The Minns Government is providing Aboriginal businesses and organisations with business investment, skills development and training opportunities that will help them attract new customers, expand their operations and plan and prepare for the future.
A total of 42 Aboriginal businesses and organisations will receive a share of $5.6 million to invest in business mentoring and coaching, upskilling and training, the development of strategic business plans and governance frameworks and purchasing assets to expand operations.
The Aboriginal business sector in regional NSW is growing and access to training, development, and investment is vital for the success of both Aboriginal organisations and communities.
Dharra Jerky and Secret Harvest in Dubbo, Booma Food Group in Cessnock, Binjang Tea in Wellington, Deniliquin's Barka Treats, and Native Botanical Brewery and Dream Builders on Country in the Central Coast are among the businesses who will boost production and pursue larger market opportunities through this funding.
The NSW Government is dedicated to closing the gap by removing barriers that hinder access to business training, mentoring and capital investment for Aboriginal people in regional NSW.
These growth opportunities have been made possible by $1.29 million from the NSW Government's Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program Round 2 and $4.33 million from the Regional Development Trust's Aboriginal Economic Development Package.
According to a 2022 NSW Treasury report there are some 737 NSW Indigenous businesses registered with the Aboriginal procurement organisation, Supply Nation, the most of any state or territory.
Median annual revenue for these businesses is $303,000, with each employing a median full-time equivalent staff of 3.8.
Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty said:
"Aboriginal businesses and organisations in regional NSW have a unique connection to land, culture and community, with traditional knowledge and cultural practices integrated into their businesses.
"Not only do Aboriginal businesses and organisations contribute to the regional local economies, but they also contribute to environmental sustainability and cultural development in regional communities.
"Getting the best training and resources into these regions is the first step in bridging skills gaps, supporting sustainable growth and creating jobs."
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
"The Minns Government is strongly committed to supporting Aboriginal-owned businesses and organisations to continue to grow and develop.
"By giving regional Aboriginal communities the tools they need we can help boost local economies now and into the future, promoting long term success."
CEO of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Deb Barwick said:
"Access to tailored mentoring, training and business development opportunities will allow Aboriginal businesses to strengthen their operations and expand their reach.
"Supporting the growth of Aboriginal businesses in regional NSW drives economic development and creates lasting, meaningful opportunities for local communities.
"This funding ensures Aboriginal businesses are equipped with the tools to build their capacity, improve governance and unlock their full potential."
Aboriginal business Dharra Jerky founder Hayden Williams said:
"I started making jerky as a hobby about six years ago and I have been proud to watch it begin to bloom into something much bigger.
"This support is giving me a great opportunity to upgrade my equipment so I can take my small business to the next level."
| Proponent | Project name | Location |
| Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation | Governance Enhancement Initiative for Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation |
Bellingen Shire Council |
| Gathangga Wakulda Aboriginal Corporation | Growing Atanga Wakulda | Port Macquarie-hastings Council |
| Djiyagan Dhanbaan Incorporation | Nyiirun Djiyagan Wakulda, Women's Festival | Port Macquarie-hastings Council |
| Walhallow Local Aboriginal Land Council | Walhallow Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Business Capacity Building | Liverpool Plains Shire Council |
| Barka Treats | Dog Food Production Enhancement | Edward River Council |
| Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council | Bunyah LALC Guulabaa Cafe Enterprise Equipment | Port Macquarie-hastings Council |
| Binjang Tea | Binjang Tea Capacity Building: Fostering Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Business Growth | Dubbo Regional Council |
| Native Botanical Brewery | Native Botanical Brewery's "Pops Country" Initiative: Cultivating Indigenous Heritage from Bush to Brewery | Central Coast Council |
