But, concerns have been raised about so called 'black cladding', when a non-Indigenous business takes unfair advantage to win otherwise inaccessible Indigenous deals.

Assistant Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said reviewing the eligibility criteria was the first step to ensuring benefits were genuinely flowing to First Nations businesses as intended.

The consultation will seek to gather perspectives around several priority reform areas, including a proposal to require Indigenous enterprises be majority Indigenous owned, managed and controlled.

“Indigenous businesses across the country have demonstrated their ability to consistently deliver high-quality work for government," Senator McCarthy said.

“This consultation process will provide valuable insight into ensuring economic benefits are flowing to First Nations people, businesses and communities.”

Under existing rules, businesses must be at least 50 per cent owned by Indigenous Australians to be eligible under federal and state-based Indigenous procurement policies. 

For the first time, spending in the last financial year with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses exceeded $4 billion.

That compared to just $300,000 spent with 12 Indigenous businesses in 2009.

Supply Nation, which verifies Indigenous companies, said the increase showed the program was having a major impact. 

“This result is a credit to the growing number of Indigenous suppliers who are energetically seeking new opportunities from the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors,” chief executive Kate Russell said.

Public consultations on the Indigenous Procurement Policy will continue until March 2024.

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