Indigenous business What is the Indigenous Procurement Policy? To help Indigenous businesses to grow the Government requires Commonwealth agencies to meet a purchasing target from Indigenous businesses from 1 July 2015. In addition, for the following two types of procurements, the Commonwealth will need to consider whether an Indigenous business can deliver the required goods or services on a value for money basis before approaching the market more generally: procurements where the majority of goods or services will be delivered in a remote area; procurements valued between $80,000 - $200,000. Why is Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Directory important? For the procurements above Commonwealth buyers’ first point of call should be Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Directory. Buyers should check the Directory which will quickly and reliably show whether there is an Indigenous business that can provide goods or services on a value for money basis. What is an Indigenous business? An Indigenous business is any business that is 50 per cent or more Indigenous owned. How can I get started? Register with Supply Nation You should consider registering your business with . This is one of the best steps Indigenous businesses can take to gain exposure to Commonwealth buyers. Registration is a free, easy and straight forward process see The register of Indigenous businesses that Supply Nation maintains is regularly checked by Commonwealth government and non-government buyers. The Commonwealth and Supply Nation hold events throughout the year to raise the profile of Indigenous businesses with buyers. Tips for Indigenous businesses Develop a business profile Ensure your business’s communications look professional Update your business’s web page regularly Know your product Know your customer and market Understand the quoting process Understand the procurement and contracting rules Watch for opportunities Attend networking events relationships Follow up on potential contracting leads Be proactive, market your goods and services Make sure you deliver for money Ask for feedback Keep your Supply Nation profile current.
Keep a list of key procurement contacts Consider becoming a Commonwealth government panel member Register with an Indigenous Chamber of Commerce. For further information go to the Department of Finance’s website at How can I find contracting opportunities? Register your business on () Create a business profile for automatic notification of opportunities Search for opportunities and contracts relevant to your business Monitor and watch Annual Procurement Plans Meet potential Commonwealth buyers at “Meet the Buyer” events and make sure your business is well known. Review the events and factsheets on the Indigenous at For more information Questions about the Indigenous Procurement Policy can be sent to IndigenousProcurement@pmc.gov.au Where can I get help to build my business? may be able to help you with a business loan or other support to help your business grow and win Commonwealth contracts see Your Indigenous Chamber of Commerce may also offer support to help you gain the skills necessary to win government contracts. For more information see the website How does the Indigenous Procurement Policy apply to Indigenous businesses? The Indigenous Procurement Policy commenced 1 July 2015. It is designed to use the Commonwealth’s billion dollar procurement spend to drive demand for Indigenous businesses and employees in three ways. It requires that: Commonwealth agencies to meet annual purchasing targets from Indigenous businesses. By 2020, per cent of new domestic Commonwealth government contracts will be awarded to Indigenous businesses. Indigenous businesses who can show value for money are considered first for all Commonwealth government contracts: delivered in remote Australia and for all contracts valued between $80,000 and $200,000. (This is called the mandatory set aside process).