Indigenous small business owners in Australia

Executive summary

Indigenous small business owners in urban and regional areas face unique challenges compared to other small business owners in Australia.

Often motivated by the desire to escape from poverty and provide a better future for their children, Indigenous entrepreneurs face significant hurdles even before they start a business. In general, successful entrepreneurs will require some level of education, good financial literacy and access to start-up capital.

Indigenous business relations are often constrained as a result of overt or covert discrimination and a lack of business networks. A culture of obligatory sharing often works counter to good business practice.

However, good business mentors, strong support networks and help from their family exert a positive influence on success.