SUPPORT FOR ABORIGINAL BUSINESS
The South Australian Government is committed to building the capacity of and providing opportunities for Aboriginal businesses to ensure all South Australians have access to the benefits of economic participation.
To drive this, in 2015 Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation led the development of a new Strategy to support improved Aboriginal economic participation outcomes.
The resulting Strategy is two-fold, focusing on leveraging opportunities for Aboriginal jobs and business from government procurement and building the capability of the Aboriginal business sector to compete for government and private sector tenders.
Aboriginal Economic Participation through Procurement
Through this strategy:
- In tenders less than $220,000 South Australian Government agencies will be supported to use the Aboriginal Business Procurement Policy, which was developed by Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation and enables agencies to procure directly from a business listed on Aboriginal Business Connect, instead of seeking three quotes.
- In tenders more than $220,000, the Office of the Industry Advocate will work with South Australian Government agencies to develop tailored Industry Participation Policy plans, so that businesses with high levels of Aboriginal ownership, jobs or subcontracting will receive a better Industry Participation score, and be more likely to win tender contracts.
Two full time staff are dedicated to drive this Strategy approach. For more information, contact:
Office of the Industry Advocate
Phone: 8226 8956
Email: oia@sa.gov.au
Aboriginal Business Support Package
The second component of the Strategy brings together a package of supports for the Aboriginal business sector to ensure there is a capable supply of Aboriginal businesses with capacity to access the South Australian Government’s procurement opportunities.
The package will build on the Office of the Industry Advocate’s Meet the Buyer programs and include targeted supports and capacity building programs for Aboriginal businesses.
For more information about the Meet the Buyer program please contact the Office of the Industry Advocate.
Other supports for South Australian Aboriginal business include:
Aboriginal Business Industry Chamber of South Australia
The South Australian Aboriginal chamber of commerce and offers networking and other business supports.
First Australians Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The national peak body representing Aboriginal business in partnership with its members (Aboriginal Chambers of Commerce and business associations across Australia).
South Australian Government Aboriginal Workforce Programs and Support
For more information, contact:
Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation
Phone: 1800 127 001
Email: DSDAARCorrespondence@sa.gov.au