FAQ

The number of times you have been nominated does not influence the judging process. You only need to submit one entry regardless of how many times you have been nominated.

If you have been nominated by someone you know, you may choose to let them know the reason you are not entering. There is no obligation to enter the Awards.

There is no cost to enter the Awards.

The Awards team is ready to help. Please call 1800 817 536 9am to 7pm AEST, Monday to Friday or download the entry information pack.

Yes, you can win from one of the three qualifying Award categories, the Young Business Women’s Award and (if eligible) the Innovation Award.
Winners of the qualifying categories will also be eligible to win the overall Telstra Business Woman of the Year for their state/territory.

All entry submissions are kept in the strictest confidence. All hard copies of entries are securely destroyed, while electronic records of this entry will be securely stored by the Awards team for a period of 5 years for auditing and research purposes only.

Entering takes a large commitment of time and thought. It varies by entrant but please expect it to take at least seven hours, and for many entrants it can take longer. Ensuring you have the required information at the start of the process can help you complete it more quickly. We’ve prepared a list of things you will need to complete your entry, which you can view here.

Yes, your answers to every question will contribute to your overall score, so it is important to answer ALL questions and address the key entry criteria. Please keep your answers to the word limit listed at the top of each question.

At the end of the entry you will be asked to provide details of three business referees who can be contacted for a reference check. You must first seek approval from these contacts before you enter their details, so they are aware that they may be contacted should you be short-listed for the next stage. Referees cannot be a spouse or family member. We are seeking a holistic view of our entrants so one reference must be provided from each of the three groups below:

1. Your direct manager, CEO, Chairman or Board Member and for Business Owners a business mentor is acceptable
2. A professional colleague or supplier, and
3. A direct report, employee or client

Yes, you are eligible to enter the Community and Government Award.

Yes, you are eligible to enter the Business Owner Award if you own more than 50 per cent of the business, or the Private and Corporate Sector Award if you own less than 50 per cent.

Yes, you are eligible to enter the Business Owner Award if you own more than 50 per cent of the business, or the Private and Corporate Sector Award if you own less than 50 per cent.

In the Business Owner Award, the business must have been operating for at least 36 months. It is fine for you as the business owner to have been in the business or your current role less than 36 months. Other categories only require that you have enough experience to show significant achievements and results.

If you do not accurately complete ALL components of the financial question your entry will not be considered for judging. You should ask your accountant for help in completing this question. If you progress to the second stage of judging, you will be asked to provide verification of the figures by your accountant.

If you enter the Private and Corporate Award or Community and Government Award you are required to include some financial details.

To be eligible for this Award you must enter one of the three qualifying categories and confirm that you are aged 34 years or under as at 30 June 2013.

Judges are selected from a pool of local and national business people by an independent organisation. The panel is made up of representatives from sponsor organisations, the business community and one Telstra representative. All judges must sign a confidentiality agreement to ensure that your entry submission and details about you and your business will not be disclosed to anyone outside the judging process. Your entry will be treated with the strictest confidence at all times.

A detailed set of judging guidelines is used to help judges assess your entry. Judges are looking for concise, relevant and informative answers specific to the question. In most cases the questions are behaviorally based. It is important to provide as much detail about the Context, Action, Result and Evidence of your experience within the word count at the top of each question. All questions are designed to help convey your philosophies and practices. It is important to address all elements that have lead to your success; how you have achieved success to date, as well as your plans and vision for the future. There is rarely one single element that sets winners apart; however in the past, the judges have commented that many of the winners have displayed the following common characteristics:

• Ability to articulate a clear purpose and vision for the future
• Proven business successes
• Vision, integrity, self-awareness and a balanced approach
• Ability to act as positive role models for both men and women
• Social, community and industry contribution
• Passion and commitment to their chosen fields of endeavour
• Demonstration of leadership and passion for mentoring others
• High energy, coupled with personal discipline, organisation and focus

You can download more information here.

When you submit your entry online, you will be given an option to download a copy of your entry upon completion. Submissions printed for the judging process will be securely destroyed at the end of the program and therefore cannot be returned.

If you are short-listed you will be required to attend a 30 minute interview in your capital city.

It is not possible for judges to give individual feedback.

We will keep all entrants advised of their progress. Letters will be sent to all entrants notifying them of the results.

Initially you will compete within your state or territory. Then if you are selected as a category winner, you will go through to the national competition.

Yes. Finalists or winners will be invited to join the Telstra Business Women’s Network – an Alumni organisation developed exclusively for all Telstra Business Women’s Award winners and finalists. For more information visit telstrabusinesswomensnetwork.com

Tickets for each event will go on sale about six weeks prior to the event. All ticketing information and bookings will be made through this website.

You can find out about our past winners here

You’ll find groups relating to the Telstra Business Women’s Awards on Facebook and LinkedIn.

The latest information will be available on the website and also posted on Facebook and LinkedIn. Photos from this year’s events will also be shared on Flickr.