The Australian Government is committed to an international trade and investment agenda that drives economic growth for all Australians, including Australia's First Nations people and their communities.
Greater First Nations participation in Australia's foreign investment activities will be transformative, supporting intergenerational wealth creation for First Nations people. This is particularly important as Australia transitions to net zero.
Are you a foreign investor looking to invest in Australia?
Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the world's oldest continuous living culture, with a profound connection to the land, water, and skies. Their insights and traditions hold immense value for projects, particularly renewable energy initiatives, offering innovative approaches to climate resilience and sustainable development.
To successfully invest in Australia, it is essential to understand and engage meaningfully with Australia's First Nations people and communities. Effective partnerships with First Nations communities are pivotal to achieving sustainable, equitable, and culturally appropriate outcomes.
Why engage with First Nations Australians?
1 Sustainable Innovation through Traditional Knowledge
- Wisdom of Country: Projects can benefit from First Nations peoples' deep connection to Country, offering millennia-long knowledge of land and water management.
- Climate Resilience: Engaging Traditional Owners can enhance strategies for environmental sustainability, informed by their intimate understanding of climate adaptation.
2 Strengthened Social and Economic Outcomes
- Social Licence: Early and respectful engagement builds trust, ensures compliance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, and streamlines project approvals. This is important because many projects are on Australian land or projects where Traditional Owners have a legal interest or right.
- Economic Empowerment: Project investments can support job creation, skills development, and intergenerational economic independence in First Nations communities.
3 Equitable Partnership Models
Co-Design and Ownership: First Nations organisations are increasingly involved in co-design, co-ownership, and benefit-sharing of renewable energy projects, such as the East Kimberley Clean Energy Project and the Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation's collaboration with ACEN.
You can explore other First Nations clean energy partnerships occurring in Australia through the First Nations Clean Energy Network's project tracker.
How do you engage?
Engaging with the right First Nations stakeholders is crucial. Collaboration typically begins at the local level, guided by State or Territory government agencies.
Contact State and Territory Investment Agencies:
- Trade + Investment Queensland
- Invest & Trade Western Australia
- Investment Territory
- Investment NSW
- Invest Spoth Australia
- Canberra.com.au
- Tasmanian Government
For broader inquiries related to doing business in Australia, please contact Austrade: Do Business with Australia
Further Resources
To better understand the principles of working with First Nations peoples, explore these key resources:
- First Nations Clean Energy Network's Best Practice Principles for Clean Energy Projects
- First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance's Dhawura Ngilan Business Investor Initiative
- Clean Energy Council's Leading Practice Principles First Nations Renewable Energy Projects
- The Australian Government's Closing the Gap
- The Australian Government's First Nations Clean Energy Strategy
Through the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy (FNCES), launched Friday 06 December 2024, the Australian Government aims to advance self-determined economic participation, equitable partnerships, and reliable access to clean energy for First Nations communities. This is a critical moment to place Country and Culture at the heart of Australia's transition to net zero.