Step 1: Entry assessment

Preliminary judging will be based on your entry submission. All questions will contribute to your score, so it is vital that you answer all questions and address the entry guidelines and criteria.

Step 2: Short-listed entrants

The most outstanding businesses in every category and in every state and territory will progress to a short-list. If your business is successful in progressing to this stage, you will be contacted by phone to arrange a site visit. You will also be asked to provide verification of your financial data from your accountant.

Step 3: Site visits

If your business is short-listed in any of the five Award categories, you will be asked to participate in a site visit. This site visit will be held at a mutually convenient time for your business and the judges. All site visits will be conducted 10 May - 18 June 2010 and will take a maximum of two hours, with judges asking a set of questions. The business principals and management should be present. If you have been short listed in more than one category, the site visits may be combined.

Step 4: Finalists announced

Following the site visits, the finalists will be announced for each of the five Award categories in every State and Territory.

Step 5: Winners announced

Winners will be announced at Award presentation dinners, to be held in each State and Territory.

Step 6: National judging interview

State/Territory category winners become National Finalists. National Finalists will travel to Sydney for a 30 minute interview attended by up to two representatives of your business on 19 August 2010.

Step 7: National Winners announced

National Category Winners and the 2010 Telstra Australian Business of the Year will be announced at the National Presentation Gala Dinner in Sydney on 20 August 2010.