Entries have officially opened to the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards – the nation’s pinnacle recognition awards programme that celebrates the achievements and considerable economic, social and cultural contribution of the millions of small business operators from right across the country.

This year marks the 26th consecutive year of the Awards, which specifically highlight the best of Australia’s small businesses in the retail, services and manufacturing industries.

Featuring more than 100 categories, including automotive mechanical repairs and automotive smash repairs, as well as special spotlight categories – Business of the Decade, Small Business Young Entrepreneur (aged 30 and younger), Small Business Entrepreneur (aged over 30) and the 2024 Growth Award – online entry to the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards is FREE and will remain open until 15 February 2024.

According to Australian Government data, small businesses provide employment for 5.1 million Australians (nearly double that of big business) and account for one-third of Australia’s GDP. Moreover, as recognised via a 2023 report released by the Reserve Bank of Australia, small businesses continue to play an important role in local communities – despite an ongoing challenging economic environment particularly during the past year.

“From high inflation and exceptional increases in operating expenses, to challenges associated with staff hire, productivity and the overall current high cost of living, there’s no disputing that Australian small businesses are currently doing it very tough,” says Steve Loe, Awards Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions – a small business in its own right which has been coordinating the Australian Small Business Champion Awards since 1999.

“It is often rightly said that small business is the backbone of the national economy. The millions of Australian small business operators ought to be honoured now more than ever before, not just for their economic contribution but also for their invaluable support of community-based initiatives and worthwhile causes that couldn’t overwise be supported so significantly.

“Even after more than two decades of presenting the Australian Small Business Champion Awards, I am still in absolute awe of the resilience and remarkable triumphs of our nation’s small business operators. It is truly a privilege to help shine a deserved spotlight on these small business champions.

“From regional and rural areas to the suburbs and capital cities, small business operators from all parts of the country are encouraged to enter the Awards – free of charge – as we strive to celebrate the people behind the small businesses that shape their local communities and our nation as a whole,” added Mr Loe.

CommBank is Presenting Partner of the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards.

Finalists of the 2024 programme will be announced during March; and winners of the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards will be revealed via two National Presentation Evening Gala events at Sydney’s The Star on 12 and 13 April 2024.

For more information and to submit an entry form, visit: businesschampions.com.au.