National Indigenous Business Chambers Alliance

27/08/2025

Indigenous chambers unite to chart a community-led path for business certification

On a brisk August morning last week in Sydney, the energy at the International Convention Centre was palpable.

Indigenous business leaders and representatives from some of Australia's largest corporations gathered to network, trade and celebrate the extraordinary growth of the Indigenous business sector. Former AFL Sydney Swans player Adam Goodes, now leading an impressive portfolio of enterprises, was the event's keynote speaker. All of the major banks, and most of the country's largest miners, insurers and government departments were in attendance.

Just a few suburbs away in Redfern, a different but equally momentous gathering was taking place. Leaders from Indigenous business chambers across Australia had convened to form the National Indigenous Business Chambers Alliance (NIBCA) – a new united front with a bold vision for the future of First Nations business.

Chaired by Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network CEO Naomi Anstess, with NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce head Deb Barwick as deputy, the Alliance has set itself an ambitious agenda. Its mission is to build an Indigenous-led, chamber-driven and locally grounded model for certifying and supporting First Nations businesses at a time when many believe the current system is ready for a shake-up.

A Community-Led Vision for Certification

NIBCA's immediate priority is to develop an Indigenous-controlled national database of Indigenous businesses – a registry verified through the member chambers in each state and territory. The idea is simple but powerful: when an Aboriginal-owned company in Darwin or a family-run Torres Strait Islander enterprise in Cairns seeks certification, their local chamber will be the one to vet and validate it. This builds on existing grassroots knowledge.

Instead of relying solely on paperwork and distant oversight, verification would happen on Country, by Indigenous-led locally-based organisations and by people who know the community and understand cultural nuance and history.

Such a model promises a higher degree of cultural accountability. A business claiming Indigenous ownership would need to satisfy local Indigenous leaders of its bona fides – a safeguard against "Black cladding" (non-Indigenous entities masquerading as Indigenous) that leverages community insight rather than statutory declarations.

By knitting together these regional efforts, NIBCA plans to offer governments and corporate buyers a trusted national platform, grounded in local communities, of verified Indigenous suppliers in which they can trust. It is a vision of quality over quantity: a system where integrity is ensured not by centralised rules and auditors in a Sydney CBD office, but by the honour and vigilance of each community network across Australia.

This community-led approach is both a response to success and a corrective to shortcomings. For over a decade, the go-to proof of an Indigenous business has been a certificate from Supply Nation – a non-Indigenous not-for-profit corporation which has until now dominated supplier verification.

Read more: https://nit.com.au/26-08-2025/19846/indigenous-chambers-unite-to-chart-a-community-led-path-for-business-certification

27/08/2025

Exclusive: National Indigenous Business Chambers Alliance launches to turn policy into prosperity

Indigenous business chambers from across the country met in Redfern Wednesday to establish the National Indigenous Business Chambers Alliance (NIBCA).

The move came as Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy reiterated her support for Indigenous business chambers as voices for the growing First Nations economy.

Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network chief executive Naomi Anstess was elected Chair, with NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce head Deb Barwick as Deputy.

Attendees included NTIBN chair Raymond Pratt, Kinaway chair Trent Bickle, Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry chair Gordon Cole, NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce deputy chair Narelle Anderson, Murri Chamber of Commerce chair Adam Williams, and Adjunct Professor Kieran Hynes - chair of the Canberra Indigenous Business Network.

NIBCA's brief is national and practical. It gives governments and corporates a single Indigenous-controlled partner for procurement. It will hold government policy, funding and rules to account. It will speak as the national voice for Indigenous business while keeping authority grounded in Country through the state, territory and regional chambers.

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Indigenous business chambers from across the country met in Redfern Wednesday to establish the National Indigenous Business Chambers Alliance (NIBCA).The move came as Minister for Indigenous Australia...