How to enter
Welcome to Pause Awards
The Pause Awards acknowledge the most ambitious businesses that have successfully executed their groundbreaking ideas in the market, and in some cases, have also resolved significant societal issues. Now in its sixth year, the competition attracts a diverse range of corporates, startups and emerging companies. With a total of 46 categories, the awards encompass five key aspects of a business: Culture, Excellence, Growth, Good and Operators.
Visit FAQs for general questions, check last year’s winners, your incredible judges and if still on the fence read Why Pause Awards.
Entering process
We’re thrilled that you’re considering entering and we’ve made the process simple and lightning fast for your convenience. Here’s how it works:
- Select your categories to register an account. Pay upfront or anytime during the process to catch the best rates. You can save it in-progress and copy answers.
- Each winner will receive a stunning public profile on our website under the Winners and Pause Index. To set up your profile and announce you as a winner, we’ll need to collect additional information. We’ll send you a form when Finalists are announced.
- Finalists will be first offered tickets to attend the Pause Awards Night & Afterparty on 23 October. Tickets will then be opened to the public until sold out.
- Winners will be announced at the Awards Night and you’ll have the opportunity to purchase the awards trophy the very next day.
- Photos and videos from the event will be available within two weeks after the event.
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Most asked questions
Privacy & Security
Your application and business information is collected for private and internal use only. Rest assured that private information will never be published publicly, or shared with anyone.
Payment
Entry payment is at the very end of the process. However, you can quickly select categories and pay for them upfront to secure the best prices.
Submission
You can edit your answers even after making payment right up until the final deadline. To speed up your entries, you can duplicate the same answer from one category (Copy from application) to enter into different and then individually tweak them to suit that category objective.
Entry Bundles & Deals
Thinking of entering multiple categories? We have specific bundles for 5, 10, and 15 entries. Please read below. If bundles don’t apply automatically, please get in touch.
If you take three wins, we’ll offer a complimentary trophy for the third pack.
Champion and Diamond Awards categories are automatically considered without nomination and receive a free trophy.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We wish you the best of luck in the Pause Awards!
If you need, you can find our terms and conditions here.
Awarding real people
that do real things™
Important dates
All entries must be submitted by midnight on the night of each deadline day.
Entry Dates
2023 Entries Open
Wednesday 17 May ‘23
Launch Entries Deadline
Friday 19 May ‘23
Early Entries Deadline
Friday 16 Jun ‘23
Standard Entries Deadline
Friday 18 Aug ‘23
Late Entries Deadline
Friday 1 Sep ‘23
Extended Entries Deadline
Friday 15 Sep ‘23
Public Voting
Public Voting Opens
Monday 21 Sep ‘23
Public Voting Deadline
Friday 20 Oct ‘23
Judging
1st Round Judging
Monday 21 Sep ‘23
2nd Round Judging
Monday 24 Oct ‘23
Announcements
Finalist Notification
Monday 30 Oct ‘23
Winners Announced
Pause Awards Night on 4 Dec ’23
Pause Awards Night tickets on sale
Monday 30 Oct ‘23
Categories
With 45 categories spanning five Category Tracks, including 11 new categories, we strive to recognise excellence in all aspects of business.
In 2023, we’re thrilled to introduce two new award levels – the Diamond and Champion Awards. The Diamond Award represents the best-in-show, while the Champion Award goes to the best in the Category Track. Both awards do not require nominations, as all winners will automatically be considered.
To increase your chances of winning, we recommend providing detailed and focused answers in your entry submission. Judges will only refer to the written entries results and will not conduct additional research or rely on public knowledge.
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Culture06
Creating an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture is essential for success and growth. Entries should demonstrate how this transformation has been achieved across core business functions, that showcase expertise, leadership, and vision in delivering a positive impact and growth for the business, staff, stakeholders and customers.
Culture champion (new)
For the best in Culture Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have created a thriving culture.
WHO: The top winners from all categories in Culture.
WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.
Diverse Co.
For nurturing an inclusive environment. This award recognises a workplace that has successfully and intentionally encouraged innovation among diverse employees.
WHO: Diversity and inclusion managers, HR professionals, company founders, team leads, and talent acquisition specialists.
WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate a purposeful, innovative approach to nurturing an inclusive environment and empowering diverse employees.
Large team culture
For fostering innovation. This award recognises a workplace with over 1000+ employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation.
WHO: CEOs, CTOs, COOs, HR directors, and team leads in organisations with 1000+ employees.
WHAT: Judges seek evidence of a workplace that has excelled at fostering a culture of innovation, surpassing peers in the large team cohort.
Medium team culture
For fostering innovation. This award recognises a workplace with 21-999 employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation.
WHO: CEOs, CTOs, COOs, HR directors, and team leads in organisations with 21-999 employees.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight the company’s success in fostering a culture of innovation that outperforms others within the medium team cohort.
Small team culture
For fostering innovation. This award recognises a workplace with less than 20 employees that has outpaced their cohort in fostering a culture of innovation
WHO: CEOs, CTOs, COOs, HR directors, and team leads in organisations with less than 20 employees.
WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate exceptional success in fostering a culture of innovation, outpacing their small team cohort.
Work sweet work
For a great workplace culture. This award recognises a company that has managed to improve or attain outstanding levels of employee engagement, retention and satisfaction.
WHO: HR directors, employee engagement managers, company founders, and team leads.
WHAT: Judges will assess entries that show significant improvement or attainment of outstanding levels of employee engagement, retention, and satisfaction. -
Excellence12
Recognising outstanding business success in the marketplace, regardless of company size, and celebrating the impact made on the industry. Entries should showcase exceptional expertise, leadership and vision in the execution of business strategies that have left a significant impression.
Company of the Year
For the best company. This award recognises a company leadership, success, ambition to excel against all odds with the solid future development plans.
WHO: CEOs, COOs, CTOs, company founders, and general managers.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to demonstrate exceptional leadership, success, ambition to excel, and solid plans for future development.
Defiant ones
For new tech breakthroughs. This award recognises a company that defines the future of the industry they play in.
WHO: CEOs, CTOs, company founders, product managers, and innovation leads.
WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase groundbreaking technology that redefines the industry they operate in.
Excellence champion (new)
For the best in Excellence Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have executed to a highest standard.
WHO: The top winners from all categories in Excellence.
WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.
Hall of fame
For a lifetime achievement. This award recognises a game-changer who paved the way by breaking new grounds and inventing new categories.
WHO: Judging Board will privately nominate and pick the winner.
WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner to award for their lifetime achievement.
Hammer
For nailing it. This award recognises a company’s success – on their own terms – in the market.
WHO: CEOs, COOs, company founders, sales directors and market strategists.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight the company’s unique success in the market on their own terms.
I wish I’d done that
For sheer brilliance. This award recognises a company’s simple and clever idea in a niche market.
WHO: Company founders, CEOs, CTOs, product managers and niche market strategists.
WHAT: Judges will assess entries that showcase a simple, clever, and innovative idea within a niche market.
New & first
For new and First Peoples. This award recognises a successful company with its founders from indigenous, migrant or ethnic heritage in Australia.
WHO: Indigenous, migrant, or ethnic heritage founders, CEOs, company founders and entrepreneurs.
WHAT: Judges seek entries from successful companies led by founders from diverse backgrounds, making an impact in Australia.
On the rise
For early stage mavericks. This award recognises an early stage startup that has done well in its first three years.
WHO: Early-stage startup founders, CEOs, CTOs, and entrepreneurs.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to demonstrate significant success within the first three years of operation.
Prodigy
For being exceptional. This award recognises an under 30 year old person with exceptional qualities or abilities.
WHO: Under-30 entrepreneurs, CEOs, CTOs, COOs and innovators.
WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase exceptional qualities or abilities of individuals under 30 years old.
Singularity (new)
For an artificial intelligence business. This award recognises a company for developing ai services or those who have successfully integrated ai in their systems to deliver new products and services.
WHO: AI company founders, CEOs, CTOs and product managers.
WHAT: Judges are looking for companies developing AI services or successfully integrating AI into their systems to deliver new products and services.
Trendsetter (new)
For influencer led business. This award recognises a person that has built their own business or a product through their followers’ reach in social media.
WHO: Social media influencers, content creators, entrepreneurs, and company founders.
WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate successful businesses or products built through the reach of their social media followers.
Women in business
For levelling the playing field. This award recognises a successful female leader and entrepreneur who is paving the way forward for the future generations.
WHO: Female entrepreneurs, CEOs, company founders and business leaders.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight the achievements of successful female leaders paving the way for future generations. -
Good06
Showcase a company’s commitment to their purpose and mission to create a positive impact on the environment, people and community. The entries should demonstrate ideas intended to change the world; work which sets out to positively impact ingrained gender inequality, social imbalance or injustice.
B-Good
For a good business. This award recognises a company that has done well to change our economic system to positively impact all stakeholders through their commercial practice.
WHO: CEOs, company founders, corporate social responsibility managers and sustainability directors.
WHAT: Judges seek entries that demonstrate positive impact on stakeholders through ethical and sustainable commercial practices.
Circular Pioneer
For making a real difference. This award category recognises a company that is pioneering their circular efforts.
WHO: CEOs, company founders, sustainability directors, environmental managers and circular economy strategists.
WHAT: Judges are looking for companies that excel in implementing and pioneering circular economy efforts.
Fame for good (new)
For a celebrity driven social impact. This award recognises a company that broke into the market by a famous person using its fame for the right cause and purpose.
WHO: Celebrity-founded companies, CEOs, social impact leads and philanthropic entrepreneurs.
WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate the effective use of fame for driving social impact and purpose.
Going green
For delivering impact at scale. This award recognises a company that is actively leading and delivering impact and scale through sustainable efforts in clean energy, climate change, healthy environment, social and economic justice etc.
WHO: CEOs, COOs, company founders, sustainability directors and environmental managers.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase leadership in sustainable efforts in clean energy, climate change, healthy environments, social, and economic justice.
Good champion (new)
For the best in Good Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed great impact in society.
WHO: The top winners from all categories in Good.
WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.
You’ve got ethics
For leadership in environmental social governance. This award category recognises a company that is promoting accountability, good governance, leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility and solving societal problems.
WHO: CEOs, COOs, company founders, CSR managers and sustainability directors.
WHAT: Judges seek entries that highlight leadership in environmental social governance, accountability, and solving societal problems. -
Growth07
Focusing on the productivity and elegance of execution to deliver impactful ideas to a market with the power to cut through the noise. Entries should demonstrate how the innovation and optimisation of the customer journey led to scaled consumer engagement and commercial success.
Design first
For design led products. This award recognises a company that is using design to drive product innovation with the entire company onboard.
WHO: CEOs,CTOs, company founders, design leads and product managers.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase how design drives product innovation within the company.
Growth champion (new)
For the best in Growth Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed incredible success.
WHO: The top winners from all categories in Growth.
WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.
Movement (new)
For an event experience. This award recognises a company that has delivered an innovative event, conference, campaign or brand activation that emotionally moved people, delivered great social impact or vent viral.
WHO: Event organisers, conference planners, marketing directors and brand activation leads.
WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate innovative events or campaigns that have emotionally moved people, created significant social impact, or went viral.
New model (new)
For the new business model. This award recognises a company that has developed an elegant business model which is eating up the market itself.
WHO: CEOs, company founders, COOs, business strategists and innovation leads.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight an elegant business model that is transforming the market.
Out of the garage
For scaling globally. This award recognises a company’s global growth, expansion, and success.
