Wollongong's Illawarra Indigenous Business Expo has grown to 67 stalls since its 2023 debut. Nearly 600 people attended the fourth expo at Novotel. Organiser Maiquilla Brown, who runs the event through her Bimbala Collective business, said many visitors were non-Indigenous allies. Exhibitors included weavers, tradespeople, a plant nursery and a dairy launching in Western Sydney. Wollongong's Lord Mayor, Tania Brown, said the council started the expo with 30 businesses and now has over 65.
Supply Nation says its members spent a record $6.79 billion with verified Indigenous businesses in FY2025–26. That is a 16.5 per cent rise on the previous year's $5.83 billion. Corporate buyers accounted for about two-thirds of the spending, while government procurement rose 33 per cent to $2.2 billion. Supply Nation CEO Kate Russell said the figures reflect economic empowerment and stronger communities. CPB Contractors and ARA Indigenous Services highlighted a partnership that aims to create employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Winners of the Telstra First Nations Business Award have been announced. Judges assessed how each business was run day to day, including its decisions, systems and ways of working. They also considered the difference each business was making, supported by examples and results, and how it would grow and adapt in future. Businesses had to confirm majority Indigenous ownership and leadership through a recognised Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander business organisation or registry.
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First Nations businesses have been recognised at Rockhampton's annual Indigenous Business Month Celebration, held on Darumbal Country. The event explored the economic and social value Indigenous businesses add to the region through community ties and partnerships. The third iteration of the Business Recognition Awards added two new categories, Empowering Communities and Shared Prosperity. Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said the event recognised the outstanding contribution of local Indigenous leaders and businesses.
A free Indigenous business workshop in Perth is almost fully booked, with only a few tickets remaining. The session is open to First Nations Peoples and will be held at the Waalitj Hub in Lathlain on Wednesday, October 15. It covers intellectual property issues that businesses face, including Indigenous cultural and intellectual property, copyright, trade marks, patents and the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence. Participants will learn practical ways to protect their ideas, knowledge and brands.
Broome-based Aboriginal economic development organisation Morrgul says it helped Indigenous entities across regional Western Australia win more than $31.3 million in contracts in the past year. The work is estimated to have created 63 jobs for Aboriginal people. Morrgul supported 392 Indigenous entities between September 2025 and August 2026. More than 91 per cent of businesses it supports are still trading after three years. The organisation recently won Supply Nation's Registered Supplier of the Year award and the Dr Dean Jarrett Award for Outstanding Impact.
A First Nations commercial construction business has completed a multi-million dollar upgrade at Gaza Ridge Army Barracks at North Bandiana in Victoria. Traditional owners marked the completion with a smoking ceremony. The works remediated storage facilities, adding covered storage for Army vehicles, a larger laydown area and loading ramp, an improved base road network and stronger security infrastructure. Defence says it has awarded more than $7 billion in contracts to Indigenous enterprises since the Indigenous Procurement Policy began in 2015.
