Published 08 May 2023
Premier’s Sustainability Awards 2023
Sustainability Victoria is excited to once again deliver the Premier’s Sustainability Awards in 2023
Celebrating its 21st year, the prestigious awards program continues to adapt to reflect the depth and innovation of sustainability within industry, business and community across Victoria.
Entries for the 2023 Premier’s Sustainability Awards are now open! Entries close Friday 30 June 2023 at 5pm.
Award types
Each of the 6 award categories is open for entries in two award types: Community Champion and Industry Leader. Which award type your initiative is eligible for will be determined by your organisation type, size and other criteria as listed below. There will be a total of 12 categories open for entries.
The first step is to identify which award type your entry would be eligible to enter:
The first step is to identify which award type your entry would be eligible to enter:
Community Champion
Recognises initiatives by the following types of entrants:
- Individuals.
- Small charities and not-for-profits, and community groups (annual revenue under $250,000).
- Businesses with less than 20 employees.
- Childcare centres, kindergartens, and primary and secondary schools.
- Local government – boroughs, rural cities, and shires.
Industry Leader
Recognises initiatives by the following types of entrants:
- Medium and large charities, and not-for-profits (annual revenue of $250,000 or more).
- Businesses with over 20 employees.
- TAFEs, universities, and other higher education institutions.
- Victorian state government departments, agencies, and authorities.
- Federal government departments, agencies and authorities who are Victorian based, or where projects and initiatives are specifically undertaken in Victoria.
The next step is to decide in which category or categories your initiative would best fit and meets the eligibility.
Eligible entries include sustainability initiatives and outstanding achievements in the following award categories:
Award categories
Circular economy innovation
Accelerating Victoria’s transition to a more circular economy, keeping products and materials in use at their highest value.
Eligible entries include initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Focus on responsible design, production and consumption of materials and resources.
- Promote more sustainable business models that keep materials in use (e.g. service-based models).
- Maintain a harmonious and regenerative relationship with nature to create a sustainable circular economy.
- Demonstrate how circular solutions can be scaled across businesses, sectors, or whole systems.
- Increase knowledge about circular economy solutions.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 9, 11, 12, 13 and 17.
Future energy
Providing clean, affordable and secure energy for all Victorians and transitioning Victoria to net zero emissions.
Eligible entries include initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Demonstrate uptake of innovative renewable energy technologies.
- Expand clean energy infrastructure.
- Support increased energy efficiency.
- Promote energy-related behaviour change.
- Increase knowledge about clean, affordable, and secure energy.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17,
Healthy and fair society
Promoting increased awareness and support for the physical/mental health, equity and wellbeing of all Victorians to create a resilient, healthy and happy community.
Eligible entries include initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Foster diversity, inclusion, and gender equality.
- Enhance representation or participation of minorities.
- Address inequities in social or environmental settings, such as shelter, sustenance and healthcare.
- Support exemplary social procurement or local employment.
- Increase knowledge about social or economic inequality issues.
All entries must also:
- Demonstrate sustainable practices in the delivery of the initiative consistent with Victoria’s transition to a circular net zero economy.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16 and 17.
Sustainable places
Creating places and communities that are sustainable, resilient, and liveable.
Eligible entries include initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Involve the design, construction or upgrading of sustainable and resilient spaces or infrastructure.
- Demonstrate sustainable urban design practices.
- Promote sustainable planning outcomes.
- Protect cultural heritage.
- Encourage innovation in the built environment.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 9, 11, 12, 13 and 17.
Thriving environment
Regenerating, protecting and enhancing Victorian ecosystems, ensuring they are secured and flourish for future generations.
Eligible entries include initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Manage adverse impacts on the environment (eg noise, air quality etc.).
- Regenerate, conserve and protect ecosystems and species.
- Promote healthy environment habits (eg water saving initiatives).
- Increase knowledge about environmental regeneration, protection, and conservation.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 6, 14, 15 and 17.
Waste and recycling solutions
Enabling responsible disposal, recovery and reuse of resources and minimise what goes into landfill.
Eligible entries include initiatives with one or more of the following:
- Focus on responsible recovery and reuse of materials and resources.
- Reduce waste generation in line with waste hierarchy principles.
- Promote waste-related behaviour change to reduce waste to landfill.
- Demonstrate innovative technological solutions to waste recovery and recycling challenges.
- Increase knowledge about waste reduction.
Reflecting UN Sustainable Development Goals 12 and 17.
