excellence in diversity and inclusion
The Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award recognises businesses that champion inclusivity for diverse communities, such as older people, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and people with disability. An inclusive business facilitates the needs of all its employees and customers.
Entry Criteria
Entrants must demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to address the needs of a diverse community. This category is open to businesses that have been trading continuously for two or more years.
Award eligibility check box
- The organisation has been trading for a continuous period of two or more years and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
- A representative of this business has not been a judge in this category in 2025.
- A representative of this business is not a judge in the 2026Business Awards program.
Questions
1. Outline the diversity of your employees, such as gender, employees with disability, older people (over 55), young people (18-24 years), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from multicultural backgrounds. Maximum word count: 200
2. Identify and describe the positive and proactive inclusive practices you take within your business that go beyond regulatory compliance. Maximum word count: 350
3. Describe your employment and hiring practices that demonstrate your commitment to being an inclusive employer. Maximum word count: 350
4. Identify and describe how your business has created an accessible and inclusive environment that is welcoming for all your customers, including people with disability, older people, and people from multicultural backgrounds. Maximum word count: 400
5. Explain why your business embarked on being more accessible and inclusive and describe what further actions you will take to become more accessible and inclusive to employees and customers. Maximum word count: 400
Before you proceed:
- Please reference the Rules of Entry via the entry portal
- Check the eligibility criteria at the top of the category you wish to enter
Information you need to know
- All winners in the following categories progress through Local and Regional Awards to State Awards
- Your business is required to operate in the Lismore LGA at the time of entry, judging and the Awards ceremony on the 1st of August 2026.
- The qualifying period is the 2025 calendar year i.e. January to December 2025. Questions referring to the past 12 months should cover this period. Questions relating to the past 24 months cover the period between January 2024 – December 2025.
- All submissions are subject to a strict word count limit. The maximum word count for each question is specified directly under the question itself. You will be unable to write more than the set word count limit.
- We encourage you to draft your entry in a Word document, then upload the finalised version to the Business NSW portal. All submissions must be uploaded to the award portal to qualify for entry.
- Your entry may be edited until the closing time of 5.00pm on 10th June 2026. However, once you click SUBMIT, your entry cannot be edited.
- All questions must be answered, and criteria addressed.
- Ensure your answers are clear and concise. Avoid using jargon and acronyms.
- Refrain from repeating the same content and validate all statements and claims with supporting evidence.
- Ensure your entries are proofread carefully – check for spelling, grammatical and typographical errors.
- NOTE: The submission deadline is final. NO EXTENSIONS will be provided. The Business NSW portal will automatically prevent submissions being entered after the deadline has passed.
- We strongly urge you to get your submission in well before the closing date!
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