WHO: Company founders, CEOs, CTOs and international expansion leads.
WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase successful global growth, expansion and impact.
Pioneer (new)
For the first to market. This award recognises a company that has broken into the market with a new product line never seen before, creating a new category.
WHO: CEOs, CTOs, company founders, product managers and innovation leads.
WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate groundbreaking, first-to-market product lines that created a new category.
Wildfire
For conquering a marketplace. This award recognises a company that has made a significant impact on the marketplace in the shortest amount of time.
WHO: CEOs, company founders, market strategists and sales directors.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to highlight significant, rapid impact on the marketplace. -
Operators14
Elevating every voice in the ecosystem is crucial for the collective success and growth of the industry. The entries should demonstrate ingenuity which leads to the creation of new products and services, through leadership, by elevating the internal culture and communities they serve.
Angel
For early stage support. This award recognises an angel investor that has garnered a portfolio of companies and has a good track record of helping founders succeed.
WHO: Angel investors, venture capitalists and early-stage startup mentors.
WHAT: This is a free entry and will be evaluated by the public as the People’s Choice award.
C-Suite
For the best leadership. This award recognises the highest-ranking executive that has impeccable leadership, management and interpersonal skills.
WHO: CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, COOs and executive leaders.
WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate impeccable leadership, management and interpersonal skills.
Down under (new)
For launching in the Australian market. This award recognises an international company who is looking to expand into the Australian market and build recognition in the local ecosystem.
WHO: International company founders, CEOs, market entry strategists and business development leads.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase successful expansion into the Australian market and local ecosystem recognition.
Ecosystem star
For being the community champ. This award recognises a person for their tireless energy in organising, engaging and advocating to their community, business or network.
WHO: Community managers, ecosystem leaders, network builders and advocacy leads.
WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that highlight tireless energy in organising, engaging, and advocating for their communities, businesses or networks.
Future builder
For grit to start a new venture. This award recognises a founder at any level and life stage who has decided to start jumping the hoops of their own business.
WHO: Startup founders, entrepreneurs, and business owners at any level or life stage.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to showcase the grit and determination required to start and grow a new venture.
Game changer (new)
For an elite athlete turned entrepreneur. This award recognises an athlete for starting their side hustle and turning it into a small empire.
WHO: Elite athletes turned entrepreneurs, company founders and CEOs.
WHAT: Judges will evaluate entries that demonstrate successful side hustles turned into thriving businesses.
Growth hacker (new)
For the growth marketing experts. This award recognises a marketing specialist focused on the rapid growth of a company through data mining and experimentation.
WHO: Growth marketing experts, data analysts and digital marketing specialists.
WHAT: Judges seek entries that showcase rapid company growth through data mining and experimentation.
Hottest hub
For the best community. This award recognises a co-working space that provides boutique experience, world class facilities with community management.
WHO: Co-working space operators, community managers and facility managers.
WHAT: Judges will assess entries that demonstrate boutique experiences, world-class facilities and exceptional community management.
Launch pad
For activating the support systems. This award recognises an accelerator or incubator with a good reputation in providing the best startup program and industry connections.
WHO: Accelerator and incubator managers, program directors and startup mentors.
WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that showcase a strong reputation in providing the best startup programs and industry connections.
Mind&Body (new)
For the best wellness provider. This award recognises a business that provides self-care services or apps, retreats, getaways, gyms, clubs, tiny house stays and healthy retailers.
WHO: Wellness service providers, app developers, retreat organisers, gym owners and healthy retailers.
WHAT: Judges expect entries to demonstrate excellence in providing self-care services, products or experiences that promote well-being.
Operators champion (new)
For the best in Operators Category Track. This award recognises the best entry out of all winning entries in the track that have displayed impeccable leadership.
WHO: The top winners from all categories in Operators.
WHAT: Judges are looking for the sole winner that can proudly represent the track demonstrating exceptional leadership, results and impact in their field.
