Business leadership initiative to benefit regional WA

The WA Government plans to take its successful Aboriginal Business Leadership Initiative to the Goldfields-Esperance region in 2025-26, committing $250,000 to build the capacity of Aboriginal businesses.

The initiative aims to increase Aboriginal leadership capacity and grow sustainable businesses in regional Western Australia, in a way that reflects the vision and desires of regional communities.

“The Aboriginal Business Leadership Initiative is a tailored learning and development program targeting Aboriginal community and business leaders, focused on building personal leadership skills,” Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson said.

“There is strong demand for the program model given its flexibility to deliver bespoke regional models and the unique inclusion of six months ongoing personal leadership and business development mentorship for participants.”

Since 2017, the program has been delivered in the Mid West, Goldfields-Esperance, Wheatbelt, Great Southern, South West and Gascoyne regions, collectively supporting 72 Aboriginal start-up businesses.

The initiative was previously delivered in the Goldfields-Esperance region in 2018-19.

“We are keen to support the development of emerging and existing local Aboriginal businesses in the Goldfields-Esperance region,” Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch said.

“The Aboriginal Business Leadership Initiative has been successful in helping to build Aboriginal business leaders’ skills, knowledge and networks.”

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission will lead the procurement process for a qualified and experienced Aboriginal service provider to deliver the 2025-26 program.