NSWICC registered as first Peak Body for Aboriginal Businesses in NSW & first State Chamber for Aboriginal Business in Australia

NSWICC wins Premiers Award for Excellence & Leadership for Economic Impact in Indigenous Communities

Indigenous Business Council of Australia (IBCA) formed as a National Voice for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Businesses

NSWICC officially launched by Senator Mark Arbib, Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs

NSWICC Chair, Deb Barwick selected to Co-Chair the World Indigenous Business Forum held in Sydney, Australia.

OCHRE – Opportunity, Choice, Healing, Responsibility, Empowerment – NSW Government’s plan for Aboriginal affairs released

NSWICC & NSW Government sign MOU – forming a historical alliance to inform & implement key initiatives under OCHRE relating to the economic empowerment of Aboriginal Communities in NSW

NSW Government Procurement Board Directive enabling agencies to contract Aboriginal Suppliers for goods & services up to $150k

Law Society NSW & NSWICC launch partnership providing access to pro bono legal advice, support and representation

TAFE NSW & NSWICC partnership providing Indigenous Businesses & their Employees access to tailored programs & qualifications

NSW Deputy Ombudsman for Aboriginal programs appointed

NSW Aboriginal Participation in Construction Policy (APIC) launched

NSW Aboriginal Business Portal launched as the First Portal & Database designed to link Aboriginal suppliers in NSW with Government & Private Sector Procurement

KPMG & NSWICC partnership

NSW Department of Education & Communities & NSWICC form partnership to support linkages between Aboriginal Suppliers and the Department

Minerals Council NSW & NSWICC form partnership aiming to increase Indigenous Suppliers participation in NSW Mining

The First Australians Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FACCI) launched as National peak body to represent the interests of State & Territory Indigenous Chambers of Commerce & their members

Fostering Economic Development for Aboriginal people in NSW report to Parliament under s.31 of the Ombudsman Act 1974

NSW Standing Committee on State Development Inquiry into Economic Development in Aboriginal Communities

 Bridging the Indigenous Supply Gap Report – UNSW Business School 

NSWICC & the Australian Industry Group (AIG) Partnership 

NSW Government & NSWICC Industry Based Agreement (IBA) launch 

NSWICC 2020 Roadmap Launch – A Social & Economic Impact Strategy 

Draft Federal Government Indigenous Economic Development Strategy

First international guidance standard on sustainable procurement (ISO20400) published

NSW Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) officially comes into effect, recognising NSWICC as a certifying body:

• Direct procurement up to $250,000 from suitable qualified Aboriginal businesses
• Award 3% of total goods and services contracts to Aboriginal businesses
• Supporting 3,000 Aboriginal job opportunities by 2021

NSWICC continues sector advocacy, paving the way for stronger APP rollout in 2021.

Updated NSW Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) comes into effect:

• Requires clusters to direct 1% of total addressable spend to Aboriginal-owned businesses by the end of 2021

• Aims to award 3% of total goods and services contracts to Aboriginal-owned businesses by the end of 2021 

• Support ~ 3,000 full-time employment opportunities for Indigenous peoples through NSW Government procurement activities

• Assigns targets to each cluster to improve accountability, with progress toward achieving the targets to be published

• Requires 1.5% Aboriginal participation across all high-value contracts over $7.5 million 

• Permits agencies to negotiate directly with an Aboriginal-owned business for all procurements up to $250,000 even where there is a mandated prequalification scheme or panel in place. 

The NSWICC Infrastructure and Construction Forum expands to being a 2-day event only in its second year. 

APP review commences - NSW Treasury undertakes evaluation of the effectiveness of the Aboriginal Procurement Policy and seek stakeholder feedback to enhance outcomes for NSW's First Economy

Indigenous Supplier Development Program (ISDP) - launched by NSWICC with University of Sydney Business School. A 3-month tender-readiness and capability development initiative for Indigenous business owners to build strategic procurement readiness. Supported and sponsored by Turner Townsend, Logikal, HK, Deloitte

Yinaar Ngaambi-li Program - launched by NSWICC and funded by Women NSW. a 4-month capability development initiative for Indigenous Women business owners.

The Summit 2024 - the NSWICC Infrastructure and Construction Forum rebranded to The Summit expanding the amount of exhibitors and attendees attracting all industries.

National Indigenous Business Chamber Alliance (NIBCA) is announced with NSWICC as a member and NSWICC Chair Deb Barwick elected as Deputy Chair.

The Summit 2025 was the NSWICC's largest convenings to date on Wonnarua Country — focused on networking, tradeshow engagement, masterclasses and awards celebrating Indigenous business excellence and partnerships. 

The Summit continues to serve as a key platform bridging buyers and Indigenous suppliers, highlighting ongoing gaps between policy ambition and real contract engagement.

Federal Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) reforms (from 1 July 2025)

• Commonwealth IPP target increases from 2.5% to 3% of total contract value; progressively rising to 4% by 2030;
• Stricter eligibility requiring >51% Indigenous ownership and control - aimed at integrity and tackling policy misuse (black cladding).

These national shifts align with ongoing state efforts to boost genuine Indigenous economic engagement.

NSWICC launches the Equitable Procurement Practices training program aimed at educating government and industry buyers on the APP and how to recognise and avoid black cladding.