Silent achiever
For those that do the heavy lifting. This award recognises a person that has exceeded expectations, executed and delivered flawlessly projects from the backseat.
WHO: Project managers, team leads, operations managers and product managers.
WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that demonstrate exceeding expectations and flawless execution of projects from a behind-the-scenes role.
TopCoder (new)
For the cleanest code. This award recognises a developer with excellent technical skills, writing a clean code and being a team player.
WHO: Developers, software engineers and technical leads.
WHAT: Judges are looking for entries that showcase excellent technical skills, clean code writing and strong teamwork abilities.
Venture cap
For backing the future business. This award recognises a VC firm with a portfolio of companies that have made a significant contribution to the growth and success of the AU economy.
WHO: Venture capital firms, investment managers and portfolio managers.
WHAT: This is a free entry and will be evaluated by the public as the People’s Choice award.
What’s new
We’ve listened to your feedback and have revamped our awards program to make it more dynamic, inclusive and rewarding.
Here’s a quick rundown of the exciting changes we’ve introduced this year:
Expanded Award Levels
We’ve introduced two new award levels – Champion and Diamond, extending our recognition platform to seven levels.
Investable Score™
A fresh addition to our judging criteria, offering up to a $10M evaluation.
Free Nominations
VC and Angel categories are now free to nominate, shifting the power to the public vote.
Diverse Judges
90% new judges from leading Australian companies, from the likes of Mastercard, Airtasker, Google, Medibank, DEPT®, AWS, Bookings.com, Microsoft, Birchal join our panel.
New Ambassador Team
We’re welcoming an all-star team of industry leaders as our ambassadors, starting with Paul Bassat, Co-founder of SEEK and Squarepeg.
New Categories
We’ve added 11 new categories, spotlighting fields like import, athletes, Ai, wellness, social good influencers and Growth Hacker.
Enhanced Platform
Our slick new awards platform offers a smoother experience for entering and judging
Tailored Questions
Specific categories now come with their own set of questions, accompanied by answer guidance
Flexible Entries
You can now edit in-progress entries, duplicate answers, and pay and submit at your convenience
Pause ecosystem grows
to $412 Billion of participants in 2022! This is set to be diminished by this year already.
Referral Discounts
We’re giving back to our community with discounts for referrals and past winners.
New Trophy Design
Champion and Diamond winners will receive a stunning new trophy design, free of charge!
Enhanced Winner Packs
Our Starter and Pro winner packs now come with added benefits.
We’re thrilled to share these enhancements with you and look forward to an unforgettable year celebrating business excellence. Dive in and explore!
Entry fees
We have different rates throughout to help you make the most of the competition.
Launch Entry until Friday 19 May ‘23
$295 +gst per entry
Early Entry until 16 Jun ’23
$395 +gst per entry
Standard Entry until Friday 18 Aug ‘23
$445 +gst per entry
Late Entry until Friday 1 Sep ‘23
$495 +gst per entry
Once you’ve paid the entry fee for Pause Awards, you’ve officially entered the competition. Please note that entry fees are non-refundable, so we advise considering your decision carefully before making a payment.
Don’t forget: You can pay for your entries upfront, without submitting an application to catch the best rates, and edit your entry in-progress up until the final deadline.
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Why pay for award entry?
Paying for a Pause Award entry allows your work to be evaluated by a largest senior panel of industry professionals in Australia, which can lead to recognition and exposure in your field. Winning or even just participating can enhance your reputation, attract potential clients or employers, and open up networking opportunities.
Furthermore, the fees are used to cover the costs associated with running and organising the awards, including judging, promotion and the ceremony. We’re an independent, non bias, industry driven awarding only for the real merit.
You can also check Why Enter page.
If you’re fortunate enough to win, you have the option to purchase the Pause Awards Trophy and attend the Pause Awards Night. However, these are entirely optional. We understand that everyone’s circumstances are unique, and we want to provide flexibility in how winners choose to celebrate their achievements.
