Partnering with Indigenous businesses is more than just good corporate social responsibility; it positively impacts everyone involved.
The latest Indigenous business Snapshot revealed Indigenous businesses contribute over $16 billion to the Australian economy, employ 116,795 people and pay $4.2 billion in wages.
The Snapshot is a collaboration between the University of Melbourne’s Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Indigenous data custodians.
University of Melbourne’s Director of the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership, Associate Professor Michelle Evans, said First Nations Australians are pursuing business as a vehicle for economic self-determination in encouraging numbers.
“The contribution of Indigenous businesses is not just the monetary amount – there is also the story of Indigenous self-determination through the vehicle of business, the local benefits of businesses especially in regional Australia such as employment and contribution to infrastructure, and the sharing of cultural knowledge which is crucial to the world’s oldest continuing culture.”
Rohan Tobler-Williams – Managing Director, ARA Indigenous Services who has cultural ties to Yidindji Country and Wakka Wakka, said the benefits are diverse.
ARA Indigenous Services, who operate in the property services business, has over 100 Indigenous staff, representing four per cent of its workforce nationally.
Within the Indigenous division, over 11 per cent of the workforce is Indigenous, reflecting the company’s dedication to creating employment opportunities and supporting community development.
Mr Tobler-Williams said Indigenous businesses are a key part in bettering Indigenous communities.
“We need to have business owners that run a business model that doesn’t just focus on giving a great service to the customer client or partner but prides themselves on giving the same back to our communities and opportunities to reinvest.”
Mr Tobler-Williams said many in the property industry engage with Indigenous businesses in the first instance due to Reconciliation Action Plans or government requirements but come to find a deep appreciation of the engagement.
“When you start to reach out and you start to work with a company like us, suddenly, you start feeling good about your contracting. You’re engaging with a business that not only is going to deliver a service to your company but is going to deliver outcomes to the community that you now feel part of.
“When you contract with someone like us you not only keep that current workforce employed, including myself, but you also create opportunity for more indigenous staff.”
Mr Tobler-Williams emphasised the importance of providing sustainable and meaningful employment opportunities for Indigenous people.
Mr Tobler-Williams used the example of two employees, one who started as a casual cleaner, now leads a team and handles Indigenous engagement and another who began began as a casual cleaner and is now an apprentice locksmith after looking for a new opportunity.
“These stories…demonstrates the capability and strength of us as a property company and the impact for our people.”
Mr Tobler-William’ journey is a testament to this. Starting as an apprentice carpenter, he worked his way through various roles, leading to his current position as Managing Director at ARA Indigenous Services.
“My passion and my vision are genuinely wanting our people to get the same opportunities that were given to me.”