Companies who want to apply must meet the following criteria:

• Revenue greater than AUD $100million in the most recent year of business
• Australian-owned private company; OR
• Foreign-owned, Australian-based (global) headquarters; private company where management team resides in Australia; OR
• Australian-owned portfolio company controlled by Australian venture capital and Australian private equity firms (greater than 50%); OR
• Australian-owned public company with fewer than 50% of their shares or units traded
• Been in operation for more than three years with financial documentation

The following companies are ineligible:

• Australian-owned public companies with more than 50% of their shares or units traded;
• Credit unions, banks, mutual or co-operative insurance companies;
• Co-operatives
• Subsidiaries of a foreign owned parent where GLOBAL HQ or management is NOT located in Australia;
• Charities and not-for-profit;
• Government/public sector agencies.
• Partnerships

Additionally, all companies will be subject to independence review and verification. For questions concerning eligibility, please contact aubestmanaged@deloitte.com.au. 

New applicants must go through a two-phase application process.

• Step 1: Register for the program (Phase 1) Register by completing the Phase 1 online application form. All companies deemed eligible are then invited to complete a further, more detailed submission.
• Step 2: Complete your submission (Phase 2) Eligible companies will progress to Phase 2 and take part in a Best Managed Companies executive team lab focussed on the growth of your business, facilitated by our trained coaches.

The lab will take a deep dive into the company, providing important insight and allowing the judges to assess them on the Best Managed Companies standards – known as the ‘Four Pillars’. The Best Managed lab draws out the key information needed for eligible companies to complete the Phase 2 of the online application.

• Step 3: Review of your submission Submissions are reviewed by coaches and an independent judging panel.
• Step 4: Awarding Winners will be announced at the annual Symposium and Award celebration event in March 2025.

Our Best Managed Companies program does more than recognise success – it sets a foundation for even more of it.

Benefits for all applicants

• 3-hour lab facilitated by Deloitte experts provided for executive team (at no charge) to dig deep into program pillars, gain a 360  degree view of your business and focus on the growth of your business where you will discover where your strengths and opportunities lie.
• Benchmark your business against some of the best in your industry
• Gain an independent assessment of your business by private business experts
• Dedicated coach throughout the program, including insights on company’s strategy and performance

• Increased market visibility and credibility through exclusive use of Best Managed Companies brand, both nationally and globally 
• Access to our exclusive alumni community
• Rich networking opportunities among a global community of over 1300 private companies with other business leaders and sponsors at exclusive events throughout the year
• Enhance your market visibility and credibility by promoting your success and using the Best Managed Companies designation and brand 
• National, regional, and social media exposure
• Professional development through year-round learning opportunities
• Strengthened ability to attract and retain top talent through use of trusted Best Managed credential
• Celebration of the entire company’s efforts at annual winners’ event and invitations to local and global events.
  

Registrations

Is my company guaranteed a place to participate in the Best Managed Program for 2024?
Your phase one application will be reviewed by Deloitte to determine eligibility and in consultation with our co-sponsors (where appropriate) we will confirm with you soon after registration. As a global organisation, Deloitte must adhere to strict independence requirements.

Is there a deadline to apply?

Registrations have now closed for our 2024 program.

Lab Sessions

How does the lab coaching process work?
Deloitte Partner coaches are assigned to assist your company with the application process, including facilitating a 3-hour lab (workshop). The lab is structured to deep dive into the four key pillars of the global best managed companies program framework being 1) strategy, 2) culture & commitment, 3) capabilities & innovation and 4) governance & financials.  During the lab coaches will draw out your company’s strengths and identify any areas for further improvement, against the key global benchmarks in each of these pillars.

Do I need to prepare anything for the lab?
No formal preparation for the lab is required by your company.

Who is required to be present in the lab?
The most appropriate attendees should be your company key decision makers who understand the business strategy, operations and finance. Therefore, we recommend CEOs, CFOs, CHRO’s, COOs, CSOs, MDs and CMOs.

Who attends the labs from Deloitte?
The lab will involve your assigned Deloitte Partner Coach, your Deloitte Lead Client Service Partner (if applicable), a facilitator and if beneficial an additional SME expert.

What happens after the lab?
We provide your company with summarised notes. This information will assist your company in completing your phase two submission for final assessment. The final application is submitted online using your Best Managed Companies registered login.

Application submission

How long does the online submission take to complete?
Phase one will take 20-30 minutes.  Phase two will take approximately 2 hours to complete.

