Step 1: Initial entry assessment

The first round of judging is based on your entry submission. Your answers to every question will contribute to your overall score, so it is important to answer all questions and address the key entry criteria.

Step 2: Short-listed entrants

Once all written entries have been evaluated, the judges will short-list the most outstanding candidates for each state/territory in each of the five Award categories. If you are short-listed you will be invited to attend an interview in your capital city.

Step 3: Panel interviews

Interviews will be conducted with two judges throughout August and September, and will take about 30 minutes. If you are short-listed in more than one Award category, you will be required to attend interviews for each category on the one day.

Step 4: Finalists announced

Following the interviews and reference checks, finalists will be confirmed by post and announced publicly through the media. All finalists are celebrated at the Awards ceremony with presentation of certificates.

Step 5: Winners announced

Category winners and the Telstra Business Woman of the Year will be announced at the state and territory galas.

Step 6: National judging interview

Each state/territory category winner (national finalist) will travel to Melbourne for a 30 minute interview with the national judging panel on 17 November 2011. National Finalists will also attend the National Presentation Gala Dinner. Both finalists and winners are celebrated at the event.

Step 7: National winners announced

National category winners and the 2011 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year will be announced in Melbourne at the National Presentation Gala Dinner on 18 November 2011.