Indigenous Engagement
Business Council of Australia member companies are helping to create the social and economic conditions in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can prosper and thrive.
By identifying and sharing experiences from member companies on employment and economic development strategies that work, the Business Council is widely recognised for its leadership role in advocating good practice and policy.
Key activities include:
• Our Biennial Indigenous Engagement Survey: shows outcomes and progress in business-Indigenous engagement. Read more • The Business–Indigenous Network: shares insights, experiences and perspectives on how best to strengthen Indigenous economic participation. Read more • Supporting Indigenous businesses: we work closely with Supply Nation to achieve shared goals, including a thriving Indigenous business sector and greater Indigenous economic independence. We’ve recently commenced our Raising the Bar project to o grow the Indigenous procurement capability and impact of Business Council companies. • The Independentdirectory: is a joint initiative of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations and the Business Council which allows skilled individuals to register an interest in being an independent director at an Indigenous corporation. Indigenous corporations can also advertise board vacancies. • Business Council and the Purple House: The Business Council has joined up with member Australian Unity (AU) to support the remarkable resilience and innovation of Indigenous communities in Central Australia and the Western Desert. Read more
The BCA Secretariat contact for Indigenous Engagement is Josh Riley, Senior Manager, Citizenship.
New Report Reveals Surge In Business Engagement With Indigenous Australians
6 December 2016
The campaign by Australia’s biggest businesses to boost their engagement with Indigenous communities is gaining momentum, with Indigenous employment levels surging 30 per cent among Business Council member companies since 2014. More
2016 Garma Key Forum: Corporate Australia and Indigenous Economic Development
30 July 2016
Business Council Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott chaired a panel at the Key Forum on Corporate Australia and Indigenous Economic Development. More
Garma Key Forum Opening Remarks by Jennifer Westacott
30 July 2016
Opening remarks given by Business Council Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott at the Garma 2016 Key Forum on Corporate Australia and Indigenous Economic Development. More
Supply Nation's Connect 2016 Keynote Speech by Jennifer Westacott
2 May 2016
Jennifer Westacott speaks about innovation in the face of major technological disruption, and the implications for supplier relationships, entrepreneurship and enterprise creation. More
Statement on Constitutional Recognition Referendum Council
7 December 2015
We congratulate Michael Rose, Chair of our Indigenous Engagement Task Force, on his appointment to the Referendum Council. More
New Resource to Help Business Promote Jobs for Indigenous People
27 October 2015
The AHRC and BCA launch ‘Targeted recruitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – A guideline for employers’. More
Governance is Stronger When Two Worlds Connect
21 October 2015
Independentdirectory is a joint initiative of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations and the BCA. More
Statement on Constitutional Recognition
26 June 2015
The substance of the committee’s position aligns with BCA principles of fairness and shared prosperity. More
The Purple House Fund Launch
16 April 2015
Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott will launch the fund at a celebration in Melbourne in support of the Purple House (Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation).
More
Supporting and Celebrating Indigenous Initiative and Success
16 April 2015
The Purple House Fund is an initiative that enables patients suffering end-stage renal disease to receive treatment on their country. More
The Purple House Fund
15 April 2015
The Purple House, is an Alice Springs-based organisation, providing a unique and innovative community care and social support service for patients suffering end-stage renal disease. More
BCA and Supply Nation Drive Supplier Diversity Discussion
26 March 2015
Supporting the development of the Indigenous business sector is important so that we can drive Indigenous economic development. More
Australia’s Largest Companies Supporting Indigenous Prosperity
18 December 2014
Almost all of Australia’s largest companies see Indigenous prosperity as something they have a part in actively supporting. More
Forrest Review a Reminder We Have a Long Way to Go
1 August 2014
Business is making progress in reducing Indigenous employment disparity but Mr Forrest’s report is a timely reminder that we still have a long way to go. More
Supply Nation and Business Council of Australia launch Memorandum of Understanding
10 February 2014
Supply Nation and the Business Council of Australia launch partnership giving Indigenous businesses opportunities to supply goods and services. More
BCA Indigenous Engagement Survey 2013
16 December 2013
An inspiring picture of people working together to create the social and economic conditions where Indigenous Australians can achieve their potential. More
Indigenous Job Creation: Article by Tony Shepherd in the AFR
30 May 2013
Business, governments and communities must work with Indigenous Australians to create sustainable jobs and inclusive, respectful workplaces and communities. More
Indigenous Employment the Key, but Employer-Directed Training Critical
20 March 2013
Jobs are only part of the solution to ending Indigenous disadvantage, BCA President Tony Shepherd says at GenerationOne event in Canberra. More
Statement of Support for Act of Recognition
13 February 2013
Parliament’s adoption of the Act of Recognition is an important step towards a referendum to achieve constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians. More
One Country, Many Voices: Update on the Indigenous Engagement Activities of the BCA and Its Members
23 November 2012
Address by BCA President Tony Shepherd to the Reconciliation Australia Government and Business Luncheon.
More
Strong Showing in 2012 BCA Indigenous Engagement Survey
23 November 2012
Indigenous engagement is fast becoming an essential aspect of business practice among Australia’s large companies. More
Praise for Indigenous Core Values
15 October 2012
BCA member companies are experiencing the two-way benefits of working with Indigenous organisations and individuals. More
Constitutional Recognition a Goal Worth Getting Right
20 September 2012
An Act of Recognition would move our country toward a referendum for recognition of Indigenous Australians in our Constitution.
More
Aboriginal Jobs Push Here to Stay
8 February 2012
Creative initiatives by Australia’s largest businesses are having an increasingly significant impact in supporting Indigenous employment and economic development. More
Cultural Recognition Promotes Economic Equality
19 January 2012
Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians could play an important role in closing economic opportunity gaps between Indigenous and other Australians. More
Remove Racism of a Previous Era from the Heart of our Constitution
8 December 2011
Full and equal recognition of Indigenous Australians our Constitution is essential, argues Graham Bradley in The Australian. More
Business Trailblazing in Indigenous Economic Engagement
9 November 2011
Business Council of Australia members are reaching out in ever larger numbers to help improve outcomes for Indigenous Australians. More
Big Business Shows Leadership in Closing the Gap
22 October 2010
BCA members are increasingly active in developing creative strategies to increase Indigenous engagement in the Australian economy.
More
Closing the Gap Delivers Community-Wide Benefits
1 July 2010
The Goulburn Valley stands to gain sizeable benefits from closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage. More
Indigenous Commitments Welcome but Economic Reform Lags
2 July 2009
The BCA welcomes the agreement by COAG today to step up efforts to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage, but concerns remain that progress in the vital business deregulation agenda is slipping. More
Push Aside the Fog and Close the Gap
31 October 2008
The Business Council of Australia has a multifaceted social impact, writes Greig Gailey in The Age. More
Business–Indigenous Collaboration: First National Report Released
4 December 2001
Many Indigenous leaders are asking business to play a central role in ensuring real jobs in the real economy. More
Indigenous constitutional recognition is overdue
26 July 2018
Meaningful recognition of Indigenous Australians is long overdue, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said today. More