If you are an Aboriginal business, there are initiatives in place to make it easier for you to sell to SA Government

The South Australian Government is committed to supporting the capacity and capability of Aboriginal businesses based in South Australia and increasing opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses to work on state-funded government projects.

Through these important initiatives, the Government aims to improve the level of Aboriginal people’s participation in, and benefit from, employment and economic opportunities arising out of government spending. This includes measures to

  • provide Aboriginal people with more opportunities to participate in the economy
  • leverage opportunities for Aboriginal jobs, businesses and Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) from government procurement, and
  • build the capability of the Aboriginal business and ACCO sector to compete for government and private sector work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Across major projects funded by state government, Aboriginal spend and workforce targets from part of contractual obligations through the SA Industry Participation Plan.

Agencies identify opportunities in their direct supply chain for Aboriginal businesses and  can seek a bid directly from an eligible Aboriginal business for goods and services valued up to and including $550,000. Agencies must confirm that value-for-money has been achieved by:

  • obtaining a written bid from an eligible Aboriginal business
  • confirming the price/rates submitted by the eligible Aboriginal business demonstrates value for money, and
  • ensuring the eligible Aboriginal business’ capacity and capability to deliver the contract

An ‘eligible Aboriginal business’ is one which is:

  • 50% or more Aboriginal owned and operating in South Australia
  • listed on the Office of the Industry Advocate South Australian Aboriginal Business Directory and can also be,
  • registered by Supply Nation, or
  • registered with an Aboriginal Regional Authority or Aboriginal Landholding Authority and is 50 per cent or more Aboriginal owned and based in South Australia
  • can demonstrate that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (owners and/or employees) are involved in the daily operation of the business and have effective control at least equal to the degree of ownership
  • provides economic benefit to South Australian Aboriginal people through ongoing employment in this State

Additionally, the SA Product and Services Directory is an online resource to find and connect with the Aboriginal business sector in South Australia.

Lists are also held by

An infographic showing support available for local Aboriginal businesses, including procurement services SA, Office of the Industry Advocate, The Circle First Nations Entrepreneur Hub, Industry Capability Network SA, Regional Development Australia, Indigenous Business Australia, Supply Nation and Far North Aboriginal Economic Collective.