employer of choice- 20 employees & under
The Employer of Choice Award – Under 20 Employees recognises a business that has implemented strategies and initiatives to create a stimulating and supportive workplace environment.
Entry Criteria
Entrants must demonstrate their achievements over the past 12 months across the key areas of employee recruitment, engagement, and retention. Category criteria are based on initiatives that have had a positive impact on both employees and the business.
Award eligibility check box
- The business has been trading for a continuous period of two years or more and is not bankrupt or trading insolvent at the time of entry.
- This business has 20 or fewer employees on the payroll in Australia 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 2026 Business Awards program.
Questions
1. What are the initiatives you have undertaken to develop a positive workplace culture within your business? Maximum word count: 400
2. Describe how your business adopts inclusive practices and recognises the needs of a diverse workforce, including examples. Maximum word count: 400
3. Excluding business growth or expansion, what percentage of staff turnover has your business experienced in the past 12 months and what are the reasons for this turnover? Maximum word count: 300
4. How does your business empower its workforce to develop their skills, contribute to a positive workplace culture and deepen their engagement with the business and the community? Maximum word count: 400
5. Provide measurable evidence that demonstrates how these initiatives make you an employer of choice. 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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