NBN to support creation of First Nations jobs

NBN is helping support the creation of First Nations jobs by switching to electricity supplied by Australia’s first Indigenous-owned energy retailer.

Through a $1.6 million contract, nbn is now being supplied with electricity from Yurringa Energy following a competitive national electricity procurement process to power its major network operation sites across Queensland and South Australia.

“The nbn network supports domestic, commercial, industrial, and essential service sectors across Australia and Yurringa Energy is honoured to power their operations in Queensland and South Australia,” Shane Wilkins, the chief executive at Yurringa Energy, said.

“We’re equally excited to work with local communities as we grow our workforce and strengthen our impact.”

Under the electricity retail agreement, nbn is purchasing around 8 Gigawatt Hours (GWh) per year of electricity, as part of its commitment to drive digital capability in partnership with First Nations people and explore ways to deliver social and economic benefits for communities.

The agreement aims to help nbn contribute to a more inclusive and equitable national economy and is aligned to the national First Nations Digital Inclusion Roadmap which aims to address key barriers to digital inclusion.

The Roadmap calls for improved resilience of power supplies and more First Nations representation across the telecommunications sector.

“NBN Co has demonstrated what corporate leadership and investment in First Nations economic advancement can look like,” Daniel Briggs, Managing Director at Yurringa Energy, said.

“Recognising and valuing the importance of contributing the growth of Indigenous engagement in the energy industry is significantly impacting on workforce diversity and growth.”

Yurringa Energy became Australia’s first Indigenous-owned energy retail company when it launched in Victoria in August 2024. The electricity retail supply agreement with nbn marks its first foray outside its home state.

The company aims to be the largest employer of First Nations people and has committed to a goal that at least 50 per cent of its workforce will be comprised of First Nations people.

nbn’s fifth Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP V), which is planned to be in effect until 2026, emphasises connecting more communities and enhancing First Nations people’s digital inclusion through customised product offerings and educational programs.

nbn is also supporting digital inclusion and helping unlock economic and social benefits for First Nations people through the installation of 111 community Wi-Fi services in more than 100 First Nations communities around Australia.

These facilities aim to enable access to essential services such as telehealth, MyGov, online education and mentoring services.

Following the announcement of $20 million grant funding from the Commonwealth Government in February 2024, nbn is expanding its existing Community Wi-Fi program to a further 23 remote First Nations communities, with 19 of these now connected.

Gavin Williams, Chief Development Officer Regional and Remote and executive sponsor of nbn’s fifth Reconciliation Action Plan, said high-speed, broadband enabled by the nbn network helps to support economic, social and employment outcomes.

“By partnering with Yurringa Energy we’re not only getting a good commercial deal, importantly we’re playing a role in transformative change by contributing to a more inclusive and equitable economy,” he said.