Supply Nation, Australia’s leading supplier diversity organisation, has released its 15-year anniversary report, providing an analysis of the contribution it has made to the Indigenous business sector while asking ‘where to from here?’ for Indigenous procurement in Australia.
Established by the Rudd Government in 2009, Supply Nation – formerly known as the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council – facilitated $300,000 of procurement spend with 13 Indigenous businesses in its first year of operation.
Currently, 5,000 verified Indigenous businesses are registered with Supply Nation, with the procurement spend from its over 820 members – who are located in every Australian state except Tasmania – totalling $4.1 billion in 2023.
Key findings include:
- From 2009 to 2023, Supply Nation facilitated more than $14.7 billion in procurement spend between members and Indigenous suppliers
- The total number of suppliers grew from 2009 to 2024 at a rate of 40 percent per annum
- The total number of members grew at a rate of 25 percent per annum across the same period
- The 5,000 verified and registered Indigenous-owned businesses on the Supply Nation database employ around 46,000 workers, including an estimated 18,000 Indigenous employees across Australia
- Over 90 percent of Supply Nation’s network today is made up of small to medium-sized Indigenous businesses
- The top three industries, based on the number of Indigenous businesses in each industry, include construction, facilities management and recruitment & administrative services
The report also dives into what is ahead for Indigenous procurement, exploring geopolitical tension and trade uncertainty, AI and the next wave of data and technology, Australia’s changing demographics, ESG reporting and climate change & the energy transition to net zero.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be Chief Executive Officer of this unique organisation at such a significant milestone,” said Supply Nation CEO and proud Awabakal woman Kate Russell.
“Supply Nation commenced as a three-year pilot program and has well and truly proved its worth, bringing significant benefits to Indigenous businesses that in turn contribute to economic and jobs growth and the prosperity of all Australians.
“We are seeing strong progress across diverse industries, driven by a commitment to innovation and sustainability, with core values that place improving education, health and social outcomes within communities at the centre of business culture. That is something to celebrate and support,” she said.
