Our Waalitj Hub team was in Kwinana to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people looking to grow and strengthen their businesses.
With the support of the Alcoa Foundation, we host Business Builders across the Peel and Upper South West regions. These events provide a platform for Indigenous businesses to network, meet procurers and explore new opportunities by creating direct connections with industry and corporate leaders.
In 2026, we redesigned the style of our Business Builder events to create more meaningful connections between Indigenous businesses and organisations with real procurement opportunities.
Organisations with current and upcoming projects met directly with businesses that had relevant capability, helping to facilitate stronger connections, clearer conversations and more practical outcomes.
Businesses were given individual meetings with representatives from Alcoa, City of Kwinana, CIVMEC and Cleanaway, providing valuable access to organisations and decision-makers that can otherwise be difficult to secure. These conversations allowed businesses to explore upcoming opportunities, better understand procurement requirements and gain insight into tender and engagement processes.
We also provide space for businesses and corporate representatives to connect in a more informal setting throughout the day. This allowed for relationship building and conversations that extended beyond the scheduled meetings.
Waalitj Hub Business Coach Lisa Burns said the Business Builder events are increasing direct pathways between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and industry.
“These events give business owners a valuable opportunity to connect directly with organisations, build relationships and learn about upcoming opportunities. These conversations are important because they help businesses further understand what specific tender opportunities are available, while giving organisations the chance to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suppliers.
“Creating those connections helps strengthen the Indigenous business sector, supports long-term economic participation and benefits the entire community.”
The Waalitj Hub supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wanting to start, grow or sustain their businesses through a combination of in-house business coaching and access to professional support. The program is supported by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and corporate partners.
Through the Hub, First Nations business owners have access to a wide range of free services, including state-of-the-art facilities, mentoring from business coaches, industry connections, and independent professional services and training courses. Clients can receive specialised support in key business areas such as tendering, marketing, and legal. Since its establishment in 2020, the Waalitj Hub has assisted over 860 businesses in achieving their goals.
