The 2012 Telstra Australian Business Awards are now open for entries from businesses in the tourism industry. The Awards give the industry an opportunity to celebrate the best small and medium businesses that are the backbone of the Australian economy. The Awards offer entrants an increased profile and cash and prizes totalling $500,000.

One of the benefits each entrant receives is a free 70-page Business Health Check report that assesses their individual performance against international benchmarking standards, current legislation and accepted industry best practice.

Will Irving, Telstra Business Group Managing Director and Telstra Australian Business Awards Ambassador, urged small and medium businesses to get their entries in by the closing date of 2 April.

“The Business Health Check is beneficial and informative for every entrant – it helps them grow their business tomorrow by knowing where it is today,” Mr Irving said.

The 2012 Telstra Australian Business Awards have five Award categories:

1. HTC Start-Up Award – For businesses that have been operating for between one and three years and have up to 200 employees.
2. News Limited Micro-Business Award - For businesses with five or less employees.
3. MYOB Small Business Award - For businesses with more than five employees, and up to 20 employees.
4. Commonwealth Bank Medium Business Award - For businesses with more than 20 employees, and up to 200 employees.
5. Telstra Regional Award – For businesses in each state and territory located outside the metropolitan areas of the capital cities. 

Previous Tasmanian winners include Blue Skies Dining in Hobart, Bruny and Tasman Island Cruises, Tamar River Cruises and The Maria Island Walk.

To nominate or get more information about the Awards visit telstrabusinessawards.com or call 1800 262 323.