Newslines Radio: Business opportunities

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The Australian Government funds the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council (AIMSC) to build prosperous Indigenous enterprises as part of its strategy to halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade.

This renewed commitment of $7.5 million is part of the Australian Government’s $650 million Indigenous Employment Program.

The Indigenous Economic Development Strategy 2011–2018 outlines how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can become more involved in the nation’s economy.

The Government sees Indigenous Australians establishing and running their own businesses as an important part of this strategy and is providing support across various agencies and departments, including:

• Indigenous Business Australia, which offers free workshops to help you research ideas and develop a plan for your new business. Ongoing support, advice and business loans are also available.
• the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme and Indigenous Capital Assistance Scheme.
• the Business Toolkit for Indigenous Women, where six Indigenous women share their experiences and tips on getting into business.
• the Aboriginals Benefit Account, which funds projects, such as small business initiatives that benefit Aboriginal people living in the Northern Territory. Only organisations established under a Commonwealth, State or Territory law are eligible.

Industry support for your businesses

Various industry bodies are there to support to Indigenous-owned businesses:

• Australian Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, a not-for-profit organisation designed to promote and serve Indigenous business
• Indigenous Business Council of Australia, the nation's peak Indigenous business organisation
• online Indigenous business directories Black Pages and InGuides, which are assisting Indigenous business owners to connect with buyers.