Since its introduction in 2015, the Australian Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) has been a powerful driver of opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. The policy requires government buyers to consider Indigenous suppliers, with clear targets for contracts awarded each year. For organisations seeking to work with government, or to strengthen their reconciliation and supplier diversity strategies, understanding and complying with IPP requirements is essential.
At Message Stick Communications, we are both a Supply Nation Certified business and a trusted technology partner to government and enterprise. We know what it takes to meet the policy’s requirements and how to turn them into shared success.
What the IPP Requires
The IPP is designed to increase Indigenous participation in the economy through three key mechanisms:
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Mandatory set-asides
Certain contracts must be offered first to Indigenous businesses, provided they can deliver value for money. -
Mandatory minimum requirements
Each government portfolio has annual purchasing targets for Indigenous businesses. These targets are tied to the overall number and value of contracts awarded. -
Minimum Indigenous participation requirements in major contracts
Large government contracts (typically over $7.5 million in value and delivered in Australia) must include a plan for Indigenous employment and/or supplier use, with clear reporting on outcomes.
Together, these requirements make engagement with Indigenous businesses a practical, measurable, and reportable part of doing business with government.
Challenges for Businesses
While the benefits of the IPP are significant, many organisations face challenges such as:
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Understanding how set-asides and participation targets apply in practice.
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Identifying Supply Nation Certified partners that align with contract requirements.
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Embedding Indigenous participation into tender responses and project delivery.
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Reporting accurately against IPP outcomes.
This is where partnering with an experienced Indigenous business makes a difference.
How Message Stick Helps
As an Indigenous-owned and Supply Nation Certified ICT solutions provider with more than 20 years’ experience, Message Stick Communications helps government and enterprise clients deliver on the IPP by:
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Being a trusted partner of choice
With deep capability in IT and communications solutions, we can directly meet mandatory set-aside opportunities while delivering high-quality outcomes. -
Strengthening tenders and bids
We collaborate with prime contractors and partners to build strong Indigenous participation components into bids, increasing competitiveness under the IPP. -
Driving measurable Indigenous outcomes
Through our work, clients achieve both project goals and broader Indigenous employment, capability building, and supply chain development. -
Providing clarity and guidance
We help demystify IPP requirements, ensuring compliance is built into business strategy rather than treated as a last-minute add-on.
Why It Matters
The IPP isn’t just a compliance obligation, it’s a proven way to create jobs, support community, and build resilience across the Indigenous business sector. For organisations, aligning with the policy not only opens doors to government contracts, it also demonstrates a real commitment to reconciliation and sustainable procurement.
At Message Stick Communications, we understand the IPP inside and out. More importantly, we live its intent every day through the solutions we deliver and the partnerships we build. If your organisation is looking to meet IPP requirements or strengthen your Indigenous engagement, we’re here to help you turn policy into action.
