Our world-leading registration and verification processes ensure that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses on Indigenous Business Direct are not only Indigenous owned but are audited annually to ensure continuing compliance.

Supply Nation receives daily updates from ASIC regarding any changes to business ownership which allows us to conduct real-time audits. This reinforces the integrity and accuracy of Indigenous businesses listed on Indigenous Business Direct.

Once you have applied to register your business on Indigenous Business Direct, we take the following steps to verify your eligibility:

1. Assess your online application for accuracy
2. Check your ABN/ASIC for company name and current registration
3. Check ownership document to identify owners – ensuring that at least 50% of the business is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander owned
4. Verify owners and Confirmation of Aboriginality documents
5. Conduct annual / spot check audits to ensure the business still meets our criteria.

If your business is registered on Indigenous Business Direct and majority owned, controlled and managed by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people – you may be eligible to become a Supply Nation Certified Supplier.

Our experienced team will review your business – in addition to the above – to ensure that your business meets the eligibility criteria for Certification:

1. Verify that Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people own at least 51% of the business by checking the provided Confirmation of Aboriginality documents against share structures registered with ASIC and / or other documentation (such as partnership documents or trust deeds)
2. Verify that the business is managed and controlled by Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people by:
   • Reviewing information provided in the application form
   • Reviewing governance documents
   • Completing a certification interview/site visit.

Learn more about the eligibility requirements for Registered and Certified Suppliers.

Registration of a Joint Venture

For a Joint Venture to be registered by Supply Nation, the verification team will apply specific criteria to determine eligibility. Read more about the registration criteria here.

Progress to Joint Venture certification

Whilst you may have a Joint Venture already registered by Supply Nation, in order to progress to certification, your Joint Venture will need to meet more specific criteria. The certification team will apply this specific criteria to determine eligibility for certification. Read more about the certification criteria here.

Share structures and share ownership requirements

The following are Supply Nation ownership requirements:

• Sole proprietorship / trader
  100% ownership by an Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander person
• Partnerships 
  • Registered: 50% of each class of partnership interest must be owned by an Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander person and such ownership must be reflected in the partnership agreement
    Certified: 51% of each class of partnership interest must be owned by an Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander person and such ownership must be reflected in the partnership agreement
• Corporation / company
  • Registered: Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander person(s) must own at least 50% of each class of ordinary voting shares issued and at least 50% of each class of all other shares issued.
  • Certified: Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander person(s) must own at least 51% of each class of ordinary voting shares issued and at least 51% of each class of all other shares issued.
• Trust
  • Registered: at least 50% owner(s) of securities or assets held in trust are Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander person(s).
  • Certified: The majority beneficial owner(s) of securities or assets held in trust are Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander person(s).

Supply Nation audit process

Most businesses listed on Indigenous Business Direct are audited annually or through spot check audits to ensure that they still meet all criteria.

The veracity and integrity of the businesses on Indigenous Business Direct is essential to Supply Nation. We only accept and showcase businesses that have provided proof of their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ownership.

Do you have information that suggests a business should not be listed?

Supply Nation requests that any concerns are reported to us as a first action.

All feedback is thoroughly investigated by Supply Nation following a process set out in the complaints policy in our Code of Conduct.

If Supply Nation finds that a business should not be registered, the business will be immediately de-registered. In cases where there may have been fraudulent activity leading to registration, legal proceedings, or referrals to the police in relation to suspected criminal offences, may also be considered.

If you wish to report a business, please email info@supplynation.org.au.