Ethnic Business Awards for Migrant and Indigenous Entrepreneurs
The Ethnic Business Awards (EBA’s) recognise the outstanding accomplishments of Migrant and Indigenous entrepreneurs. They highlight the contribution made to Australia by these people. As Australia’s longest running business awards, these awards are the most prestigious of their kind.
Indigenous Award
The first of it’s kind. Launched in 2010 the EBA recognises excellence in business endeavours by Indigenous entrepreneurs. The award is open to businesses of all sizes and in the last decade has brought much attention to the growing number of creative, diverse and inspiring Indigenous business men and women.
Migrant Awards
The Migrant awards are open anyone born outside of Australia. There are two categories for the Migrant awards.
Medium to Large Migrant Business Category (turnover greater than $10 million per annum)
Small Migrant Business Category (turnover less than $10 million per annum)
About the Awards
The Awards attact high quality business entries from a diverse group of nationalities now residing in Australia and across all industries. In hosting the Ethnic Business Awards our vision is:-
To recognise and reward the contributions of migrant and Indigenous Australians to business, and the economy.
To highlight the collective migrant and Indigenous spirit in Australia and celebrate the diversity of our nation.
To provide role models who encourage other migrants and Indigenous communities to emulate these successful business role models.
To highlight Australia as a key destination to create and sustain business across all sectors of industry, regardless of race, colour, creed, religious, economic or social differences.
To recognise the contribution of key government and corporate entities in supporting the migrant journey and Indigenous business endeavours.
To create understanding and resonate national harmony by highlighting the positive aspects and impact of multicultural Australia.
Contestants are judged on the basis of:
Hardship endured
Financial and social obstacles overcome
The viability and sustainability of the business they have created
The ingenuity and originality of their business
Their contribution to Australia and their communities
Our Story
Founded in 1988 by Joseph Assaf AO, the Ethnic Business Awards are the most prestigious business awards in Australia specifically for Migrants and Indigenous Australians. Being a migrant himself, Joseph, a Lebanese born Australian, who has been dubbed the “father of multiculturalism” in Australia, launched the awards with an aim to “recognise and reward the contributions of migrants to the Australian economy.” In 2010, the “Indigenous in Business” category was created to recognise the “descendants of those first Australians – the traditional owners of the land.”
The awards have seen in excess of 21,000 nominations resulting in 247 Finalists and 94 Winners hailing from more than 100 countries of origin and covering every state and territory in Australia.
In 2019 we proudly became a not for profit foundation, a move which should cement the future of the awards for many, many years to come.
The Main Event
There’s nothing quite like it. These awards are different to others. They inspire and humble the audience. What makes them unique is the stories of our 12 finalists which are shared on the night. The room is filled with dignitaries, politicians, ambassadors, heads of business and industry, judges, finalists and friends of the awards. The annually held Ethnic Business Awards are televised nationally to every State and Territory across Australia, and are the country’s longest running business award on television, specifically SBS, NITV, Aurora Community Channel. We also stream the awards on Facebook live to all corners of the globe.
Meet the Judges
The judges for the EBA’s are as follows:- General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, AC (MIL), CVO, MC (Retd), Adam Goodes, Eve Crestani, Joseph Healy & Dr Stephen Jiggins AM, CF.
Combined they represent business, sport and government and all are highly respected and esteemed.
“When I found out about the EBA awards I looked at previous winners and their stories and thought, this is a great opportunity to showcase diversity and inclusion within the Australian Market.”
—Steven Fordham of Blackrock Industries
Indigenous in Business Finalist 2019 & 2022 and 7News Young Achiever of the Year in 2020