Entry bundles and deals
Are you planning on entering into multiple categories? If you do, the pricing will adjust instantly when you select a specific number of categories.
Invite* a friend or company to enter and get 20% off entries.
Past winners get 10% off entries.
Get $10 off an entry when you subscribe to our newsletter.
1 Free
2 Free
3 Free
Trophy deal: if your company wins three awards within a year, the third trophy is free of charge!
We understand that financial constraints can be a challenge, and if you can’t afford the trophy fees for your company size, feel free to get in touch with us. We can discuss your options, and you may be eligible for a reduced price at the time of notification.
To get your discount code or if you have issues, please email us.
* Valid only after referral enters and pays.
Criteria
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Before you enter, make sure you check the following criteria.
- There are five Category Tracks with 45 categories, including 11 new categories.
- Entries must be for achievements between 1 July 2022 and 1 June 2023.
- Early Entry deadline is 16 Jun ’23 (11:59pm AEST), Standard Entry deadline is 18 Aug ’23 (11:59pm AEST), and Late Entry deadline is 1 Sep ’23 (11:59pm AEST).
- Entry fees range from $295 for an Early Entry to $495 for a Late Entry.
- Judges will only refer to written entries and will not conduct additional research.
- Entrants can submit entries into multiple categories with the same or different projects.
- Individual entries must have been employed for at least one year prior to entering and must use their personal name, not their company’s name.
- If you nominate an individual or a company, you must enter as them and provide all necessary information for website profile creation and promotion.
- There is no set number of winners per category. The Judging Board may award a Grand Prix for best in class. People’s Choice Award is separate and will include all entrants.
- All sections of the entry questions must be completed to be judged. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
- If you use ChatGPT to write your entry, please be aware that judges are looking for detailed information and specific results, not well written applications.
- If you are entering as an individual, please provide your personal biography and information related to you, not your company.
- Finalists will be announced on 23 October. Profile setting questions and photos must be submitted after this date and before Pause Awards Night.
- If you plan on being away from the office or going on holiday when ordering trophies, please make sure to inform us so we can ensure timely delivery or make alternative arrangements.
- The awards ceremony will be held on 4 Dec ’23 at BOND Melbourne, unless otherwise confirmed.
Judging criteria
During the judging process, four key criteria will be taken into account and assigned weightings as follows:
20%
30%
40%
10%
In the first round of judging, each judge will assign separate scores for all three segments per entry, and the average score will be taken as the final score. Judges will also be required to recuse themselves from voting on their own company. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
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What is Investable Score™ ?
Investable Score™ is a new addition to the judging criteria, making judgevesting a real thing! If you’re looking to raise capital or just want to be evaluated by a team of industry experts, your peers, you can get this score with the Pro Winner Pack.
Disclosure: Investable Score™ is by no means a financial valuation, rather an indication if an industry professional feels compelled to invest after assessing an entry and by scoring it from zero to 10 points/$M.
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Do you have Public Voting?
Public Voting is incredibly popular and competitive, and we’re always excited to see the results. However, please note that there can only be one winner from the Public Voting category, so make sure you bring your best game and aim to dominate!
Eligibility
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See if you and your company are eligible to enter.
- Entries are open to individuals and companies in Australia.
- Achievements and projects must have taken place between 1 July 2022 to 1 June 2023.
- Projects in development with no results should not enter.
- Entry must have been executed in the marketplace prior to submission.
- National companies can apply multiple times with different projects.
- Partners and sponsors can enter awards. There will be no favours.
- Judges will need to recuse themselves from voting on their own company or be disqualified.
- Maximum one judge from the same company is allowed.
- Blockchain, government, NGOs and agencies are welcome to enter.
- All fees are in AUD and non-refundable.
- Awards are not industry-specific.
Entries now open
Pause Awards is more than just an award. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, to innovate, and to stand alongside past winners who dared to make a difference.
Enter now
