Welcome to the first Bulletin for 2026!
Recent News
Launch of the First Nations Capability Catalogue for the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The Ambassador for First Nations People, Justin Mohamed, led a First Nations business delegation to the UAE in January. Delegates included First Nations business leaders Brian Bero and Leah Armstrong, both members of the Australian Government's pilot First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group.
During the visit, Ambassador Mohamed launched the First Nations Capability Catalogue for the UAE at the Fletcher International Exports stand at Gulfood 2026. The visit coincided with the Minister for Trade and Tourism's visit to promote Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement outcomes.
The Capability Catalogue profiles export-ready First Nations businesses for prospective buyers in the UAE. Its release marks another step forward in the Australia–UAE partnership, building on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the CEPA First Nations Action Plan launched in November 2025.
First Nations Trade and Investment CEO and Director Network
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is establishing a First Nations Trade and Investment CEO and Director Network. The Network is a key outcome under pillar two of the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement First Nations Action Plan, which was launched in November 2025.
The Network will build and strengthen cultural and business relationships between First Nations business leaders and international stakeholders, including business leaders in the United Arab Emirates, India and Southeast Asian markets.
The Network will:
- Promote First Nations trade and investment interests internationally.
- Help inform domestic understanding of international trade and investment opportunities.
Members of the Network will have opportunities to attend trade and investment related events in Australia, particularly related to key regions including the UAE, South Asia and Southeast Asia, and receive information about major events overseas that might be of interest.
CEOs and Directors from First Nations businesses, representative bodies and organisations are invited to apply. If you are a CEO or Director and would like to join, please fill in the following form to express your interest: First Nations Trade and Investment CEO and Director Network - Expression of Interest.
Upcoming Webinars
Workshops and Webinars with Austrade's Go Global Export Academy
The Go Global Export Academy is kicking 2026 off with some practical and informative workshops and webinars. An Export Essentials 3-part workshop series will start on 17 February 2026, and is designed to build your confidence in international trade:
- The Navigating Incoterms workshop on 17 February 2026 will help you to understand how to select and apply incoterms correctly to reduce risks.
- The Getting Export Sales Contracts Right workshop on 24 February 2026 will teach you how to structure export sales contracts to support smooth international transactions
- The Managing Export Payments Risk workshop on 6 March 2026 will explore payment methods to help secure payment and protect cash flow
Click on the links above to register.
Upcoming Events, Programs and Grant Opportunities
Supply Nations Indigenous Business Trade Fairs: Adelaide and Melbourne (17-19 February)
Supply Nation is hosting two Indigenous Business Trade Fairs in February:
- 9:00AM-12:30PM on 17 February at the Adelaide Convention Centre in Adelaide/Tarndany
- 9:00AM-12:30PM on 19 February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne/Naarm
Registration for exhibitors has now closed, but free tickets are available for attendees. To register, visit the Indigenous Business Trade Fair Adelaide or Indigenous Business Trade Fair Melbourne Trade Fair website.
Queensland Government Market Accelerator Program: Applications Closing Soon
The Queensland Government invites applications from Queensland businesses for the Market Accelerator Program, a targeted grants initiative designed to help Queensland exporters secure new international contracts.
The Market Accelerator Program offers up to $30,000 of matched funding to emerging, new-to-export and growing and experienced exporters to respond to global opportunities and expand into new export markets. The funding will help organisations accelerate growth, build resilience and leverage off investment opportunities that may arise from the project. Applications close at 1pm on 4 March 2026.
For more information, including eligibility criteria and application guidelines, head to the Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) website.
Austrade Landing Pad Opportunities for Fintech, Maritime and Digital Health – Vietnam, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Austrade has several upcoming Landing Pad opportunities that may be of interest to First Nations businesses and entrepreneurs operating in the technology sector. These programs are designed to support Australian tech scaleups exploring international markets and building global commercial connections.
The Southeast Asia Landing Pads Digital Health Bootcamp is a 5-week online digital health bootcamp supporting Australian digital health companies exploring expansion into Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Delivered through Austrade's Go Global Toolkit, the program provides practical market insights, regulatory and contracting guidance, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Expressions of interest close on 18 February 2026 and can be submitted via the Southeast Asia Landing Pads: digital health bootcamp online form.
The Vietnam Fintech & Regtech Landing Pad Immersion Program seeks to support Australian fintech and regtech scaleups seeking to expand into Vietnam by providing insights into the local regulatory environment, market dynamics, and commercial pathways, and by connecting participants with Vietnamese financial institutions, regulators, customers, and investors. A virtual program will take place from 17 March to 10 April 2026, followed by an in-market program in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi from 14-16 April 2026. Expressions of interest close on 2 March 2026 and can be submitted via the VN Fintech Regtech EOI website.
The Singapore Landing Pad Maritime Tech Program will support Australian companies with maritime-related technologies and solutions to engage with Singapore's maritime ecosystem, including operators, ports, regulators, and investors. An in-market program will take place in Singapore from 20 to 23 April 2026. To express your interest, please email landingpads@austrade.gov.au before 23 March 2026.
Aboriginal Investment NT Community Impact and Innovation Grants
Aboriginal Investment NT (AINT) has opened a new round of Community Impact and Innovation Grants to boost equity in Indigenous communities across the Territory. Grants of $300,000 to $1 million are available to support medium-scale Aboriginal community-led projects in the Northern Territory. Submissions for round two of the grants are now open and will close on 30 April.
Nominations for Supply Nation 2026 Supplier Diversity Awards Now Open
Nominations for Supply Nation's 2026 Supplier Diversity Awards are now open. The awards recognise individuals and organisations making outstanding contributions to the Indigenous business sector, and are open to Supply Nation Registered and Certified Suppliers and corporate, government and not-for-profit members (note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are advised that this awards program contains the names of deceased persons, used with the permission of their families).
Finalists and winners will be celebrated at the Connect 2026 Gala Awards Dinner on 12 August at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in Perth/Boorloo. Awards are judged by an independent judging panel and audited by an independent audit firm.
Categories include:
- Certified Supplier of the Year
- Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year
- Corporate Member of the Year
- Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year
- Registered Supplier of the Year
- Procurement Professional of the Year
- Government Member of the Year
- Young Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year (Sam Tjengala Reuben Award)
- Indigenous Exporter of the Year
- Supplier Diversity Partnership of the Year
- Dr Dean Jarrett Award recognising Outstanding Impact