From Defence Department to Rio Tinto, discover which organisations are partnering with Indigenous businesses to create lasting economic and social impact.
What’s happening: Supply Nation has announced the winners of its 2025 Supplier Diversity Awards, recognising businesses, government agencies and individuals driving growth in Australia’s Indigenous business sector at a gala dinner following the nation’s largest Indigenous business event.
Why this matters: Indigenous-owned businesses are generating $42.6 billion in social value for households, employees and families, proving that diverse procurement policies create measurable economic and cultural benefits beyond traditional business metrics.
The winners were revealed at ICC Sydney on Thursday night, capping off Connect 2025: Beyond the Horizon, which attracted 280 Indigenous businesses exhibiting at the tradeshow and more than 4,000 participants from across Australia and overseas.
Supply Nation Chief Executive Officer Kate Russell, a proud Awabakal woman, said the awards recognise excellence amongst businesses committed to diversified procurement policies.
“Our recently released research report The Sleeping Giant Rises found that Indigenous-owned businesses are generating $42.6 billion in social value for their households, employees and their families, and they create this social value purely by operating as a business,” Russell said.
Beyond dollars and cents
The social value concept measures positive changes through an Indigenous lens of wellbeing, including improved agency and control over life, expanded aspirations, financial security, pride, physical health and mental wellbeing, and stronger connections to community, culture and country.
“Indigenous businesses remain resilient, optimistic, and committed to their values, and this is driving growth and success,” Russell said. “The Supplier Diversity Awards honour organisations and individuals that are making a positive difference to prosperity and their communities.”
Corporate and government champions
Major corporate winners include Telstra-sponsored Hardy Fencing Australia taking Certified Supplier of the Year, while EY’s Amy Crookes claimed Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year. CPB Contractors won Corporate Member of the Year, and the Department of Defence earned Government Member of the Year recognition.
The individual awards highlighted emerging talent and established leaders. Steven Fordham from Blackrock Industries received the Sam Tjengala Reuben Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year, while Tammy O’Connor from KingKira Group was named Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year.
TVN On-Country claimed dual recognition, winning both Registered Supplier of the Year and the prestigious Dr Dean Jarrett Award for Outstanding Impact, recognising significant and long-lasting contributions to the sector.
Growing ecosystem shows diversity
The Indigenous business sector spans from cookies to cybersecurity, with Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Direct database now listing more than 5,800 verified Indigenous-owned businesses across every sector.
Supply Nation enabled over $4.6 billion to the Indigenous economy in 2023/24, while maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to commercial fraud and ensuring all businesses undergo regular audits for changes in company structure.
The organisation has partnered with Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) as exclusive media partner for Connect 2025, with National Indigenous Television (NITV) providing coverage of the event created by, for and about First Nations Australians.
Award winners by category
- Certified Supplier of the Year (Telstra): Hardy Fencing Australia
- Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year (Department of Industry, Science and Resources): Amy Crookes, EY
- Corporate Member of the Year (Ethan Indigenous): CPB Contractors
- Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year (Westpac): Tammy O’Connor, KingKira Group
- Registered Supplier of the Year (bp): TVN On-Country
- Procurement Professional of the Year (Killara Services): Matthew Plichta, Rio Tinto
- Government Member of the Year (Laing O’Rourke): Department of Defence
- Sam Tjengala Reuben Award for Young Entrepreneur (EY): Steven Fordham, Blackrock Industries
- Indigenous Exporter of the Year (Export Finance Australia): WV Technologies
- Supplier Diversity Partnership of the Year (ANZ): Djinda Produce and Cater Care Group
- Dr Dean Jarrett Award for Outstanding Impact (Commonwealth Bank): TVN On-Country
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