Our 2022
Awards Categories

Executive of the Year

This award recognises the defence executive that has most effectively shaped their business’ success while
supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities.
All industry executives who hold a senior position such as CEO, CFO, COO, managing director, executive
director or equivalent title are encouraged to apply

Rising Star of the Year

This award recognises the up-and-comer who has most effectively supported their business’ success while
supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities.

From the nation’s top graduates to professionals who have demonstrated a rapid career trajectory in the defence
industry, this award recognises those rising stars who have made positive contributions to the defence industry.

Professionals across all areas of the defence industry, including primes, SMEs, university or research
institutions, consultancies, industry associations or any other defence business are encouraged to participate.

Engineer & Technician of the Year

This award recognises the engineer or technician that has delivered outstanding work for their organisation or
institution while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities through
their participation in the defence industry.

It is open to any degree or trade qualified engineer or technician at any career level who has demonstrated a
commitment to excelling in the defence industry and is on a rapid career trajectory — with their work central to
the commercial success, growth or development of their organisation.

All engineers and technicians working in the industry across areas such as aerospace, civil, electrical and
electronics, mechatronic, mechanical, structural, information and combat systems and all other sectors are
encouraged to participate.

Scientist of the Year

This award recognises the scientist that has delivered outstanding work for their organisation or institution while
supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities through their participation
in the defence industry.

It is open to any degree-qualified scientist at any career level and at any age who has demonstrated a
commitment to excelling in the defence industry and is on a rapid career trajectory — with their work central to
the commercial success, growth or development of their organisation.

All scientists specialising in the development of air, land and sea vehicles, autonomous systems, cyber,
electronic warfare, human, information and communications, operations analysis, propulsion and energy,
surveillance and space, weapons systems and all other sectors are encouraged to participate.

Academic of the Year

This award recognises the academic that has delivered outstanding work for their institution while supporting the
strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities through their participation in the defence
industry.

It is open to any academic working in an Australian academic or research institution that has demonstrated a
commitment to excelling in the defence industry and is on a rapid career trajectory — with their work central to
the commercial success, growth or development of their institution and/or any aligned commercial partner
business.

All academics focused on delivering new research, products, initiatives or other developments that currently/will
support the future ADF are encouraged to participate.

Marketing/Communications Professional of the Year

This award recognises the marketing/communications professional that has delivered outstanding work for their
organisation or institution while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security
capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It is open to any marketing/communications professional at any career level and at any age who has
demonstrated a commitment to excelling in the defence industry and is on a rapid career trajectory — with their
work central to the commercial success, growth or development of their organisation.

Marketing/communications professionals working across all areas of the defence industry, including primes,
SMEs, university or research institutions, consultancies, industry associations, media or creative agencies, PR
or social media companies or any other marketing/communications or defence businesses are encouraged to
participate.

Female Defence Leader of the Year

This award recognises the female defence leader that has most effectively shaped their business’ success while
supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities.

It is open to all female defence professionals who hold a management/leadership position in a business,
organisation or institution that supports defence and the defence industry.

Female defence leaders working across all areas of the defence industry, including primes, SMEs, university or
research institutions, consultancies, industry associations or any other defence business are encouraged to
participate.

Consultant of the Year

This award recognises the defence consultancy that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and
driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national
security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all defence consulting businesses, no matter the specialisation, such as strategy, operations, supply
chain, cyber, security, analytical, professional services, graduate, IT transformations, delivery, decommissioning,
M&A, supportability modelling and other related disciplines.

All defence consulting firms are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic location/s.

Innovator of the Year

This award recognises the innovator that has most effectively shaped their business’ success while supporting
the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities.

All types of innovation will be considered, whether related to service excellence, product, systems and platform
development, business development, technology, workplace management and enterprise or any other style of
innovation.

Professionals working across all areas of the defence industry, including primes, SMEs, university or research
institutions, consultancies, industry associations or any other defence business are encouraged to participate.

Indigenous Defence Leader of the Year

This award recognises the Indigenous defence leader that has most effectively shaped their business’ success
while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities.
It is open to all Indigenous defence leaders working in a business, organisation or institution that supports
defence and the defence industry.

Indigenous defence leaders working across all areas of the defence industry, including primes, SMEs, university
or research institutions, consultancies, industry associations or any other defence business are encouraged to
participate.

SME of the Year

This award recognises the defence SME that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and driven
demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security
capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all defence SMEs, no matter the specialisation, such as manufacturing, service, technology,
transportation, training and education, media and communications businesses.
Both newly created start-ups and established businesses are encouraged to apply.

Aerospace Business of the Year

This award recognises the aerospace business that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and
driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national
security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all aerospace businesses, no matter the specialisation, such as OEMs, major platforms and
equipment providers, outsourcing and supply chain management organisations, R&D, engineering, advanced
technologies and manufacturers, energy, software, procurement and other related defence businesses.

All defence aerospace businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic
location/s.

Naval Business of the Year

This award recognises the naval business that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and
driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national
security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all naval businesses, no matter the specialisation, such as OEMs, major platforms and equipment
providers, outsourcing and supply chain management organisations, R&D, engineering, advanced technologies
and manufacturers, energy, software, procurement and other related defence businesses.

All defence naval businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic
location/s.

Land Business of the Year

This award recognises the land business that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and driven
demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security
capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all land businesses, no matter the specialisation, such as OEMs, major platforms and equipment
providers, outsourcing and supply chain management organisations, R&D, engineering, advanced technologies
and manufacturers, energy, software, procurement and other related defence businesses.

All defence land businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic location/s

Space Business of the Year

This award recognises the space business that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and
driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national
security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all space businesses, no matter the specialisation, such as OEMs, major platforms and equipment
providers, outsourcing and supply chain management organisations, R&D, engineering, advanced technologies
and manufacturers, energy, software, procurement and other related defence businesses.
All space businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic location/s.

