding international success in the field of professional services. 

This includes legal, accounting, administration and support services, business management and consultancy, marketing services, franchising and licensing, engineering, financial and insurance, market research, translation services and tourism and business events. 

 

Resources and Energy 

Outstanding international success in the resources and energy sectors.   

This includes production, processing or value-adding of extractive resources, or provision of related equipment, services or technology.  

• Mining and resources producers  
• METS (mining equipment, technology and services)  
• Energy producers and service providers  

 

Sustainability and Green Economy 

Outstanding international success in the Green Economy.

This includes environmental solutions, clean energy, sustainable materials, renewables, waste and water management, green building, smart cities or businesses with strong sustainability practices.  

• Clean energy and renewables  
• Recycling and circular economy businesses  
• Environmental services and technology  
• Sustainable materials and solutions 

Cross-cutting categories, agreed between Austrade and its state and territory government partners, are not sector specific. They highlight achievements of Australian goods and services exporters across the economy.

Emerging Exporter 

For outstanding export achievement by a business which has been exporting for two years or less.  

This includes established and new businesses in any industry.  

Eligibility  

• Meets Awards eligibility criteria. 
• a business will only need to supply 2 years or less of financial data if applying in this category.  
• a business that applies in this category is not eligible to apply in any other sector specific or business category.   

 

First Nations Exporter 

Outstanding international success by a First Nations business.   

This includes First Nations businesses operating in any industry, who have been exporter for 3 years or more.   

Eligibility  

• Meets Awards eligibility criteria. 
• Meets First Nation category eligibility  

Must be 51% First Nations owned and provide evidence to demonstrate the business meets the threshold (see Evidence Requirements below) 

Evidence requirement/s 

A First Nations or Indigenous businesses applying for the First Nations Exporter category must be able to demonstrate they meet the 51% First Nations owned threshold.   

To ensure alignment with the Australian Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy, evidence must include the below registration or certification:   

• with Supply Nation on the ‘Indigenous Business Direct’ public register (as a ‘registered’ or ‘certified’) 
• by the Office of the Registrar for Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) 
• by the First Nations Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI),   
• By other Indigenous Chamber of Commerce within a businesses’ home state or territory, or Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce. 
• by Indigenous Business Australia, or an Indigenous Business and Employment Hub, under the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA),
• by local Aboriginal Land Councils or Prescribes Bodies Corporate (PBC), or 
• other government recognised indigenous business registers. 

  

Regional Exporter 

Outstanding international success by a regional business.  

This includes businesses in any sector that is based in a regional or remote location.  

 

Small Business 

For outstanding international success by a small business.  

This includes businesses with total annual turnover not exceeding A$10 million. 

The coveted ACT Exporter of the Year will be chosen from the 13 National Category winners.

Applicants benefit by

• Looking critically at your business, guided by the awards criteria that highlight what’s important for successful international businesses
• Benchmarking your business against others in your industry

 

Finalists benefit by

• Inclusion in Export Awards media/publicity campaigns
• Profile as an Export Awards finalist on the Export Council of Australia’s website
• Opportunity to get involved, profile your business, and share your export story at the Export Council of Australia’s export events
• Profiling opportunities in Export Council of Australia’s marketing (i.e. case studies on successful New South Wales exporters, website exposure etc.)
• ACT Export Awards finalist logo for use on your company’s collateral – put the Export Awards finalist symbol on your business cards, letterhead and brochures to communicate your success to your international clients

 

Winners benefit by

• Exclusive use of the ACT Export Awards winner’s logo
• ACT Export Awards winner’s trophy and framed winner’s certificate
• Invitations to Export Council of Australia’s ACT Export Awards winners roundtable and other events
• An opportunity to vie for the ACT Exporter of the Year Award

Winning a Australian Capital Territory award in one of the 14 national categories also means your company progresses as a finalist in the Australian Export Awards. This means:

• An opportunity to vie for the Australian Exporter of the Year Award
• Promotion by Austrade of the Australian Export Awards finalists and on the Australian Export Awards website;
• An Australian Export Awards National Finalist certificate;
• Complimentary registration for your team to attend a masterclass hosted by leading experts to gain insights into the latest innovative trends in global business
• Complimentary attendance to the Australian Export Awards National Awards Ceremony
• Entitlement to use the national Australian Export Awards logo for your corporate marketing materials
• Feedback from national judges on your application

Find out if you’re eligible to apply for the Australian Export Awards program.

