For procurement professionals navigating Indigenous supplier verification, Supply Nation certification represents the gold standard. With over 3,700 certified Indigenous businesses and growing, understanding this verification framework is essential for anyone involved in IPP compliance, RAP commitments, or corporate social procurement. This guide provides everything you need to know about Supply Nation certification and how to apply it in your procurement decisions.
What Is Supply Nation?
Supply Nation is Australia's leading directory of verified Indigenous businesses. Established in 2009 (originally as Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council), it connects procurement professionals with Indigenous suppliers through a rigorous certification framework that ensures genuine Indigenous ownership and control.
Key Statistics (2024)
- 3,700+ certified and registered Indigenous businesses
- $3.6 billion+ in contracts facilitated annually
- 550+ corporate and government members
- All industries represented across certification database
Supply Nation's Role
Supply Nation serves three primary functions:
- Verification: Independent certification that businesses are genuinely Indigenous-owned
- Connection: Platform matching buyers with capable Indigenous suppliers
- Capability building: Programs developing Indigenous business capacity
Understanding Certification vs Registration
Supply Nation maintains two categories of Indigenous businesses. Understanding the difference is crucial for procurement compliance.
Supply Nation Certified
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Indigenous ownership | Minimum 51% Indigenous ownership |
| Management control | Indigenous control of business operations and strategic direction |
| Heritage verification | Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage |
| Verification frequency | Annual re-certification required |
| IPP recognition | Full recognition for all IPP provisions and targets |
Supply Nation Registered
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Indigenous involvement | Indigenous involvement but below 51% ownership threshold |
| Examples | Joint ventures, businesses with Indigenous directors, Indigenous social enterprises |
| Verification | Less rigorous than full certification |
| IPP recognition | May count toward some targets but doesn't qualify for mandatory set-asides |
Key Distinction: For full IPP compliance and mandatory consideration provisions, only Certified businesses qualify. Registered businesses may support general Indigenous procurement objectives but don't satisfy mandatory requirements.
The Certification Process: How Businesses Are Verified
Supply Nation's certification process is rigorous by design. Understanding what businesses undergo to achieve certification provides confidence in the verification framework.
Step 1: Application and Documentation
Applicant businesses must submit:
- Business registration documents: ABN, ASIC records, trust deeds where applicable
- Ownership evidence: Share certificates, partnership agreements, ownership declarations
- Heritage documentation: Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity
- Financial records: Evidence of business operations and viability
Step 2: Heritage Verification
Indigenous heritage claims are verified through:
- Connection to an Indigenous community
- Acceptance by that community as an Indigenous person
- Self-identification as Indigenous
This follows the three-part definition used across Australian government programs, consistent with the Aboriginal Land Rights Act and Native Title Act frameworks.
Step 3: Ownership and Control Assessment
Supply Nation verifies:
- Majority ownership: 51%+ shares/equity held by Indigenous individuals
- Genuine control: Indigenous owners have actual decision-making authority
- Operational involvement: Indigenous participation in business management
- Independence: Business operates as a genuine trading entity
Step 4: Certification Decision
Following assessment, businesses receive:
- Certification: If all requirements are met
- Registration: If Indigenous involvement exists but ownership threshold isn't met
- Rejection: If requirements aren't satisfied (with feedback for reapplication)
Step 5: Annual Re-verification
Certification is valid for one year. Annual re-verification ensures:
- Ownership structure hasn't changed
- Business remains operational
- Indigenous control is maintained
- Compliance with certification conditions continues
Verifying Supplier Certification: A Procurement Officer's Guide
Before engaging a supplier claiming Indigenous certification, verification is straightforward.
Online Verification
- Visit supplynation.org.au
- Use the "Find a Supplier" search function
- Search by business name, location, or capability
- Confirm the business shows "Certified" (not just "Registered")
- Check the certification expiry date is current
Documentation Request
You can request suppliers provide:
- Current Supply Nation certificate (shows certification number and expiry)
- Supply Nation profile link
- Indigenous Business Enterprise (IBE) number
Verification for Tender Evaluation
When evaluating Indigenous claims in tender submissions:
- Verify certification status at submission date
- Confirm certification will remain valid through contract term
- For joint ventures, confirm the Indigenous party's certification
- Document verification for audit purposes
Why Certification Matters: Risk and Compliance
The "Black Cladding" Problem
Black cladding refers to arrangements where businesses misrepresent Indigenous involvement to access procurement opportunities. This can include:
- Non-Indigenous businesses adding Indigenous "directors" with no real control
- Nominal Indigenous ownership without genuine participation
- Joint ventures where Indigenous partners are tokenistic
- Self-declaration without verification
Supply Nation certification specifically addresses these risks through rigorous ownership and control verification.
