Supporting corporations to strengthen culture and country

There are over 3,400 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations around the country. They are regulated and supported to practise good corporate governance by the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Mr Selwyn Button, a Gungarri man from southwest Queensland, and the 37 staff of his Office, best known as ORIC.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations make a significant contribution to the economy across a wide range of industries including land management, health, art, municipal services, tourism, housing, education, employment and training.

Most corporations are not-for-profit; some are peak bodies with other corporations as members; and dozens have multi-million dollar turnovers.

Selwyn said that although it’s definitely a diverse sector, the corporations share common aims.

‘Something almost all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations have in common is that they work to strengthen, sustain and revitalise language, culture and country.

‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations might not think of themselves as a business, but they’re boosting the Indigenous economy and the wellbeing of Indigenous people.’

ORIC helps corporations to meet their legal obligations, strengthen their governance and ultimately, achieve their goals—whatever they may be. The agency provides guidance, resources, tools and training, as well as a range of free services including job advertising, recruitment guidance and, for non-profit corporations, referrals to pro bono lawyers.

For those interested in this vibrant sector as a whole, ORIC shares bulk data about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations through data.gov.au.