Western Australia accounted for $2.1 billion in Indigenous procurement spend in 2024-25, representing 36 per cent of total national spend with Supply Nation suppliers, according to a new report launched Thursday in Boorloo/Perth.
The report, State of Indigenous Business WA Insights, was launched at the Waalitj Hub in Lathlain by Supply Nation chief executive Kate Russell.
Ms Russell said the WA report builds on Supply Nation's national procurement data and focuses specifically on the opportunities and challenges facing Indigenous businesses in Western Australia.
"Every year, Supply Nation launches our State of Indigenous Business Sector report, which looks at the national procurement trails, how much is being spent, where and by who," she said.
"That report found that last financial year, in 24-25, we set a new national record. It had over $5.83 billion for contracts were spent between our members and our suppliers."
She said the WA report "dives deeper into that national data" and "looks specifically at the West Coast".
"It looks at the insights, the opportunities, and the challenges facing the West Coast mob," Ms Russell said.
"It showcases some of the deadly local businesses, and it's our hope that it creates a real sense of pride and opportunity for Indigenous businesses."
The report states that Western Australia continues to play a critical role in Australia's Indigenous business ecosystem, with procurement activity in the state accounting for more than a third of all national spend with Supply Nation suppliers in 2024-25.
Ms Russell said the findings confirmed the scale of WA's role.
"Our research has shown that the total spend in WA by Supply Nation members was $2.1 billion," she said.
"Thirty-six per cent of the national amount. Confirms that WA continues to play a critical role in Australia's Indigenous business sector."
The report identifies mining as the dominant driver of Indigenous procurement in the state, accounting for approximately $1.1 billion in spend during 2024-25.
It also finds that WA suppliers received more high-value contracts than any other state or territory, with 306 transactions valued at more than $1 million.
Another of the report's major findings is the strength of female-owned Indigenous businesses in Western Australia.
The Supply Nation CEO said WA is the national leader for procurement with female-owned Indigenous businesses.
"They received a total of $708 million worth of procurement spend, which is almost half all the spend with female-owned Indigenous suppliers," Ms Russell said.
The printed report states that female-owned Indigenous businesses received 73 per cent of WA's transactions over $1 million, with the mining sector accounting for $572 million.
Ms Russell said that result reflected the growing economic influence of Aboriginal women in business.
"That's an incredible achievement, and it shows that Aboriginal women are having a profound impact and continuing to drive economic power, and the greater self-determination in the state, as they have done for generations," she said.
The report also points to ongoing structural barriers.
It states that small- to medium-sized enterprises accounted for 87 per cent of total WA procurement spend, but that Supply Nation members showed a clear preference for suppliers with annual revenues above $10 million, suggesting smaller and younger businesses face barriers to accessing high-value opportunities.
It also highlights a geographic imbalance, with $1.6 billion directed to city-based suppliers compared with $546 million to rural and remote businesses.
The report says procurement was more likely to flow to certified suppliers, reinforcing the importance of verification, capability building and broader participation across the sector.
Ms Russell said Supply Nation had increased its focus on Western Australia in recent years, including reopening its state office and increasing staffing levels.
She said Supply Nation now has 84 members headquartered in Perth and 1,244 suppliers based in the state, and is bringing its Connect event to Boorloo in August.
"There's a lot to celebrate in WA," she said.
"There's also significant opportunities for increased contracts. Supply Nation is committed to showcasing and supporting the best in the West."
Supply Nation is a national organisation that works to connect Indigenous businesses with corporate, government and non-profit buyers across Australia. Through its supplier verification system and membership network, it supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses to participate in procurement supply chains while helping organisations increase their engagement with Indigenous suppliers.
