ABAI

Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative


Funded by the NSW Government,
this initiative provides business advisory
services to Aboriginal people and
Aboriginal business owners.

Supporting ABORIGINAL OWNED Businesses

in Illawarra, South East Coast & Riverina of New South Wales, Australia 

Assistance For NEW & EXISTING Businesses

The Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative supports Aboriginal owned businesses by; building capacity through greater connectivity to NSW Government Procurement, supporting business start-up, encouraging business expansion and providing access to training and job creation.

The Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative achieves these objectives by:

>> Providing local and culturally appropriate business coaching and advice to start-ups and small to medium enterprises
>> Promoting business growth through relevant training, increased confidence and advice on innovative approaches
>> Providing a professional referral pathway to wrap around support services
>> Increased alignment and connectivity to broader Government initiatives
>> Increased involvement of Aboriginal owned businesses in NSW Government projects

This initiative replaces the longstanding Aboriginal Enterprise Development Officer (AEDO) program and has been refreshed to ensure the delivery of a commercially focused business advisory initiative that includes support for existing Aboriginal owned and operated businesses to grow and diversify their business.

Illawarra ITeC delivers this service in Service Area 3 – Illawarra & South East and Riverina of New South Wales, Australia. 

About the initiative

This initiative replaces the longstanding Aboriginal Enterprise Development Officer (AEDO) program and has been refreshed to ensure the delivery of a commercially focused business advisory initiative that includes support for existing Aboriginal owned and operated businesses to grow and diversify their business.

Contact Richard Davis - ITeC's ABAI representative
Richard Davis Illawarra ITeC’s ABAI representative is a Community Elder and has been supporting Aboriginal people establish small businesses in the area for 20 years. With a wealth of business knowledge, Richard is committed to encouraging an entrepreneurial culture within the Aboriginal community.

Richard Davis’ Profile
Email Richard Davis

Contact Mark Cunningham – ABAI Advisor Riverina Murray only
Mark Cunningham is a proud Bangarang man with extensive experience in community engagement and business consultation with Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups. Mark has a broad knowledge of many industry sectors, in particular construction, education, and contract service supply

Mark Cunningham’s Profile
Email Mark Cunningham

Business plan assistance

Did you know that a good business plan will increase your chances of business success also for a Business Loan Approval?
A good Business Plan will increase your chances of business success. It will help you identify your customers, market areas, pricing strategies, financial and operational goals. Also, by doing and completing a business plan, you will better understand on how to run a business also it is an important requirement for gaining finance from financial institutions. The ABAI Officer can assist and help you put together a Business Plan.

Have you thought of Business Training?

Running your own Business can be stressful if you don’t understand the basics of operating a business, doing some sort of business training before you start a business i:e Self Employment Assistance Program (NEIS) small business course, TAFE business course, or any other small business course would benefit you greatly giving you knowledge and understanding of running and operating your own business, this is something you need to seriously think about before going onto business. Also talk to your Job Network Provider for referral to business assistance programs.

Do you need funds to start your business?

The ABAI Officer can advise you on looking at funding options for your business proposal.

Providing local and culturally appropriate business coaching and advice to start-ups and small to medium enterprises in the Illawarra, South East Coast and Riverina. 

Funded by the NSW Government, this initiative provides business advisory services to Aboriginal people and Aboriginal business owners.
Visit the NSW Government ABAI site.

Fact Sheet

Download a printable PDF fact sheet to share with others.

Information Flyer

Downloable a printable PDF information sheet

Need Help?

If you have questions about this program get in contact.