Factsheet | Export Awards

Find out about the Australian Export Award finalists across all national award categories. Be inspired by their success.

2026 Australian Export Awards key facts

The Australian Export Awards is one of Australia's longest running business awards programs.
The program is celebrating its 64th year in 2026.
In 1963, the Export Development Council wanted to recognise Australian businesses with outstanding export success.
The inaugural Australian Export Award national ceremony was held in Canberra on 27 November 1963.
The Australian Export Awards program is jointly delivered by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and State and Territory Governments.
The Australian Export Awards recognises outstanding, innovative and inspiring exporters, providing those businesses a chance to tell their export story in Australia and on a global stage.
Businesses must apply in their home state or territory; eligible state and territory winners of the 13 national categories become national finalists in the program.
The 2026 national winners of each award category and the Australian Exporter of the Year will be announced at the national awards ceremony held at Parliament House Canberra on 18 November 2026.
The Minister for Trade and Tourism is invited to host the 64th Australian Export Awards national ceremony.

In the 2025 Australian Export Awards:

370 businesses submitted applications across 8 states and territories.
95 national finalists (State and Territory winners of the national award categories).

In 2025, the Australian Export Awards national finalists:

Employed more than 18,114 people in FY2024/25; of these employees an average of 85% were employed within Australia.
The 95 finalists generated over $4.3 billion in export earnings in FY2024/25, including over $1.9 billion from 9 ASX listed companies.
34% (32 businesses) are new to the Australian Export Awards program.
45% (43 businesses) are classified as small businesses with an annual turnover of less than 10 million.
37% (35 businesses) are led by women (either independently or jointly).
8% (8 businesses) are a First Nations business (at least 50% owned by indigenous persons).
One was established in 1921, and the youngest was established in 2022.

All queries should be emailed to export.awards@austrade.gov.au.