| BS Ellis and ML Ellis | Business diversification and capacity uplift | Eurobodalla Shire Council |
| Strong Movement | The Athlete Performance and Conditioning Enhancement Program | Tamworth Regional Council |
| LORE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD | Develop a business plan to grow and expand LORE Australia | Bellingen Shire Council |
| Bugalwan Indigenous Corporation | Ma Banyahr | Central Coast Council |
| Strong Spirit Services Ltd | Strong Spirit Cultural Pathways Program | Port Macquarie-hastings Council |
| Aboriginal Advancement Alliance Trading As Acadiam | Buzz Bus Activating Communities Road Trip - engaging, aligning and pathways to local jobs | Cessnock City Council |
| Mingaan Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation | Mingaan Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation Website upgrade with booking platform | Lithgow City Council |
| Bangguri Gadhu Cultural Tours | Bermagui Survival Day | Bega Valley Shire Council |
| Bara Barang Corporation Ltd | Dream Builders On Country : Raspberry Fields Business Planning | Central Coast Council |
| Dharra Jerky | Expanding Indigenous-Owned Dharra Jerky: Strengthening Manufacturing, Retail, and Wholesale Operations for Regional Growth | Dubbo Regional Council |
| Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council | Red Chief Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Business Planning Initiative | Gunnedah Shire Council |
| Integr8y | Integr8y - Building Capacity for Aboriginal Business Growth through Tender and Grant Writing Expertise: A Strategic Approach to Securing Contracts and Economic Empowerment | Tamworth Regional Council |
| Brennan Cultural Enterprise Pty Ltd T/A Waagayamba Consultants | Igniting Growth: Empowering Aboriginal Businesses with Virtual Support and Mentoring | Clarence Valley Council |
| Mara-Mara Community Incorporated | Renovations To Mara-Mara Community Incorporated | Tamworth Regional Council |
| JA Berry & DJ Carney t/as Cafe2823 | Cafe2823 Courtyard & Function Area | Narromine Shire Council |
| Euraba Paper Aboriginal Corporation | Euraba Paper Company upgrade project | Moree Plains Shire Council |
| Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative Limited | Community Capacity Development Project: Building Governance and Enterprise Development opportunities | Mid North Coast and North Western LALC regions |
| Secret Harvest Pty Ltd | Skin Care Manufacturing | Dubbo Regional Council |
| Twofold Aboriginal Corporation | Twofold Solar Energy System - Off Grid Solar System to supply campground and other buildings on site | Bega Valley Shire Council |
| Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council | Gumbaynggirr Keeping Place - Completion & Activation Project | Nambucca Valley Council |
| Jaanymili Bawrrungga Aboriginal Corporation | Gumbaynggirr Native Seedling Enterprise: Cultivating Growth and Sustainability | Nambucca Valley Council |
| Native Botanical Brewery | Native Botanical Brewery Expansion Wambelong Creek Coffee "Bush to Brewery" initiative | Central Coast Council |
| Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council | Winjirra Events | Lake Macquarie City Council |
| Booma Food Group Pty Ltd | Booma Food Biz Growth | Cessnock City Council |
| Waminda South Coast Women's Health & Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation | Sustaining our Blak Cede Enterprise | Shoalhaven City Council |
| More Cultural Rehabs Less Jails | Yindyamarra Landcare | Dubbo Regional Council |
| Gari Yala Pty Ltd T/As Chocolate On Purpose | Ngunggilanha Native Garden & Chocolate Nexus: Reclaiming Culture, Activating Wisdom, Empowering Community | Wingecarribee Shire Council |
| Grafton Ngerrie Local Aboriginal Land Council | Grafton Ngerrie Nursery Enterprise: Cultivating Economic Growth and Cultural Prosperity | Clarence Valley Council |
| Home Of Recovery | Home of Recovery Up Lift | Dubbo Regional Council |
| Gadhungal Marring | Native nursery, mentorship program and managment tools | Shoalhaven City Council |
| Aralumbin Pty Ltd | Project "Bush to You" brings bush foods to every plate, bridging the gap and collectively educating Australia. | Tweed Shire Council |
| Yurruga Indigenous Corporation | Yurruga Sustainable Solar Project Uplift and Expansion | Dubbo Regional Council |
| Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council | Building resilience and sustainability and focusing on circularity through a cultural lens | Bega Valley Shire Council |
| Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation Limited | Galari Horticulture - Green house | Lachlan Shire Council |
