Submissions are now open! Apply now.
We are accepting entries until 13 July 2025.
Celebrating Excellence in Family Business since 1999.
Family Business Association (FBA) celebrates success in family business through the Family Business Excellence Awards. Recognising the passion, legacy and innovation of family businesses across Australia and New Zealand.
The Family Business Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of families and individuals in respected and successful family businesses of all sizes and at all stages, acknowledging the significant contribution they make to the Australian and New Zealand social fabric and economy.
Unlike many other business awards, the Family Business Excellence Awards acknowledge and showcase excellence in family businesses. We invite you to submit your entry, presenting how your family business is exemplary, and in particular, how family ownership and involvement help the business to achieve competitive advantage.
Why Apply?
Tell Your Story. Be Recognised. Grow Through the Process.
Whether you're just starting out or representing a multigenerational family business, this awards program is a powerful opportunity to:
- Be recognised for your hard work and success.
- Showcase your achievements and tell your family business story.
- Benchmark yourself against peers and receive expert feedback.
- Celebrate your team’s contribution to your legacy.
- Gain visibility through state and national events.
- Be splashed across FBA communications celebrating your award win.
- Receive detailed feedback to help you grow—whether you win or not.
It’s a rigorous, enriching process with tangible outcomes.
Family Business Award Categories
The Family Business Association annual awards program highlights successful family businesses in each Australian state/region and New Zealand across Founder’s, Established and Legacy categories. Open to both FBA members and non-members, we celebrate the vital contribution of the family business sector as a whole.
Awards in each business category will be presented at the FBA Insights Conferences across Australia & New Zealand in September and October 2025. The winners in each region are then judged against each other, with an overall winner in each category announced and presented at the Family Business Conference: Asia-Pacific in May 2026. Finalists will receive a 20% discount to attend the Family Business Conference: Asia-Pacific (inclusive of the Welcome Function and Family Business Excellence Awards Dinner).
For family businesses still formalising structures, driven by founder and family involvement and entrepreneurial grit.
For established family businesses with formal governance, established succession plans and multi-generational engagement.
For mature generational family businesses demonstrating sustainable growth, structured governance and community impact.
The Family Business of the Year Award is presented annually to the family business that received the highest collective score across all categories and stages of judging. This award is determined solely by our panel of judges.
Individual Award Categories
The individual-focused awards include three categories: Accredited Advisor of the Year, Emerging Leader in Family Business and Leading Woman in Family Business.
The top 3 finalists for both the Emerging Leader and Leading Woman in a family business will be showcased at FBA Insights Conferences across Australia & New Zealand in September and October 2025. These 6 finalists, along with the winner of the Accredited Advisor of the Year Award, will receive a 20% discount to attend the Family Business Conference: Asia-Pacific (inclusive of the Welcome Function and Family Business Excellence Awards Dinner) held in May 2026, where the overall winners will be presented.
Outstanding long-term (min 4 years) contributions by an FBA Accredited Advisor to FBA members. (This category is open to FBA Accredited Advisor/Specialist Accredited Advisor Members only)
Recognising an outstanding person successfully navigating the path to leadership in their family business, embracing best practice and commitment to the family’s values and history.
Celebrating an outstanding woman who demonstrates significant achievements in leadership, who champions the role of women in family business and the wider community.
Submissions are now open! Apply now.
We are accepting entries until 13 July 2025.
Award entries are open to FBA members and non-members*, as we celebrate the vital contribution of the family business sector as a whole.
*With the exception of the Accredited Advisor of the Year Award, only open to FBA Accredited Advisor Members.
Entries may be:
- Self-nominated
- 3rd party- nominated or,
- By referee. Entries by referee should be sent to awards@familybusiness.org.au or awards@familybusiness.org.nz and FBA will contact the nominated party [individual/business] accordingly. Thereafter it is the responsibility of the nominated party to submit their own award entry at their discretion.
A rigorous, thorough,
expert-led process.
The Family Business Excellence Awards are underpinned by a robust and impartial judging process. FBA appoints a panel of qualified and experienced judges who are bound by a strict code of conduct to ensure fairness and integrity throughout. To preserve the independence of the process, the identities of the judges remain confidential and will not be shared by FBA.
All entries are assessed based on the information submitted via the entry form and any supporting materials provided. Judges may also consult external experts when necessary to inform their decision-making. Their decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into. Except for interviews conducted during Phase 2, entrants must not have direct contact with the judging panel.
|
Stage |
Timing |
|---|---|
|
Submissions Open |
1 May 2025 |
|
Submissions Close |
13 July 2025 |
|
State/Regional Judging |
August - September 2025 |
|
Business Categories State/Regional winners and Top 3 Finalists for Emerging Leaders and Leading Woman are announced at FBA Insights Conferences around Australia and New Zealand |
September - October 2025 |
|
Finalists Interviews |
November 2025 |
|
All 6 Award Winners Announced at the Family Business Excellence Awards Dinner, at the Family Business Conference: Asia-Pacific |
May 2026 |
Entrants will be assessed and selected over two judging phases.
Phase One - Initial Judging
- Business Awards Categories: Independent judging will lead to the selection of winners across 6 regions - VIC/TAS, NSW/ACT, SA/NT, QLD, WA, NZ - and these successful entrants will then progress as finalists to determine an overall AU/NZ winner.
- The top three entrants in the Leading Woman and Emerging Leader in Family Business Awards will automatically progress as finalists. There are no separate state/regional finalists for these categories.
- Accredited Advisor of the Year Award: One overall winner will be determined across all states/regions.
Phase Two - Finalist Interviews
- Finalists in the Founder’s, Established and Legacy Family Business Awards for each state/region will be interviewed by the respective judging panel. One winner from each category will be determined from the outcome of these interviews.
- The top three finalists in the Leading Woman and Emerging Leader in Family Business Awards may be interviewed by the respective judging panel.
- Interviews to determine the winner of the Accredited Advisor of the Year Award will only occur at the discretion of the judging panel in the event of a tie between entrants.
Submissions are now open! Apply now.
We are accepting entries until 13 July 2025.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Have a question about the Family Business Excellence Awards? Below you’ll find answers to the most commonly asked questions – from who can enter, to how judging works, and everything in between.
If you don’t see your question here, feel free to contact us directly. We're here to help you put your best foot forward.
Contact the Family Business Association team at awards@familybusiness.org.au or awards@familybusiness.org.nz
Family Business Association (FBA) is the peak body for family businesses in Australia and New Zealand, helping family businesses to grow and thrive. Uniquely family business focused, FBA helps members navigate the nuanced intersection of family dynamics and business operations, including succession planning, governance, financial management and strategic planning.
Why join Family Business Association?
There is something truly special about the FBA community, where like-minded peers come together, creating a supportive and trusting environment for each other. The vulnerability, openness to share, and readiness to assist each other is a testament to the strength and camaraderie of the FBA community and the special ‘magic dust’ they create.
- Community: Networking with like-minded peers provides you with authentic support and guidance from people who truly understand. Our Forum Group Program takes this even further, providing unmatched support.
- Learning: Tailored, family business specific courses will give you and your family the tools and next steps to strategically plan for sustained success.
- Advocacy: FBA will help to amplify your business' voice while representing the needs of the family business sector to government, key associations and the community.
- Guidance: Connect with expert FBA Family Business Accredited Advisors to receive trusted guidance and support from professionals who understand the nuances of operating a family business.
Harness the knowledge and experience of a community that truly understands what it means to be in family business.
You don’t have to do it alone.
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