Overview
Aboriginal Victorians have a long history of enterprise. Raising Aboriginal household income supports personal and collective agency and enables Aboriginal Victorians to have equal access to opportunities.
Measures under Goal 8 have improved
Only measure 8.3.2 Victorian State Government direct spend with Victorian Aboriginal businesses has updated data for the 2025 Report.
The Victorian government has spent over $56 million dollars in direct spend with Victorian Aboriginal businesses in 2025.
Closing the Gap – Relevant Outcomes and Targets for Goal 8
The National Agreement does not contain outcomes and targets that align with this VAAF goal. Victoria is pursuing more ambitious and comprehensive goals under the VAAF, which are reported on in this chapter and the Data Dashboard.
Closing the Gap - How Victoria is tracking nationally
Not applicable.
Data Note
The following measures rely on datasets that are infrequently collected. No new data was available at the time of reporting.
- Measure 8.1.1a Median household income
- Measure 8.1.1b Median equivalised household income
- Measure 8.2.1. Proportion of home owners versus other tenure types
- Measure 8.3.1. Number of Victorian business owner‑managers who are Aboriginal
Historical data for these measures is available on the First Peoples – State Relations website
8.3 Increase Aboriginal business ownership and support Aboriginal entrepreneurs
Measure 8.3.2 Aboriginal businesses that government enters into a purchase agreement with as a proportion of small to medium enterprises government enters into a purchase agreement with
What does the data say?
In 2024-25, the Victorian Government spent approximately $56.1 million with 118 Aboriginal businesses for products and services. The average spend was $475,423.73 per business.
Does the data show improvement or decline?
From 2018-19, the number of Aboriginal businesses that the Victorian Government spends with has increased, as well as the dollar amount procured. In 2018-19, the direct spend with Aboriginal businesses was approximately $11.1 million across 53 Aboriginal businesses. The average spend was $209,433.96 per business. The direct spend in 2024-25 involved nearly double the number of businesses and five times the dollar amount compared with 2018-19.
Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) Sydney rock oyster aquaculture project
SDRF enabler 4: Transfer power and resources to community
The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) has partnered closely with the GLaWAC over the past three years to establish a commercial aquaculture industry on the Gippsland Lakes. The Sydney rock oyster aquaculture trial has demonstrated significant success during this time.
Gunaikurnai people have a strong interest in leading the development of a new native shellfish industry in East Gippsland, providing real opportunities to work on Country while fostering meaningful connections to land and water. Native oysters were historically a valuable food source for Gunaikurnai, people making this initiative deeply resonant with their community. The project brings the promise of much-needed local and long-term jobs, centred on producing world-class, locally grown, sustainable seafood to meet increasing demand. '
In 2025, VFA and GLaWAC secured a $400,000 Fisheries Research and Development Corporation grant to further demonstrate its commercial potential. The Victorian Government has also provided ongoing support to develop the skills, training, and mentoring of GLaWAC on-Country workers. Additionally, a 3-year testing and assessment program has been completed to ensure the project meets the rigorous requirements of shellfish quality assurance.
Goal 8 - Victorian Government Investment and Action
The key Aboriginal Governance Forum for realising outcomes in this Domain is the Yuma Yirramboi Council.
Support for Aboriginal businesses
Victorian Government’s Social Procurement Framework (SPF)
The Victorian Government’s SPF aims to ensure value-for-money considerations in procurement are not solely focused on price but also on opportunities to deliver social and sustainable outcomes that benefit the Victorian community.
One of the objectives of the SPF is opportunities for Victorian Aboriginal people. This objective seeks two outcomes: purchasing from Victorian Aboriginal businesses and employment of Victorian Aboriginal people by suppliers to the Victorian Government.
In 2024-25, DGS continued its partnership with Kinaway Chamber of Commerce to support the SPF by providing culturally informed business support to Victorian Government buyers and advice to Victorian Aboriginal businesses to improve visibility, strengthen relationships and create opportunities for Victorian Aboriginal businesses.
Aboriginal Business Support Initiative and amendments to the Local Jobs First Act 2003
The Local Jobs First Policy, legislated through the Local Jobs First Act 2003, ensures that small and medium-sized enterprises in Victoria, including First Peoples owned and operated businesses, are given a full and fair opportunity to compete for both large and small government contracts.
Local Jobs First, through the Major Projects Skills Guarantee, also provides opportunities to Victorian apprentices, trainees and cadets to work on high-value government construction projects. This includes opportunities for First Peoples apprentices, trainees and cadets.
To advance opportunities for First Peoples businesses to participate in Local Jobs First projects, DJSIR has funded the delivery of the Aboriginal Business Support Initiative which included a range of activities such as the delivery of an Aboriginal Business Showcase. The Aboriginal Business Showcase, held on 4 June 2025 at Federation Square, brought together 246 attendees, including over 100 First Peoples businesses, 64 bidders and 57 exhibitors. The program featured government and industry leaders, cultural elements and sector-specific networking opportunities.
Recent amendments to the Local Jobs First Act 2003, which came into effect on 20 August 2025, have introduced additional objectives to inform the development of the Local Jobs First Policy and the Minister responsible for Local Jobs First in setting new requirements for projects to provide equitable opportunities for First Peoples businesses.
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