For more than 20 years, Message Stick Communications has been part of the growing movement of Indigenous-owned businesses transforming Australia’s economy. As a proud Supply Nation Certified business, we know first-hand that every contract, every partnership, and every opportunity generates impact far beyond the balance sheet. Recent research from Supply Nation confirms this truth, Indigenous businesses are not only commercially competitive, they are also engines of cultural, social, and economic value.
The Sleeping Giant: A Groundbreaking Start
In 2018, Supply Nation released the Sleeping Giant report, the first social return on investment study of its kind into Indigenous businesses. The findings were powerful: for every $1 in revenue, Indigenous businesses created $4.41 in economic and social value. Much of this impact came through stronger communities, greater cultural pride, and increased opportunities for families. It was a wake-up call to government and corporate Australia: investing in Indigenous suppliers drives tangible outcomes for the nation.
The Sleeping Giant Rises: The Next Chapter
In 2025, Supply Nation built on this work with The Sleeping Giant Rises. This expanded study, involving 147 Indigenous business owners, found that Indigenous enterprises now generate an astonishing $42.6 billion in annual social value. For every $1 of revenue, $3.66 of economic and social value flows into the wider community.
The report also showed the reach of the Indigenous business sector, directly connecting around 16% of the Indigenous population,including nearly 30,000 business owners, 65,000 employees, and 61,000 family members. Importantly, the impact is not only financial. Business owners reported higher levels of pride, cultural expression, wellbeing, and stability in their households.
Why this matters for Australia
These findings reinforce what Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities have long understood: when Indigenous business thrives, so does the nation. Every partnership with an Indigenous business strengthens cultural connection, creates jobs, inspires young people, and builds intergenerational resilience.
For government agencies and corporate partners, procurement with purpose is no longer optional, it is a proven pathway to achieving measurable social and economic outcomes. For Indigenous communities, it is a validation of the power of business as a tool of self-determination.
Message Stick’s commitment
At Message Stick Communications, we are proud to stand among the Indigenous businesses contributing to this $42.6 billion social impact. Our work delivering technology solutions across government and enterprise is underpinned by the same principles highlighted in the report: creating opportunities, building capability, and driving value for our clients and our communities.
We believe that by working together, Indigenous suppliers, government, and corporate Australia, we can unlock even greater outcomes. The sleeping giant is no longer hidden; it has risen, and its strength is reshaping the Australian economy for the better.
Be part of the solution
The message is clear: partnering with Indigenous business creates more than commercial value, it creates a legacy. Message Stick Communications is proud to be part of this story, and we invite our clients and partners to join us in continuing to grow the impact of Indigenous enterprise across Australia.
Read the report here.
