How to Register for Industry Awards in Australia: The Guide for Startup Founders

I’ve seen founders hesitate on awards because they feel “not ready.” Truth is, registering for industry awards is one of the fastest ways to build credibility, attract customers, and even land investors—especially in your first five years.

In Australia, industry awards aren’t just trophies on the shelf. They’re validation signals. They put your brand in front of judges, media, and potential partners. And yet, most founders skip them, thinking they’re for “bigger businesses.” The reality? Many awards are designed specifically for startups and emerging brands. The businesses that enter—and learn how to write strong submissions—often leapfrog competitors in visibility and trust.

A Sydney founder I mentored in 2022 was struggling to stand out in the crowded HR tech space. We applied for two awards: the Australian Business Awards and a niche HR tech award. They didn’t win the first year—but they became finalists, got featured in media, and leveraged the “finalist” badge in sales decks.

Within six months, inbound leads doubled. By year two, they won—and investors suddenly took their pitch more seriously.

What Exactly Is Register for Industry Awards?

Registering for industry awards means identifying relevant award programs, submitting an application that highlights your achievements, and leveraging the recognition (win or not) for growth.

Awards range from broad (Telstra Best of Business Awards, Australian Small Business Champion Awards) to industry-specific (like FinTech Awards, Retailer Awards). They’re judged on different criteria: innovation, growth, impact, leadership.

Benefits for your business:

• Leverage innovation awards to build global brand authority.

• Use industry recognition to cement credibility with enterprise buyers.

• Benefit from Chamber of Commerce or regional awards that give press coverage and networking.

In short: awards are credibility accelerators.

Why This Could Make or Break Your Business

Awards aren’t vanity—they’re growth levers.

• Legal: Recognition through awards can strengthen grant applications or tenders where reputation is evaluated.

• Financial: Winning (or even being a finalist) can reduce CAC by building trust faster. Customers convert when they see validation.

• Growth: Awards often come with media features, networking, and partnerships that money can’t easily buy.

• Reputation: Awards signal authority and build pride in your team—critical for attracting talent in Australia’s competitive market.

Skipping awards leaves visibility on the table.

Before You Start

Before registering, prepare:

• Identify which awards align with your industry and stage.

• Gather proof points (financials, testimonials, case studies, impact data).

• Nominate someone to manage the application process.

• Create a timeline (most awards take weeks to prepare).

• Draft reusable content (about us, achievements, customer stories).

• Decide how you’ll leverage the result (PR, website badges, pitch decks).

This prep makes applications smoother and more compelling.

How to Register for Industry Awards:

Step by Step

Step 1: Find the Right Awards

Not every award is worth your time.

• Search industry associations and chambers of commerce.

• Check local/state government websites.

• Use startup hubs like Fishburners or Stone & Chalk for opportunities.

• Look at what competitors have won. 

Result: You shortlist awards that fit your sector and growth goals.

Step 2: Understand the Criteria

Every award has its own rules.

• Read eligibility carefully (size, industry, revenue).

• Note deadlines—many close months in advance.

• Check what evidence is required (financials, testimonials).

• Prioritise awards judged on metrics you can prove. 

Result: You avoid wasting time on awards you can’t realistically win.

Step 3: Build a Strong Application

Applications are storytelling documents.

• Highlight achievements with numbers (growth %, customer wins).

• Showcase innovation, impact, or leadership.

• Include testimonials, press coverage, and metrics.

• Write clear, plain English answers—avoid jargon. Pro tip: Use customer success stories as proof. 

Result: Judges see tangible impact, not vague claims.

Step 4: Submit Early and Correctly

Don’t scramble at the last minute.

• Prepare documents (financials, ABN, team bios).

• Have someone proofread for clarity.

• Submit at least a week before deadline.

• Confirm receipt with organisers. 

Result: Your application is complete, polished, and stress-free.

Step 5: Leverage the Outcome

Win or finalist status—it all counts.

• Add award logos to your website and decks.

• Announce on LinkedIn, media releases, and email campaigns.

• Celebrate internally to boost morale.

• Use the story in pitches and investor decks. 

Result: Recognition translates into trust and visibility.

Following this process means awards become part of your growth strategy, not just a “nice extra.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid as a Founder

A Brisbane SaaS founder copied-pasted generic answers into multiple award submissions. Judges saw through it, and they were overlooked. Tailor each application.

A Melbourne retailer entered irrelevant awards. Customers saw the “badge” and thought it was meaningless. Align awards with your brand.

An Adelaide consultant won but never told anyone. The opportunity for credibility and PR vanished. If you don’t leverage awards, you waste them.

Real-World Examples

• A Perth health-tech startup entered a regional innovation award. They didn’t win, but local media covered their finalist status. That single article attracted a partnership with a major hospital.

• A Sydney ecommerce founder won a national retail award. They plastered the badge across ads, emails, and packaging. Their conversions jumped by 22% within three months.

Both cases prove: recognition only works if you use it.

What It Costs and How Long It Takes

You’ll need to budget for both money and time. Here’s what founders usually face:

• DIY / In-house: $0–$200 AUD + 10–20 hrs. Most award entries are free or low cost, but time-intensive.

  
  

• Template/Resource: $50–$300 AUD + 5–10 hrs. Application templates and submission guides streamline effort.

  
  

• Professional / Done-for-you: $1,500–$6,000 AUD + 3–6 weeks. Consultants write applications and manage submissions.

  
  

• Ongoing / Renewal: $0–$1,000 AUD/year. Some awards require re-submission or membership fees.

Hidden Costs

• Time wasted on irrelevant awards.

• Poor applications that weaken credibility.

• Missing deadlines due to lack of preparation.

Mentor Tip

Apply to smaller or local awards first—wins there build momentum and credibility for bigger ones.

What to Do Next

 ✅ Download free Business Tools at ProDesk—designed for those ready to stop waiting and start building their business the right way today [ProDeck.com].

 ✅ Partner with Noize—visit noize.com.au and book a session. We specialise in helping founders secure the essentials so they can scale with confidence [Noize.com.au].

 ✅ Grab The StartupDeck. It’s a deck of over 200 founder-tested strategies to help you make smarter decisions and accelerate growth [theStartUpDeck.com].

By acting now, you turn recognition into reach and reach into results.

The Bottom Line

Awards aren’t vanity—they’re leverage. They help you cut through the noise, earn credibility, and position your business as trustworthy.

Don’t wait until you’re “ready.” Start applying early, learn the process, and build momentum. Every application sharpens your story. Every finalist badge boosts trust.

In a crowded market, recognition isn’t optional—it’s a growth multiplier.

FAQs

Do I need to be an established business to apply? 

No. Many Australian awards have categories for startups, early-stage founders, and even students.

What if I don’t win? 

Finalist status still builds credibility. Media and customers rarely care if it’s a win or finalist—they see recognition.

How many awards should I apply for? 

Start with 2–3 relevant awards per year. Quality over quantity.

Are industry awards really worth the time? 

Yes. The PR, trust, and visibility often outweigh the time invested—especially when leveraged well.

Can I outsource award applications? 

Yes. Many PR consultants and copywriters specialise in writing award submissions.