What else is required?
The award submission requires your logo files, audited financial statements and any other voluntary relevant documentations to support your submission.

Can I save my information and come back to complete my online application at a later stage?
Yes, an applicant can save and return to complete an application by logging into their profile via the registration link.

Can I share access to the portal to complete the submission?
No, we ask that the questions be completed by one contact in your company who is able to consolidate the required input for each of the questions. We often see the submission completed by a Business Development or Marketing contact.

What is the privacy policy regarding the handling of information?
More information about how Deloitte will handle your personal information, how you can lodge a complaint, how you can contact us, and how you may access and seek correction of your information is set out in our Privacy Policy.
For any other enquiries you can contact the privacy review team at privacy@deloitte.com.au.

What happens after my Best Managed Company application is submitted online?
You will receive an automated confirmation when it has been successfully submitted. Your submission will be sent to our independent Judges for review. The Judges will nominate your company as Best Managed if you meet the Global benchmark to be deemed a Best Managed Company. You will be notified before the Symposium & Gala event of the outcome.

What happens if my application for Best Managed Company is not successful?
One of the most important aspects of the Best Managed Companies program is the opportunity that the program provides for your company to be part of a global community of like-minded companies that are focused on continuous improvement. The award, while beneficial, is one element of a very comprehensive long-running program.

Australia’s Best Managed Companies program aims to inspire, celebrate and build a community of private businesses that are creating a better future. A leading business awards program, recognising excellence in private Australian-owned companies, it celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit, determination and innovation of the private business community.

The following four commitments illustrate the programme’s core expectations of winning companies:

 1. Integrity

As a Best Managed company, we will act lawfully, honestly, ethically and with integrity towards our customers, employees, vendors and stakeholders.

Best Managed companies are truthful and honest about the business information provided to the Best Managed program:

• Best Managed companies must abide by Australian law
• Best Managed candidates will not exert undue influence upon program coaches, sponsors, or judges
• Best Managed companies must update any change in business affecting their designation (ownership, financial, legal) when re-qualifying year over year

Treat interactions with program sponsors, partners and their staff with the same honesty and integrity that you would apply within your own organisation.

2. Foster diversity, equity and inclusion

All Best Managed companies have a role to play in helping Australia on the path to a more inclusive environment. As a member of this community, we foster a culture and working environment where people treat each other with respect, courtesy and fairness, promoting equal opportunity for all.

• Actively build an anti-racist capability to start making intentional changes within your organisation
• Embed gender and diversity-smart approaches into recruitment & development, including performance management, promotion, succession and pay processes
• Create and support cultural awareness programs and learnings for all employees
• Implement employee assistance programs related to diversity, equity inclusion and accessibility so employees can feel comfortable and bring their whole selves to work
• Provide DE&I training for all members of the organisation
• Provide flexible and accessible work arrangements and remote work opportunities where applicable

3. Commitment to upholding the standard of the Best Managed program designation through the four pillars

As a Best Managed company, we commit to upholding quality among the four pillars (Strategy, Capabilities and Innovation, Culture and Commitment, Governance and Financials), and the program brand standards and identity.

Upholding brand standards

• The Best Managed designation represents 29 years of strong global best managed companies that are the economic engines of their countries. The brand is a result of the outstanding companies in the program and is recognised all around the world. As a Best Managed company, we agree to uphold this brand legacy and follow brand and logo guidelines, for the Australian community of Best Managed companies.
• Uphold program brand standards consistent with the four pillars (Strategy, Capabilities & Innovation, Culture & Commitment, Governance & Financials).
• Proper use of current logo by awarded entity (see ‘Logo use with affiliated companies’).
• Proper use of designation naming convention – “Australia’s Best Managed Companies”.
• Logo use permitted for duration of program year. Must be removed immediately should the company chose not to re-apply, or become ineligible.

Commitment to upholding the standard of the Best Managed program designation through the four pillars

• Continuously evolve and improve upon your strategy
• Drive a culture of innovation and productivity
• Foster a purpose-led culture
• Put your customers and employees first
• Drive year over year revenue growth through strong strategy, governance and operational efficiency

 4. Best Managed community role model

We commit to participate in the Best Managed community through program activities & events, while treating all members with dignity and respect. We also commit to be a respectable citizen within society and doing our part to build a positive future for Australia’s economy.

