Small Business of the Year
Small Business of the Year recognises a commercially strong Australian small business with sound financial performance, effective systems and a clear path for sustainable growth. It celebrates owners who use their resources well, make disciplined decisions and build a healthy business with strong customer outcomes.
Is this your category?
A quick read on the businesses this title is written for.
Runs an established small business with strong commercial foundations.
Can demonstrate sustainable financial performance and measurable growth.
Uses systems, people and resources effectively to deliver consistent results.
Shows clear owner-led decision-making and a credible plan for the next stage of growth.
What judges need to see.
The five areas your answers are assessed against.
Foundation
Foundation: Business model, commercial foundations and clarity of the small business opportunity.
Results
Results: Financial health, sustainable growth and measurable customer or market outcomes.
Decisions
Decisions: Resource allocation, systems, operational improvements and decisions that strengthened the business.
Leadership
Leadership: Owner leadership, team or contractor management and accountability for performance.
Impact
Impact: Customer value, market contribution and a realistic plan for sustainable growth.
Evidence to start gathering
Financial evidence is mandatory to verify the turnover threshold and support claimed commercial performance. Include clear figures, timeframes and appropriate supporting documentation.
Read the Evidence Pack guideActual turnover figures and financial performance evidence.
Profitability or margin data with relevant context.
Customer or client growth and retention data.
Repeat purchase, repeat business or referral results.
System or process improvements with measurable efficiency gains.
Team, contractor or capacity growth.
Customer satisfaction or service outcome data.
Evidence of reinvestment and progress toward the next stage of growth.
Entry details and eligibility
The format, the dates and the conditions that apply to this title.
The business must have aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million.
- Assessment period
- 2024–27.
- Minimum business age
- 3 years.
- Written responses
- 5.
- Evidence Pack
- 5 pages.
1 January 2024 to 28 February 2027
Minimum 3 years in business as at 4 October 2026.
5 written responses, up to 400 words each.
One PDF, up to 5 pages and 10 MB.
Resources
Before you enter
Five short reads that answer almost everything. Each one opens the Entry Guide at the right place.
Evidence Pack guide
What counts as evidence, what does not, and how to lay the PDF out.
Full eligibility
The rules that apply to every title, including trading dates and locations.
How judging works
Who reads your entry, how it is scored and how finalists are chosen.
Build a strong entry
How to answer the five questions with specifics instead of adjectives.
Frequently asked questions
Costs, deadlines, multiple entries and everything else people ask first.
RAYE Awards 2027
Small Business of the Year
Entries are written and submitted in the RAYE Awards portal, a separate system to RAYE Haus. Read the criteria, gather your evidence, then head across.