Indigenous business engagement

DFAT is working to improve Indigenous Australians economic prosperity by creating opportunities for greater access to, and participation in, the global economy.

DFAT does this through:

  • Charter for Indigenous Australian Businesses – DFAT and our portfolio agencies released the charter in November 2017 to encourage and assist Indigenous businesses to engage with international markets and investors.
  • Commonwealth’s Indigenous Procurement Policy – DFAT has expanded the application of the policy to a broader range of procurements than is mandated under this policy and encourages our delivery partners to engage with Indigenous Australian businesses.
  • Reconciliation Action Plan – DFAT’s fourth RAP and second stretch RAP respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, and histories in all aspects of our work and includes a commitment to work with Austrade to create an Indigenous export award.

Other DFAT Indigenous activities include:

  • Indigenous Peoples Strategy – DFAT has developed a five-year Strategy to provide a framework to advance and promote the wellbeing of indigenous people around the world.
  • Indigenous Public Diplomacy Program – The program aims to promote to promote Australia’s international foreign policy outreach, by leveraging the wide-ranging expertise of Indigenous Australians in areas such as arts, culture, science, media, entrepreneurship, governance, business, and connect and share this expertise with the world.
  • Torres Strait Treaty – It defines the border between Australia and Papua New Guinea and provides a framework for the management of the common border area.
  • Indigenous Recruitment – Recognising the unique position of Indigenous Australians as the first peoples of Australia, and the Australian Government’s commitment to reconciliation and closing the gap on Indigenous Australian disadvantage, DFAT operates targeted strategies and programs to support reconciliation with Indigenous Australians and to support the recruitment, retention and career development of Indigenous Australian employees in the department.
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