A call to Indigenise occupational wellbeing

Indigenous business is quietly becoming big business in Australia. Indigenous-owned and operated businesses are proliferating and prospering. Rising by 72% since 2006, there are now almost 14 000 Indigenous businesses, and these businesses employ 116 795 people, pay $4.2 billion in annual wages and generate $16 billion annually towards the Australian economy.¹ The rise of the Indigenous business sector holds much promise and hope, primarily as Indigenous businesses are more likely to employ Indigenous people.² In recent years, governments at all levels have introduced long term initiatives to support the continued growth of the sector, such as the Department of Industry, Science and Resources Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Business Support Roadmap³ (2020) and the National Indigenous Australians Agency Remote Jobs and Economic Development Program (2024).⁴ Despite these positive signs and supports, Indigenous businesses remain plagued by persistent deficit perspectives and historical mistrust⁵ that are amplified in the media⁶ along with a notable absence of wellbeing models to support the resilience of Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous employees to not only withstand these negative perspectives but sustain their Indigenous enterprises and enable them to reach their full potential.²