"The NSW Committee of the Defence Reserves Support Council, through the Employer Support Awards, acknowledges employers who have adopted a supportive and positive role for their Reserve employees through leave arrangements and other special considerations to enable them to fulfil their Defence obligations," Senator Macdonald said.

To be eligible for Employer Support Awards, companies need to have a supportive leave policy and must have released their employees for an extended period of Reserve service. Awards are presented in the categories of Government and Large Business, Private Enterprise - Medium Business and Private Enterprise - Small Business.

"It is important to recognise the support that employers give to our Reservists, who in turn play an important role in assisting the Australian Defence Force in all roles, but particularly in peace-keeping and humanitarian aid operations," Senator Macdonald said.

"By providing their staff with Defence service leave, Reservists have been able to complete their training, attend courses to enhance their abilities and participate in Defence exercises. They have also had the opportunity to deploy to countries such as Malaysia, Pakistan and the Solomon Islands, assisting in peacekeeping missions and natural disaster relief."

"The Australian Government appreciates employers’ efforts and one of the ways we thank them is through the Employer Support Payment Scheme, which sees eligible employers receive $991.20 per week in order for them to employ a temporary replacement while their employee is performing Defence duties," Senator Macdonald said.

"I congratulate all companies who will receive awards tonight in recognition of their support to Reserves," he said.

A full list of employers receiving awards is as follows:

Southern Cross University

Blue Mountains District ANZAC Memorial Hospital

Metcash Trading

Sydney Water

Energy Australia

Allianz TMF

The Carrington of Bungendore

Ambulance Service NSW

BIAS Boating

Port Waratah Coal Services

Sydney Buses, State Transit Authority

Col Crawford BMW

Reserve Bank

Chili’s Campbelltown

Qantas

Club Marine

Bruce Archard Electrical and Air Conditioning

Diprinzio Consettini

RTA Hunter Region

Commonwealth Bank

TAFE Orange