New initiative to improve First Nations women participation in business

First Nations Economics (FNE) and Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) have partnered to launch a new program to enhance First Nations women in business financial basics.

Delivered through eight place-based workshops across Australia, the Financial Foundations for Business Program will support up to 80 First Nations women to strengthen their foundational finance concepts needed to participate in business with greater confidence, clarity and choice, they said.

The workshops are designed for First Nations women who are taking early steps to explore enterprise ideas, allowing them to participate in community-led economic opportunities.

Across the series, participants will improve practical capability in the core business financial foundations, including the understanding of Australian Business Numbers (ABNs), goods and services tax (GST) and tax obligations, cash flow, and how money moves through a business.

They will also receive training on separating personal and business finances, and introductory discussions around pricing, profitability, financial discipline, and navigating institutions and systems, they said.

Importantly, the pilot will also generate place-based insights into the common barriers women face in understanding business finances, helping inform future program and product design specifically targeted at supporting First Nations women, support pathways and investment opportunities.

Commenting, FNE managing director, foundation and strategy Rick Macourt said a trusted space is needed for First Nations communities to establish a better understanding of finance in businesses.

"Understanding the business financial basics is one of the biggest confidence barriers for many women at the early stages of economic participation," Macourt said.

"This partnership creates trusted spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women can strengthen practical knowledge, ask questions openly and build the confidence to move forward on their own terms."

IBA chief executive David Knights echoed Macourt's sentiment.

"IBA is proud to support initiatives like this that empower First Nations women to build the futures they choose - strengthening core financials skills, boosting confidence, and supporting early-stage enterprise and economic participation," Knights said.

Workshops will be held across all states and territories with the first workshop taking place in Townsville, Queensland on 15 July 2026.

All registrations are now open to all eight workshops.