Cyber Business of the Year

This award recognises the cyber business that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and
driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national
security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all cyber businesses, no matter the specialisation, such as OEMs, major platforms and equipment
providers, data and encryption business, ISR, surveillance, perimeter, intranet and human security, SaaS
platforms and other related defence businesses.

All defence cyber businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic
location/s.

Consultancy of the Year

This award recognises the defence consultancy that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and
driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national
security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all defence consulting businesses, no matter the specialisation, such as strategy, operations, supply
chain, cyber, security, analytical, professional services, graduate, IT transformations, delivery, decommissioning,
M&A, supportability modelling and other related disciplines.

All defence consulting firms are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic location/s.

Manufacturer of the Year

This award recognises the defence manufacturer that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities
and driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national
security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all defence manufacturing businesses, no matter the specialisation, operating across domains such
as land, aerospace, cyber, naval, space, medical, packaging, textiles or clothing, weapons and weapons
systems, systems engineering and integration, C4ISR, multidomain and all other defence-related manufacturing
disciplines.

All defence manufacturers are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic location/s.

Export Business of the Year

This award recognises the defence exporter that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and
driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national
security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all defence exporting businesses, no matter the specialisation, operating across domains such as
land, aerospace, cyber, naval, space, medical, packaging, textiles or clothing, weapons and weapons systems,
systems engineering and integration, C4ISR, multidomain and all other defence-related disciplines.

All defence exporters are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic location/s.

Defence Innovator of the Year

This award recognises the defence innovator that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and
driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national
security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

All types of innovation will be considered, whether related to service excellence, product, systems and platform
development, business development, technology, workplace management and enterprise or any other style of
innovation.
All defence businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic location/s.

Prime Contractor of the Year

This award recognises the prime contractor that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and
driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national
security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all defence primes, no matter the specialisation, operating across domains such as land, aerospace,
cyber, naval, space, weapons and weapons systems, systems engineering and integration, C4ISR, multidomain,
OEMs and all other defence-related disciplines.

All defence prime contractors are encouraged to participate irrespective of revenue or geographic location/s.

Sub-contractor of the Year

This award recognises the sub-contractor that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and driven
demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security
capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all defence sub-contractors (including primes contracting to other primes, SMEs contracting to primes
and SMEs contracting to other SMEs), no matter the specialisation, operating across domains such as land,
aerospace, cyber, naval, space, weapons and weapons systems, systems engineering and integration, C4ISR,
multidomain, OEMs and all other defence-related disciplines.

All defence sub-contractors are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic location/s.

Academic Institution of the Year

This award recognises the university or academic institution that has most effectively capitalised on market
opportunities and driven demonstrable growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and
national security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all academics supporting defence and the defence industry at undergraduate, postgraduate and
research levels.
All Australian universities and academic institutions are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue
or geographic location/s.

Veteran Support Program of the Year

This award recognises the veteran support program, association or organisation that has most effectively
supported ADF veterans transitioning out of service and/or into new career opportunities post-service.

It includes all types of veteran support programs whether for-profit or not-for-profit.

All veteran support programs are encouraged to participate irrespective of focus, size, revenue or geographic
location/s.

Indigenous Business of the Year

This award recognises the Indigenous business that has most effectively capitalised on market opportunities and
driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national
security capabilities through its participation in the defence industry.

It includes all Indigenous businesses, no matter the specialisation, operating across domains such as land,
aerospace, cyber, naval, space, medical, packaging, textiles or clothing, engineering services, systems
engineering and integration, C4ISR, multidomain, logistics and warehousing, professional services and
administration, sales, marketing and communications, facilities services and construction, hospitality,
consumables and all other defence-related disciplines.

All Indigenous businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic location/s.

Training and Mentorship Program of the Year

This award recognises the defence business that has delivered the most effective training and mentorship
program for industry professionals. This includes but is not limited to graduate programs, staff development
opportunities, reskilling initiatives and mentorship schemes to build a stronger defence industry.

It is open to all businesses within the defence industry, no matter the specialisation, that have an objective of
supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence and national security capabilities through the development
of more skilled defence professionals.

All defence businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or geographic location/s.

Estate & Infrastructure Business of the Year

This award recognises the defence estate and infrastructure business that has most effectively capitalised on
market opportunities and driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of
Australia’s defence and national security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all defence estate and infrastructure businesses, no matter the specialisation, such as civil
construction organisations, land, building and infrastructure service providers or manufacturers, repair and
maintenance companies, base services businesses, facilities management companies, ADF housing, financial
and travel services companies, catering, cleaning and grounds maintenance businesses, and other related
defence businesses.

All defence estate and infrastructure businesses are encouraged to participate irrespective of size, revenue or
geographic location/s.

System Integrator

This award recognises the defence system integrator that has most effectively capitalised on market
opportunities and driven demonstrable business growth while supporting the strengthening of Australia’s defence
and national security capabilities through their participation in the defence industry.

It includes all defence system integrator businesses, no matter the specialisation, operating across domains
such as land, aerospace, cyber, naval, space, medical, weapons and weapons systems, C4ISR, multidomain
and all other defence-related manufacturing disciplines.

All defence system integrator businesses are encouraged to participate.

AIC Champion of the Year

This award recognises the AIC Champion that has made the largest impact toward building a
sovereign defence industry, facilitating the growth and development of Australian SMEs and
Australian Industry Capability.

The AIC Champion will have a proven track record of
commitment to Australian defence businesses, enabling their participation in the defence
industry via program partnerships, access to global supply chains, capability development,
sponsorships and mentoring.