Compliance Benefits
| Compliance Area | How Certification Helps |
|---|---|
| IPP targets | Purchases from certified businesses count toward mandatory targets |
| IPP mandatory consideration | Certified suppliers satisfy $80K-$200K consideration requirements |
| RAP reporting | Clear audit trail for Reconciliation Action Plan commitments |
| Social procurement | Verifiable Indigenous spend for corporate social objectives |
| Tender evaluation | Confidence in Indigenous claims when evaluating submissions |
Audit Protection
For Commonwealth agencies, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet monitors IPP compliance. When reporting Indigenous procurement:
- Supply Nation certification provides independent verification
- Certification numbers create audit trail
- Annual re-verification ensures ongoing validity
- ANAO audits can validate certification status at point of contract
Common Misconceptions About Certification
Misconception 1: "Any Indigenous Involvement Counts"
Reality: For IPP mandatory provisions, only certified businesses (51%+ Indigenous ownership) qualify. Businesses with lesser Indigenous involvement may be "registered" but don't satisfy mandatory requirements.
Misconception 2: "Certification Means Higher Prices"
Reality: Supply Nation certified businesses compete on price like any supplier. Certification verifies ownership, not pricing. Many certified businesses offer competitive or equivalent pricing to non-Indigenous alternatives.
Misconception 3: "Limited Capability in Specialised Areas"
Reality: Supply Nation includes certified businesses across virtually all industry sectors, from office equipment to construction to professional services. The database continues to grow, with new certifications added regularly.
Misconception 4: "Certification Is Just Self-Declaration"
Reality: Unlike self-declared Indigenous status, Supply Nation certification involves rigorous third-party verification of ownership, control, and heritage. This distinguishes it from less formal recognition.
Using the Supply Nation Platform
Searching for Suppliers
The Supply Nation platform supports search by:
- Category: UNSPSC codes and industry categories
- Location: State, region, or service area
- Capability: Keywords describing products or services
- Certification level: Certified or Registered
Supplier Profiles
Each certified supplier profile includes:
- Business overview and capabilities
- Certification status and expiry
- Contact information
- Case studies and client references (where provided)
- Geographic service area
Connecting with Suppliers
Supply Nation facilitates introductions through:
- Direct platform contact
- Networking events and trade shows
- Capability matching services (for members)
- Sector-specific supplier showcases
Categories with Strong Indigenous Representation
While Indigenous businesses operate across all sectors, some categories have particularly strong representation:
- Professional services: Consulting, training, recruitment
- Construction and facilities: Building, maintenance, cleaning
- Office products and equipment: Stationery, technology, printing
- Marketing and creative: Design, communications, events
- Environmental services: Land management, conservation
- Security services: Guarding, patrol, monitoring
- Catering and hospitality: Food services, accommodation
Dreaming Print Solutions: Our Certification
Dreaming Print Solutions is Supply Nation Certified, meeting the full requirements:
- 100% Indigenous ownership: Exceeding the 51% minimum
- Indigenous management: Genuine control of business operations
- Annual verification: Current certification maintained continuously
- Operational history: Demonstrated capability in enterprise print solutions
Our certification can be verified directly on the Supply Nation platform. When you purchase from Dreaming Print Solutions:
- Your spend contributes to IPP targets
- You satisfy mandatory consideration requirements for qualifying contracts
- You receive audit-ready documentation for compliance reporting
- You're supporting genuine Indigenous economic development
Practical Guidance for Procurement Officers
Pre-Procurement
- Search Supply Nation for certified suppliers in your category
- Verify certification is current before approaching suppliers
- Consider capability alongside certification status
- For IPP $80K-$200K threshold, document your consideration of certified suppliers
During Procurement
- Request Supply Nation certificate as part of submission requirements
- Verify certification status at evaluation stage
- Document Indigenous supplier consideration for compliance records
- Ensure certification will remain valid through contract term
Post-Award
- Record contract in Indigenous procurement reporting systems
- Maintain certification documentation for audit purposes
- Monitor supplier certification renewal for multi-year contracts
- Report spend accurately for IPP/RAP compliance
Next Steps: Finding Certified Print Equipment Suppliers
If your organisation is seeking Indigenous suppliers for enterprise print equipment, Dreaming Print Solutions offers:
- Full HP enterprise range: A3 and A4 MFDs, high-volume devices, accessories
- Supply Nation Certified: 100% Indigenous-owned, independently verified
- Competitive pricing: Enterprise pricing comparable to non-Indigenous resellers
- IPP compliance: Documentation support for government procurement requirements
- National capability: Service across Australia
Contact us on 07 3186 8299 or email benlong@dreamingprintsolutions.com.au to discuss your requirements. We're happy to provide our Supply Nation certification and support your Indigenous procurement objectives while delivering enterprise-grade HP solutions.
