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Applications for the 2025 First Nations Exporter Award closing soon

30 May 2025
4 people stand in front of the Australian Export Awards

First Nations businesses can apply for a new Australian Export Award recognising outstanding international success.

Applications for the 63rd Australian Export Awards close on 13 June 2025. Now is the time for First Nations businesses to receive recognition for their outstanding international success, by applying for the new award category – the First Nations Exporter award. 

From art and fashion to tourism and engineering, First Nations businesses have been making their mark on the global stage. 

Aldridge Railway Signals, which manufactures signals and provides infrastructure to clients throughout Asia, won the Indigenous Exporter Award at the 2024 NSW Premier’s Export Awards, while Ikuntji Artists, who’s vibrant textiles and prints have graced exhibitions, fashion shows and collaborations around the world, won the coveted 2024 Northern Territory’s Exporter of the Year award. 

First Nations businesses in tourism related industries employed almost 7,00 workers and generated nearly $1 billion in turnover, in 2023-24. In that same year, First Nations goods exporters generated over $670 million in turnover, which continues to grow.

The opportunities are real, and the introduction of the First Nations Exporter Award at the 63rd Australian Export Awards is a positive step in providing recognition to indigenous businesses with international customers.

First Nations businesses are also encouraged to apply in any of the existing Australian Export Award categories they may be eligible for, such as Agribusiness Food and Beverages; Creative Industries; Regional Exporter; and Technologies, among others.   

Run by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), the Australian Export Awards is Australia’s longest running export awards program. State and territory winners will be announced from August to October, with the national winners named at the National Ceremony on 26 November 2025 at Parliament House, Canberra.

First Nations Application Workshop 

If you missed the Application Workshop, check out this video to discover why you should apply, hear from some of the judges or learn more about how Austrade can help you. 

Applications close 13 June 2025.

Awards are closing soon sign