As we enter a new financial year, it's important for procurement officers to be mindful of their obligations and aware of increases to the Indigenous procurement volume and value targets.

The Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) specifies that each Commonwealth government portfolio must now award 3.25% of eligible procurement opportunities to eligible Indigenous SMEs.
The Mandatory Set Aside (MSA) guidelines remain steady, that for procurement between $80,000 - $200,000, Commonwealth procuring officials must first determine whether an Indigenous SME could deliver the required service on a value for money basis,
before going to market.

In Western Australia, the Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) now mandates the award of 5% of all contracts to Aboriginal businesses and ACCOs.

For support on using the relevant procurement policy to engage an Aboriginal or Indigenous-owned business, reach out to Joe Hedger, Executive Lead ​of Government & Public Sector, or learn more about buying using the IPP and APP.

The IPS team are so excited to welcome you to our home state for Supply Nation's Connect 2026. Come and meet some of the IPS legends in real life at our booth on August 12th at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

You will meet:

• Katina Law - Co-Founder & Non-Executive Director
• Cameron Wood - Executive Director for Consulting Division
• Katie Clarke - Executive Lead of Leadership & Peak Performance
• Jackie Graham​ - Executive Lead of Workforce Transformation
• Kylie Agale - Executive Lead of First Nations Advisory and Project Strategy & Delivery
• Kristie McKenzie - Delivery Lead for Project Strategy & Delivery
• Shaquille McKenzie - Delivery Lead for First Nations Advisory

Established in 2009 to help promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, the Connect event has since grown to become Australia’s largest and longest-running annual Indigenous business gathering. The Connect tradeshow embodies the IPS Purpose to embrace opportunities to create meaningful pathways for First Nations people, businesses and communities.

The awards hold a special place in IPS's heart, as IPS was awarded Supply Nation's most prestigious award Supply Nation’s Certified Supplier of the Year for the second year in a row in 2019 and 2018.

We can't wait to see you and have a yarn about how we can work together to Create Better Futures.

Below: The IPS Team at the 2025 Connect event in Brisbane.

NAIDOC Week 2026 provided an opportunity for communities across Australia to come together to celebrate the histories, cultures, achievements and enduring contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year's theme, 50 Years of Deadly, recognised five decades of NAIDOC Week as a national celebration while honouring the generations of people whose leadership, advocacy, creativity and resilience have shaped its legacy.

The history of NAIDOC is one of determination and progress. What began as a movement for recognition has evolved into an important annual celebration that encourages all Australians to learn, reflect and engage with the world's oldest continuing cultures. While it is a time of celebration, it also reinforces the importance of truth-telling, respect and creating opportunities for genuine understanding.

At IPS, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and recognise the enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country, culture, waters, community and identity.

Throughout the week, our teams embraced the spirit of NAIDOC by creating space for meaningful conversations and shared learning. Staff from our Perth and Bunbury offices came together for a yarning circle, where our First Nations team members generously shared their stories, knowledge and lived experiences. These conversations strengthened understanding across our teams and reinforced the value of listening with openness and respect.

Following the yarning circle, we shared damper, bush fruit loaf and cupcakes, recognising that coming together over food is another way communities build relationships and connection. While simple, these moments reflected the importance of creating workplaces where people feel safe to share, learn and celebrate together.

For IPS, NAIDOC Week is more than a single week on the calendar. It reinforces our ongoing commitment to fostering culturally safe workplaces, supporting meaningful Aboriginal participation, and continuing to learn from First Nations voices throughout the year.
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As we reflect on this year's celebrations, we also look ahead. The message behind 50 Years of Deadly is not only about recognising past achievements, but about continuing the journey together through respect, curiosity, collaboration and action.

We encourage everyone to continue engaging with First Nations-led businesses, organisations, events and initiatives throughout the year. By listening, learning and celebrating together, we all have a role to play in building stronger relationships and a more inclusive future.