• Participate in Best Managed programming and events
• Act as a mentor to new members of the Best Managed community
• Engage in social media conversation with Best Managed community (#BestManaged)
• Act as a Best Managed brand ambassador, abiding by the terms under ‘Upholding brand standards’
• Contribute to Best Managed objective of ‘making all businesses better’ by participating in research (i.e., surveys, case studies), panels and speaking opportunities

These terms and conditions apply to the Best Managed Companies program (“Program”) provided and facilitated in Australia by Deloitte.

1. Your Information

a. You acknowledge and agree that all information provided in the Program Entry Form, or given subsequently as part of the due diligence, Applicant Lab and judging process (collectively ‘Entry Information’) is correct and up-to-date.

b. By submitting the Entry Information, you confirm that you have the authority and appropriate permission and consent from your Company and those individuals referred to in the Entry Information to provide this information to Deloitte.

c. Deloitte acknowledges that all Entry Information is provided for the purposes of determining your eligibility for receiving the Best Managed Companies certification. The Entry Information will not be disclosed by Deloitte except on a confidential basis to the Program judging panel. Your information may also be shared with third parties that provide administrative, technical or support services to Deloitte for the purposes of the Program. We will ensure that your information is protected by those third parties to the same standards that we use to protect our own information here at Deloitte.

d. You agree that Entry Information gathered during the entry process can be retained and used for benchmarking and to develop insights and trends into what makes a business a Best Managed company in the country of application.

e. As part of entering the Program, you give us permission to contact you regarding the Program and its associated activities. This may occur through electronic messaging or other forms of communication. We may, on occasion, update you with news, information and other relevant initiatives that Deloitte believes will interest you. You may unsubscribe from these communications by selecting the unsubscribe link contained within the communications or by contacting the Program team.

f. If any Personal Information is contained within the Program Entry Form, you confirm that you have collected that Personal Information in accordance with the data protection or privacy laws applicable in the country where the individual concerned is located and such individual has authorised the disclosure to and use of their Personal Information by and they have been informed of their right to access and request correction of their Personal Information. Our Privacy Policy will apply to any Personal Information provided to us which can be accessed here.

2. Best Managed Lab

a. By submitting the Entry Information, you confirm that members of your leadership team will be available to attend the Applicant Lab on a mutually agreeable date and location.

b. You acknowledge that the Applicant Lab is designed to facilitate the Program certification process and should not in any way be considered Deloitte advice or recommendation or otherwise.

c. You acknowledge that Deloitte, its member firms, related entities, partners, employees or agents shall not be responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever arising directly or indirectly in connection with you relying on insights, discussions or communications or otherwise, shared during and in connection to the Applicant Lab, or through the judging and award of the Program Certification.

3. Judging and post-application period

a. Deloitte reserves the right to:

i. conduct due diligence in relation to your Entry Information at any time. In our sole discretion, we reserve the right to disqualify you from entry or receiving or continuing to hold the Program Certification based on the results of any due diligence conducted.

ii. amend, vary, extend or discontinue the Program, including how your participation in the Program is publicised, at any time and for any reason.

iii. withdraw your Program Certification both before or after the bestowing of the award if you no longer meet the Program criteria; have not in our view provided truthful or complete answers to any of the application or requalification documents; your continuing participation in the Program presents a perceived or actual conflict of interest; or you otherwise act in a manner that could bring Deloitte and/or the Program into disrepute.

b. The decision of the external Program Judging Panel will be final and no further correspondence will be entered into.

c. You acknowledge that neither the external Program Judging Panel or Deloitte shall be responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from its decisions in relation to your participation in the program.

4. Branding and Logo

a. Once awarded, you may use the Best Managed Companies logo and associated branding on any promotional materials (including relevant websites) in alignment with the Deloitte brand guidelines. Deloitte reserves the right to request alteration or removal of the logo or other Program material at any point in time. Use of the Best Managed Companies logo excludes any right to reference or use the Deloitte name, logo or marks on any promotional material.

5. Acknowledgements

By entering the Program, you acknowledge and agree that you

a. accept these terms and conditions; and

b. provide Deloitte with a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty free and transferable licence to use and reproduce the name of the entrant (including any associated trademark or business name) and any non-financial information, photographs, videos, voice recordings, media coverage or other promotional material relating to the entrant and its directors, shareholders, employees, contractors or consultants participation in the Program for marketing purposes. You waive any claims to royalty, right or remuneration for such use and acknowledge you have the consent of any director, employee, contractor or consultant for this waiver.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.