The report seeks to increase the data and analysis available on First Nations’ import and export businesses. By providing First Nations people with contextual data to guide their business decisions, it helps ensure that all Australians, including First Nations businesses, share in the benefits of international trade.

The report finds significant opportunity for the sector to benefit from reaching more customers through exports. Currently only 1.5% of First Nations businesses studied export goods, and export sales represent a small portion of total sales for most First Nations exporters studied. 

The research is consistent with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap’s reform priorities and provides First Nations people with contextual data to guide their business decisions. Making the sector’s contribution to international trade and tourism more visible also helps the sector celebrate success and encourages all businesses to consider international trade as a growth strategy. The findings of the report are based on a sample of 2,609 First Nations businesses.

Key findings

• The turnover generated by First Nations businesses from tourism has grown significantly in recent years, with increased interest from international visitors supporting this trend.
• First Nations businesses in tourism-related industries employed almost 7,000 workers and generated nearly $1 billion in turnover.
• The recent increase in international visitors participating in Indigenous cultural tourism experiences represents growth opportunities for the sector.
• First Nations exporting and importing businesses are typically larger when compared with all First Nations businesses studied, employing more staff and generating higher turnover.
• First Nations goods exporters typically generated almost 9 times more in turnover and employed over 7 times more full-time equivalent workers than all First Nations businesses studied.
• First Nations goods exporters studied generated over $670 million in turnover in 2022-23 with significant opportunities for the sector to benefit more from exporting.