NSWICC Assured Businesses & Enterprises

A business or enterprise carrying the NSWICC Assured logo, must be 51% or more Indigenous owned, operated and controlled, and has met National Policy requirements as upheld by the First Australians Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FACCI) for being identified as a First Nations Business Owner or Entrepreneur.

State and Territory Indigenous Chambers of Commerce follow FACCI’s policy on certifying or confirming a person or business as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander:

A person(s) claiming to be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Entrepreneur or Business Owner is required to:

• be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent;
• identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander;
• be accepted as such by the community in which they live, or formerly lived;
• provide as evidence, written confirmation of each of the above from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Controlled legal entity or;
• provide evidence of their genealogy (Family Tree supported by Births, Deaths and Marriage certificates) and documentation that demonstrates Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Descent.
• be prepared to answer reasonable and respectful questions about their Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Heritage.

Why does FACCI require evidence?

Indigenous Procurement Policy aims to provide economic opportunities to Australia’s First People through Government and Private Sector spend. Policies such as the Commonwealth’s IPP and the NSW Government’s Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) are important levers for creating Jobs and Business Growth and therefore are a solution to addressing the economic and social disparities that exist for Australia’s First People.

A Robust, Respectful and Consistent Process for certifying an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander owned business supports the Integrity of the Sector and potential of Procurement Policy for Australia’s First People Business Owners, Families and Communities. “Procurement Policies such as the Commonwealth’s IPP and NSW Government’s APP are truly enabling levers as they provide an opportunity for our people to lead on economic and social parity in Australia.  It is the execution of these policies and regulation of the sector however that will maximise their impact to drive sustainable change” Deb Barwick, NSWICC Chair and CEO. FACCI Policy on defining an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander business is aligned with Global Best Practice for the recognition of Indigenous persons.

The NSWICC Assured Logo also means that a Business has met the prequalification requirements of FACCI Policy for determining a Business or Supplier to be Contract ready. For example, State and Territory Indigenous Chambers of Commerce assess compliance with Government and Industry Regulators, confirm ownership via ASIC registered shareholders agreements and check the capacity of the business to supply under contract.