Procurement is one of the most powerful levers available to corporate Australia for driving genuine, measurable change in First Nations communities. That was the central message delivered by NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce (NSWICC) Chief Executive Officer Deb Barwick during a National Reconciliation Week webinar hosted by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), titled Remove the Blinkers and Embrace First Nations Procurement.
The webinar, facilitated by Ai Group's Vivienne Filling, brought together industry leaders and procurement professionals to explore equitable procurement, why it matters, and the practical steps organisations can take to create more meaningful opportunities and outcomes for First Nations businesses. NSWICC was proud to be represented as a featured panellist, sharing insights drawn from more than two decades of experience at the forefront of First Nations business development in New South Wales.
This year's National Reconciliation Week theme, All In, served as the foundation for the discussion. Deb Barwick drew a direct line between the theme and the responsibility that procurement professionals carry.
"This year's NRW theme 'All In' means using your purchasing power to grow Indigenous economic participation. When we include Indigenous businesses in our supply chains, we create jobs and strengthen our communities. Your procurement and partnerships can create measurable outcomes."
Despite growing awareness, Indigenous engagement too often remains an afterthought within corporate procurement cycles. Procurement teams frequently limit their consideration of First Nations suppliers to the small-to-medium enterprise (SME) space, or restrict them to basic tasks and service offerings — a pattern that Deb Barwick challenged directly throughout the session.
One of the most compelling themes of the webinar was the call to challenge and dismantle longstanding assumptions about what First Nations businesses are capable of delivering.
"Remove the blinkers: many people have perceptions around what First Nations businesses are capable of and what they can deliver. Never assume there isn't an Indigenous business that can do the job. Many of our partners, when we first work with them, are amazed at what's available."
NSWICC partners with more than 500 majority Indigenous-owned organisations that collectively cover more than 70 spend categories — a remarkable breadth that spans industries from construction and professional services to hospitality, technology, and beyond.
"We're quite confident there's an Indigenous business that covers nearly every kind of supplier. It's an incredibly diverse space. It's always worth contacting us to find out which Indigenous businesses can supply for your contract."
The webinar also addressed a genuine challenge faced by many organisations: balancing value for money with the commitment to equitable and inclusive procurement outcomes. Deb Barwick acknowledged the tension openly, while highlighting the active role NSWICC plays in supporting its member businesses to remain competitive.
"At the Chamber, we're all about ensuring our suppliers understand where their rates need to be in regard to value. We notice they're pricing themselves out of the market; it's a constant education piece."
NSWICC's Procurement Help Desk plays a vital role in this regard, providing real-time market intelligence and connecting buyers with certified suppliers. Equally, the Chamber works with its members to help them articulate the full value they bring to a contract — including the significant community impact that many First Nations businesses generate but are often reluctant to promote.
"During the tendering process, a lot of our members are very shy about talking about their community impact. We say: 'Why aren't you talking about the nursing scholarships you fund every year?' If you've got a competitive bid and you're not highlighting all the incredible things you're doing, you might not get that work. It's a cultural thing, so we work with them to articulate the additional value they bring as a supplier."
The webinar also shone a light on the serious and ongoing issue of black cladding — the practice of non-Indigenous businesses misrepresenting themselves as having Indigenous heritage for commercial gain. Deb Barwick provided clear, practical guidance for procurement teams on how to identify and avoid this risk.
"Black cladding is jeopardising the goodwill of corporate Australia, industry and government, who are trying to ensure their supply chains are open to legitimate Indigenous suppliers."
Key red flags to watch for include a non-Indigenous business that has suddenly developed an Indigenous arm or element to its name, or where an Indigenous person appears in marketing materials but is absent from any business conversations or decision-making. NSWICC's certification process examines who controls decision-making, who delivers the work, and who holds financial control within the business.
"Follow your gut. If there's a genuine feeling that the business might not be an Indigenous business, check with us whether they've been certified."
A recurring theme throughout the session was the critical importance of early engagement. Historically, Indigenous businesses are contacted at the final stages of a procurement process — often because a corporate buyer needs to fulfil an Indigenous engagement target at the last minute. This approach severely limits the quality of outcomes for both parties.
"If you plan your procurements well ahead, you can maximise your outcomes. A few months out is always a good idea. There aren't many smaller to medium businesses that can respond when it's last minute, so the earlier, the better."
Deb Barwick closed the session with a powerful reminder that reconciliation is not a once-a-year event — it is a daily practice that can be embedded into the most routine business decisions.
"National Reconciliation Week is important, but we should be looking at reconciliation as part of our everyday lives. What better way to do that than by building it into our procurement processes? Procurement is such a powerful lever for change and economic impact. Without economic impact, all the other disadvantage we're fighting to address in our communities is harder."
NSWICC offers a comprehensive suite of services to help government, industry, and corporate buyers embed First Nations procurement as a business-as-usual practice:
| Service | Description |
| Procurement Help Desk | A professional concierge service connecting buyers with certified, capability-matched Indigenous suppliers — with reports typically delivered within 24 hours. |
| Supplier Certification | NSWICC's rigorous certification process is recognised by all levels of government, ensuring buyers can procure with confidence. |
| Consulting & Training | Specialist support to help organisations navigate black cladding risks, develop procurement policies, and build internal capability. |
| National Network | As part of the National Indigenous Business Chambers Alliance, NSWICC provides localised knowledge while connecting buyers to a national network of certified Indigenous businesses. |
NSWICC celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades as the oldest chamber in the national network and a steadfast champion of First Nations economic self-determination.
Read the full Ai Group webinar wrap-up: Remove the Blinkers and Embrace First Nations Procurement
Ready to start your First Nations procurement journey? Contact the NSWICC Procurement Help Desk today procure@nswicc.com.au.