1960s
The Civil Rights movement in the USA under President Nixon produced the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (NMSDC). This was the template for the Australian Minority Supplier Diversity Council (which later became Supply Nation)

1990
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commercial Development Corporation (now Indigenous Business Australia – IBA) founded

1992
The High Court of Australia legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a special relationship to the land – a relationship that existed prior to colonisation and still exists today. This is now known as the Mabo decision.

1993
First National Indigenous Business and Economic Conference (NIBEC) conference held in Alice Springs

2008
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs held an inquiry into Indigenous Economic Development which published a report of its findings called, “Open for Business”. This report recommended to the Federal Government that an Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council (AIMSC) be established to follow the US model (NMSDC).

2009
The Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council (now Supply Nation) was established
First Connect – 13 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses exhibited

2010
Federal Government launched the Indigenous Opportunities Policy

2012
Supply Nation WA presence established – our first step towards a national footprint

2013
After successfully completing the 3-year pilot phase, AIMSC rebranded to become Supply Nation

2015
The Federal Government launched the Indigenous Procurement Policy – with Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Direct mandated as the first port of call for Federal Government procurement teams to search for Indigenous businesses to fulfil their targets

2016
Supply Nation VIC presence established

2017
Supply Nation ACT presence established

2018
Rebranded the Supply Nation logo to represent the connection of corporate, government and Indigenous businesses across Australia

2019
Celebrated Supply Nation’s 10 year anniversary at Parliament House in Canberra

2020
Supply Nation developed a range of initiatives to support the Indigenous business sector through the COVID-19 crisis, including the development of our Knowledge Hub and Capability Hub

2021
Reached over 3,000 verified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses on Indigenous Business Direct

2022
Hosted our biggest Connect event in May – welcoming over 1,800 Indigenous businesses, corporate organisations, government departments and international delegates through the doors at the Indigenous Business Tradeshow and over 1,400 guests attended the Gala Awards Dinner

2023
Appointed Kate Russell as the new Chief Executive Officer and reached over 4,500 verified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses on Indigenous Business Direct