Indigenous Outcomes

Indigenous people have a major presence in northern Australia with approximately 78% of northern Australia subject to either Aboriginal Land Rights or Native Title, and as a result there is a high probability that proponents in northern Australia have formed relationships with Traditional Owners through either of these legislations.  Indigenous people represent 14% of the total population across the NAIF footprint compared to the national Indigenous population of 3%. This has increased 8% since 2016, including a significantly younger population than non-Indigenous people.

Harnessing the growing Indigenous population will be crucial to driving the development agenda of the north. Through equitable and sustainable development opportunities, Indigenous Australians will comprise a key part of the workforce, supported by appropriate training and education, with significant Indigenous business participation in industry supply chains.

Culture fundamental to Australia’s identity

NAIF acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are a fundamental part of Australia’s identity and tourists across Australia and the world travel to northern Australia to explore this unique experience firsthand. Traditional knowledge of Indigenous people helped establish industries such as fishing, pastoral, mining and agriculture across northern Australia.

Today, Indigenous people and their cultural knowledge has continued to support and drive these industries and broaden to other sectors such as tourism and renewable energy. Indigenous people are also pioneering new markets that support cultural and environmental sustainability like carbon offsetting through traditional fire regimes, and harvesting bush foods and medicines.

Indigenous Engagement Strategy

All proponents applying for NAIF financing are required to provide an Indigenous Engagement Strategy (IES) which set out objectives for participation, procurement and employment which reflect the regional Indigenous community. A satisfactory IES is one that provides appropriate opportunities for participation, procurement and employment which reflect the regional Indigenous community commensurate with the nature, scope and location of the project and the capacity and any existing operations of the Proponent. Summaries of Proponent strategies are available here.

Our team works with project proponents to ensure each Indigenous Engagement Strategy is deliverable, realistic, measurable and reflective of the project. We continue to work with proponents following loan approval to track and support delivery of the proponent’s strategy through our reporting process.

In addition to outcomes being achieved through proponent IESs, NAIF facilitates key relationships, driving connections across agencies and organisations to increase opportunities for greater Indigenous economic development outcomes across the North. An example of this was a joint Memorandum of Understanding was signed between NAIF, Indigenous Business Australia and the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, to use as a platform to share potential collaborating opportunities and build partnerships.