Australia Indigenous Procurement Policy (May 2026) 1.8: Verify Indigenous enterprise status: rely on the Indigenous Business Register, Supply Nation's Indigenous Business Direct or the ORIC register, and where a business is on none of them document the steps taken to confirm it meets the definition (statutory declaration, certificates or letters of Indigeneity from a recognised Indigenous organisation, chamber of commerce listings); when using CPR Exemption 16 also confirm the enterprise is an SME

What does 1.8 require?

Before treating a supplier as an Indigenous enterprise the procuring official checks the recognised lists: the Indigenous Business Register being established in 2026-27 for the strengthened criteria, Supply Nation's Indigenous Business Direct for enterprises meeting the original criteria (eligible through the transition year), and the ORIC public register. Where a business appears on none of them the official must record the steps taken to be satisfied that it meets the definition, for example by obtaining a statutory declaration from the owners that the enterprise meets the definition, certificates or letters of Indigeneity from a recognised Indigenous organisation such as a land council, or confirmation through an Indigenous chamber of commerce or other business list. Where Exemption 16 of Appendix A to the CPRs is used to contract directly, the official must also confirm that the enterprise meets the CPR definition of an SME.