Supply Nation, which manages Australia’s largest national directory of verified Indigenous businesses, has announced the finalists in the annual Supplier Diversity Awards.

The awards recognise individuals, businesses and government agencies making significant contributions to the Indigenous business sector.

Award winners for all 11 categories will be announced at the Connect 2025 Gala Awards Dinner on 21 August. The night will conclude Australia’s “largest and most influential” Indigenous business event connecting verified Indigenous suppliers with corporate and government buyers.

Now in its 16th year, Connect will return to the ICC Sydney. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Beyond the Horizon’.

Supply Nation CEO and proud Awabakal woman, Kate Russell, says there’s a lot to celebrate, with both the growth and diversity of the sector.

“Despite the success, challenges remain from both domestic and international drivers. Indigenous entrepreneurs still find it difficult to access capital to support start-ups or expansion,” she says.

“There is a need for more support around building business knowledge and skills as well as accessing support services and grants. Unconscious and conscious bias negatively impacts the potential of businesses. The Connect 2025 Knowledge Forum aims to address and discuss some of these obstacles.”

Over 4,000 participants are expected to attend across the two days, spanning the Knowledge Forum, Indigenous Business Tradeshow and Gala Awards Dinner.

Supplier Diversity Awards finalists

Certified Supplier of the Year

• Ethan Indigenous
• Hardy Fencing Australia
• Pipeline Talent

Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year

• Amy Crookes – EY
• Sam Muir – Coles Group
• Shinead Coleman – Transport for NSW

Corporate Member of the Year

• BAE Systems Australia
• CPB Contractors
• Woolworths Group

Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year

• Jadah Pleiter – Panku Safety Solutions
• Nicole Appleton – NLA Logistics
• Tammy O’Connor – KingKira Group

Registered Supplier of the Year

• Jabil Commercial Diving
• Mob Jobs
• TVN On-Country

Procurement Professional of the Year

• Mark Harrington – CPB Contractors
• Matthew Plichta – Rio Tinto
• Samuel Hampson – Sodexo Australia

Government Member of the Year

• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Department of Defence
• Main Roads Western Australia and the Transport Portfolio Aboriginal Engagement (TPAE) branch

Sam Tjengala Reuben Award recognising Young Entrepreneur of the Year

• Associate Professor Rick Macourt – First Nations Economics
• Steven Fordham – Blackrock Industries
• Tara Croker – Yaala Sparkling

Indigenous Exporter of the Year

• Complete Business Solutions (Australia)
• Kakadu Organics
• WV Technologies

Supplier Diversity Partnership of the Year

• ARA Indigenous Services and Woolworths Group
• Djinda Produce and Cater Care Group
• MobReady and Ventia

Dr Dean Jarrett Award recognising Outstanding Impact

Winner to be selected from finalists across all award categories.