Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards FAQ’s

General Information

What are the Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards?

The Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards recognise and celebrate individuals and organisations across Australia that are actively advancing gender equity in the workplace.

The awards highlight leaders, teams and organisations that are creating meaningful and measurable change through policies, leadership, culture and innovation.

Who can enter the awards?

The awards are open to:

  • Individuals working in Australia

  • Organisations registered and operating in Australia

Entrants must demonstrate actions and initiatives that support gender equity in the workplace.

What are the award categories?

Individual Categories

These awards recognise individuals who demonstrate leadership and commitment to gender equity.

  • Employee
  • Manager
  • Diversity & Inclusion Manager
  • Executive Manager (50+ Direct Employees)
  • Board / CEO

Company Categories

These awards recognise organisations making meaningful progress in gender equity within their industry.

  • Construction, Engineering & Energy
  • Finance, Insurance, Law & Superannuation
  • Health & Education
  • Public Sector & Government
  • Retail, Licensing & Hospitality
  • Sport & Recreation
  • Technology, Cyber & AI

Nominations

Who can submit a nomination?

  • Organisations may nominate themselves.

  • Individuals must be nominated by someone else, such as a colleague, manager, peer, or industry partner.

How do I nominate someone?

Submitting a nomination is simple and involves completing a short nomination form which includes:

  • Your name and contact details

  • The nominee’s name and contact details

  • The category you are nominating them for

  • A short explanation of why they deserve to be recognised

Can I nominate more than one person or organisation?

Yes. You can submit multiple nominations across different categories. Each nomination must be completed separately.

Is there a limit to the number of nominations I can submit?

No. However, we encourage nominators to ensure each nomination is thoughtful and supported with relevant information.

Can previous nominees or winners enter again?

Yes. Previous nominees and winners are welcome to enter again if they continue to demonstrate leadership and impact in advancing gender equity.

Will the nominee know who nominated them?

No. To maintain the integrity of the process, the identity of the nominator is kept confidential and is not disclosed to the nominee.

How long does it take to submit a nomination?

The initial nomination takes only a few minutes to complete.

If the nominee confirms their nomination, they will be invited to complete a more detailed submission outlining their initiatives and impact.

What if I’m unsure which category to enter?

If you are unsure which category best suits your nomination, simply select the one you believe is the closest fit. Our team will review all nominations and may reassign categories if needed to ensure the nomination is assessed appropriately.

What Happens After Nomination?

What happens after I submit a nomination?

Once a nomination is received:

  • The nominee will be notified that they have been nominated.

  • They will be invited to confirm their nomination.

  • The nominee will then complete a submission outlining their achievements and impact in advancing gender equity.

What if the nominee does not confirm their nomination?

If a nominee does not confirm their nomination or complete the submission process, the nomination will not proceed to judging.

For Individual Nominees

What should I do if I have been nominated?

If you have been nominated, you will receive an email inviting you to confirm your nomination and complete a submission outlining:

  • Initiatives or actions you have taken to support gender equity

  • Leadership behaviours or advocacy

  • The impact of your work

What makes a strong submission?

Strong submissions typically include:

  • Clear examples of actions taken

  • Measurable outcomes or results

  • Leadership and influence

  • Evidence of cultural or organisational impact

Can I include supporting materials?

Yes. Where relevant and where it fits within the 1500 word max., you may include links or references to supporting materials such as:

  • Reports

  • Policies

  • Videos

  • Case studies

For Organisations

What is required for the organisational submission?

If your organisation has been nominated, the nominated organisation contact will receive an email inviting  them to confirm their nomination and complete a submission outlining:

  • Initiatives or actions they have taken to support gender equity

  • Leadership behaviours or advocacy

  • The impact of their work

Do I need to be a gender equity expert to enter?

No. The Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards recognise individuals and organisations at all stages of their gender equity journey.

We are looking for genuine commitment, leadership and measurable actions that are helping create more equitable workplaces. Whether your initiatives are large or small, what matters most is the impact and intent behind them.

What if we are still early in our gender equity journey?

You are still encouraged to enter.

Many organisations are still developing their gender equity strategies. The awards recognise progress, innovation and leadership, not just perfection. Demonstrating that you are taking meaningful steps to improve gender equity can be just as powerful as long-established programs.

Judging Process

How are submissions judged?

Submissions are reviewed by an independent panel of experienced corporate and business leaders.

Entries are evaluated against criteria including:

  • Leadership commitment

  • Gender equity initiatives

  • Measurable outcomes

  • Cultural impact

  • Innovation and influence

How is fairness ensured in the judging process?

To ensure fairness and transparency:

  • Judges cannot assess categories where their organisation operates.

  • All submissions are reviewed independently.

  • The judging process is independently reviewed by KPMG.

When will finalists be announced?

Finalists will be announced following the completion of the judging process. All nominees and nominators will be notified when finalists are announced.

Further details regarding the awards ceremony and announcement of winners will be shared closer to the event.

How can I stay informed about the awards?

You can stay updated by:

  • Subscribing to the Recalibrate newsletter

  • Following official social media channels

  • Visiting the website for updates and announcements

How else can I support the initiative?

Individuals and organisations can support gender equity by:

  • Promoting awareness of the awards

  • Implementing best practices within their workplaces

  • Encouraging nominations of individuals making a difference

When do nominations close?

Nominations for the 2026 Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards close on Monday 3rd August 2026.

What are the benefits of being a finalist or winner?

Being recognised in the Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards provides significant benefits, including:

  • Recognition as a leader in gender equity

  • Enhanced employer brand and reputation

  • Increased visibility across industry and media channels

  • The opportunity to showcase best practices and inspire others

Finalists and winners may also be featured in promotional content, industry events and media communications.

Why are these awards important?

Gender equity remains one of the most important challenges facing Australian workplaces today.

The Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards celebrate the individuals and organisations who are actively working to close the gender gap and create more inclusive, equitable workplaces for everyone.

By recognising leadership and innovation, the awards help highlight what good looks like and encourage broader change across industries.

Gender equity is not just a goal—it’s a leadership responsibility.

The Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards celebrate the organisations and individuals who are actively reshaping Australian workplaces for the better.

DATA PRIVACY 
For the purposes of running the Recalibrate Gender Equity Awards, we collect, use, disclose, transfer, process, and store personal data of both the Nominating Party and the Nominee needed to conduct award nominations, judge submissions, contact nominees to review stories, award, publicise finalists/winners and related activities. We do not ask for any sensitive personal data or confidential information. We will process personal information of the Nominating Party and Nominees in accordance with the Business in Heels Privacy Policy. We may use and share a Nominee or Nominating Party’s personal data with third parties to the extent necessary to fulfill its obligation to administer and sponsor the awards.