Top healthcare and business awards in Australia 2026

This list is updated regularly with the top healthcare and business awards to watch in Australia

First published: 24 October 2025

Last updated: 28 April 2026.

National business and entrepreneurship awards

Telstra Best of Business Awards – Recognises small and medium Australian businesses excelling in innovation, sustainability and community impact.
2026 nominations open all year round

EY Entrepreneur of the Year – Celebrates exceptional entrepreneurs demonstrating leadership, innovation and purpose.
2026 nominations now open

Australian Business Awards – Acknowledges business innovation, product excellence and workplace culture.
2026 submission dates not yet confirmed

Australian Champion Awards – A national program recognising excellence across business, professional and women’s leadership categories, including healthcare, professional services and entrepreneurship.
2026 submissions closed. Stay tuned for next year. 

Healthcare and industry-specific awards

Allied Health Awards – Recognises excellence and innovation in allied health practice, education and leadership.
2026 nominations must close 31 May 2026

AMA Queensland Awards – Celebrates doctors and health professionals improving patient care and medical leadership across Queensland.
2026 submissions are closed. Stay tuned for 2027 nominations.

IAHA National Excellence in Allied Health Awards – Recognise the contribution of IAHA members to their profession and/or improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2026 nominations open 4 May 2026.

NSW Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards 2026 – Recognise outstanding nurses, midwives and teams who lead with compassion, drive innovation and deliver high quality care that improves outcomes for patients, women and families, and communities across NSW.
2026 nominations open 4 May – 12 June 2026.

National Rural and Remote Healthcare Awards – Recognises healthcare professionals and organisations delivering quality care in regional and remote Australia.
2026 submission dates not yet confirmed.

Pride in Health + Wellbeing Awards – Celebrates organisations advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality across the health and wellbeing sector.
Winners based on Health + Wellbeing Equality Index (HWEI) results

Value-Based Health Care Awards (Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association) – Showcases projects improving outcomes and value in healthcare delivery.
2026 submission dates not yet confirmed

Innovation and research awards

Australian Financial Review Most Innovative Companies – Recognises organisations leading innovation and transformation in their field.
2026 nominations close 28 May, 2026.

InnovationAus Awards for Excellence – Highlights Australian innovators driving change through science, technology and research.
2026 submission dates not yet confirmed

Health and Medical Research Awards (Research Australia) – Celebrates excellence and impact in health and medical research, innovation and collaboration.
Submissions close 4 May 2026

Women in leadership awards

Women Leading Tech Awards– Recognises women driving innovation and leadership in technology, digital health and business.
2026 submissions now closed

Women in Business Awards – Celebrates women leading and transforming their industries through excellence and innovation.
2026 submission dates not yet confirmed

State and regional awards

Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Business Awards – Recognises outstanding businesses contributing to Brisbane’s growth and community wellbeing.
2026 submission dates not yet confirmed

NSW Health Awards – Recognises innovation and excellence within the NSW Health system, improving patient outcomes and workforce wellbeing.
2026 submission dates not yet confirmed

NSW Business Awards (Business NSW) – Celebrates exceptional business performance across NSW, including health and community organisations.
2026 entries open 4 May 2026. 

Queensland Small Business Friendly Program Awards (QSBC) – Acknowledges small businesses contributing to Queensland’s local economies and communities.
2026 submissions close 29 April 2026.

Queensland Training Awards – Highlights excellence in training and workforce development, including healthcare employers.
2026 submissions are now closed.

Victorian Public Healthcare Awards – Honours excellence and innovation across Victoria’s public health system.
2026 are now open. Entries close 22 May 2026.

South Australian Health Awards – Celebrates outstanding contributions to healthcare delivery, safety and innovation across South Australia.
2026 submission dates not yet confirmed

SA Premier’s Business and Export Awards – Recognises businesses demonstrating excellence in export, innovation and community impact.
2026 submission dates not yet confirmed

WA Health Excellence Awards – Highlights projects improving patient care, safety and workforce innovation in Western Australia.
2026 submission dates not yet confirmed

Tasmanian Health Service Awards – Recognises excellence in clinical and community health services across Tasmania.
2026 submission dates not yet confirmed

NT Health Professional of the Year Awards – Celebrates healthcare professionals delivering outstanding care in the Northern Territory.
2026 nominations open May.

ACT Chief Minister’s Pearcey Award for Entrepreneurship – Recognises innovation and entrepreneurship, including advances in digital health and medtech.
Nominations are welcome at any time.

Why awards matter for healthcare leaders:

Running a healthcare business today means being both clinician and CEO, balancing patient care with strategy, growth, and leadership. Amid all that pressure, entering an award might sound like a nice-to-have. But in reality, it’s one of the most powerful credibility tools a health business can use.

Awards don’t just recognise success. They signal trust, professionalism and progress to the people who matter most: patients, partners and funders.

In an industry built on reputation, that validation can be transformative.

How recognition supports growth:

Boost team alignment and strengthen culture and retention 

A win isn’t just for the founder or leadership team. It’s for every clinician, nurse, and receptionist who makes the business run. Recognition reminds your team that their work has meaning, helping build morale and alignment around purpose.

Build trust and authority 

Award recognition is third-party proof that your business delivers measurable impact. It tells patients that your service is safe and high-quality, investors that your model is scalable, and peers that your leadership is shaping the future of care.

Sharpen your business story 

Preparing an award submission forces reflection. You gather data, clarify your impact, and articulate your mission in a way that resonates. Even if you don’t win, the process often results in clearer messaging and stronger strategic focus.

Increase visibility with decision makers and open doors 

Award-winning organisations often attract new opportunities – from media features and partnerships to policy involvement and funding eligibility. For healthcare leaders, that visibility can fast-track credibility with decision-makers.

Position you, and your business, as an industry leader 

In healthcare, reputation is built slowly and lost quickly. Awards provide a legitimate, visible signal that your organisation meets high professional and ethical standards – something patients, insurers and policymakers value deeply.

The takeaway:

Recognition is a business strategy, not just a celebration. When used intentionally, awards amplify your reputation, attract talent and help you lead with authority.

Where to next

Recognising your achievements is part of building a resilient and respected healthcare business. Apply for awards with strategy and intent. Bookmark this list, review it each year and ensure your team is ready when opportunities open.

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