We welcome applications from businesses that meet the following criteria:

Business 
Eligible businesses must:

• earn foreign income
• hold an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• operate as a separate business if part of a larger organisation
• 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.

Ineligible businesses include:

• 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.
• sponsors of a state or territory Export Awards program or the Australian Export Awards program are not eligible to apply.

 

Products or services 

Eligible exported products or services must include significant (at least 50%) Australian content or value-add. This may include product or services:

• made in Australia from Australian primary products
• made overseas, mainly using Australian primary products
• made in Australia from Australian and imported components
• elaborately transformed in Australia
• made overseas using substantial Australian value-add, intellectual property (IP) or know-how, including design
• delivered in Australia to foreign individuals or entities
• delivered overseas using substantial Australian value-add, IP or know-how.

 

Financial 

Eligible applicants must:

• demonstrate delivery of net foreign economic returns to the Australian economy in terms of profit repatriation and employment in Australia
• provide 3 years of export income, unless they are applying for the Emerging Exporter Award which requires up to 3 years of export income

Applicants that are unable to provide actual export income for the 2024-25 financial year must provide a genuine estimate that support their demonstrated export efforts.

Businesses can now submit a letter from a Certificate Practicing Accountant (CPA) that attests to the business’s financial stability.

Applications containing incomplete financial details will not be assessed.

 

Applications 

The Awards program operates as a two-stage process:

• 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).
• Stage 2: A business that wins a national category in their home state or territory progresses to judging as a national finalist in the Australian Export Awards.

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.

Applications are only accepted online via the Export Awards application portal.

 

Category-specific criteria 

A business can only apply in one of each of the following national category types:

• National sector category
• Cross-cutting category

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).

• Winners in a state or territory category are not eligible to progress as a national finalist.

The following Award categories, which are not sector specific, have specific or additional eligibility criteria:

• Regional Exporter: a business with a non-metropolitan Head Office or majority of operations is eligible to apply for this award.
• Small Business: a business with total annual sales not exceeding A$10 million is eligible to apply for this award.
• Emerging Exporter: a business which has been exporting for 2 years or less is eligible to apply for this award.
• First Nations Exporter: Must be 51% First Nations owned and provide evidence to demonstrate the business meets the threshold (see Evidence Requirements below)

 

Evidence requirement/s

A First Nations or Indigenous businesses applying for the First Nations Exporter category must be able to demonstrate they meet the 51% First Nations owned threshold.

To ensure alignment with the Australian Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy, evidence must include the below registration or certification:

• with Supply Nation on the ‘Indigenous Business Direct’ public register (as a ‘registered’ or ‘certified’)
• by the Office of the Registrar for Indigenous Corporations (ORIC)
• by the First Nations Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI),
• By other Indigenous Chamber of Commerce within a businesses’ home state or territory, or Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce.
• by Indigenous Business Australia, or an Indigenous Business and Employment Hub, under the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA),
• by local Aboriginal Land Councils or Prescribes Bodies Corporate (PBC), or
• other government recognised indigenous business registers.

 

Previous winners and Hall of Fame 

Past Australian Export Award national winners are eligible to apply, except for inductees in the Australian Export Awards national Hall of Fame.

Where a business is a state or territory Hall of Fame inductee, they should check with their State or Territory Awards Coordinator for eligibility criteria.

Eligible applications must meet the following criteria to enter the awards: 

• a business can only submit one application 

• an application must be submitted in the state or territory Export Awards program where the business’ head office is located or where the majority of operations are established 

• an application is only accepted online via the Export Awards application portal.