Entries are now open to the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards, the country’s pinnacle recognition awards program that celebrates the achievements and economic, social and cultural contribution of small business operators.

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

The Awards feature more than 100 categories, including specialised retail, online retail, best new retail business and other retail-related categories, 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.

“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,” Awards founder and Precedent Productions managing director, Steve Loe said.

“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, 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.”

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

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