About Us

The Arnhem Aboriginal Business Council (AABC) was incorporated in January 2020 with 6 founding members to meet the need to create a united voice for commercial Aboriginal-owned businesses across Arnhem Land. The ultimate goal of the AABC is to be a key influencer and advocate to Government, Industry, and advisory bodies on matters relating to Indigenous Business in the greater Arnhem Land/ Groote Eylandt region.

We collectively advocate for the need for more business to be awarded to 100% Aboriginal-owned businesses in our region to create more employment and training opportunities for local people.

Our members also discuss other challenges to operating successful businesses in our remote communities including reliable air and telecommunications service and have agreed to engage with key stakeholders to work together to improve this important area.

The Business Council operates under the endorsement and guidance of its members’ Aboriginal boards, management and leaders, both current and future. The Arnhem Aboriginal Business Council supports and acknowledges the culturally relevant and ‘two worlds’ operations of its members.

We are growing in membership and strength, and encourage other wholly Aboriginal-owned businesses to seek membership with us.

"Local employment attracts people back to their communities because there is opportunity and purpose"

Our Members

Click on a member logo to visit their website and learn ,more

Founded in 1972, the mission of the The Arnhem Land Progress Association (ALPA) is to operate successful and responsible businesses emphasising local employment, training, career pathways, customer service and safety.

These include:

Retail Stores in NT and FNQ
Registered Training Organisation
Provider of CDP Job Services
Accommodation Lodges,
Mechanical Repair Shop
Remote Technology Solutions
Manager of Licenced Venues
Concreting and Construction Business
Fine Furniture Manufacturer
Labour Hire
Education and Youth Services and
Financial Services

ALPA strives to improve the health, quality of life, and economic development of its members, giving primacy to their cultural heritage, dignity, and desire for opportunity and equality with their fellow Australians, and has contributed over $34 million into member communities in infrastructure, local employment, benevolent programs and community sponsorships and support.

Aminjarrinja Enterprises assist Aboriginal residents of Umbakumba to develop and operate enterprises that will enhance their social and economic well being.

Enterprises are across a wide range of industries / services including:

Waste Disposal
Concrete Batching
Construction and Building Maintenance
Road Sign Maintenance
Mechanical Workshop
Carpentry
Fishing Ventures
Takeaway and Mini-mart
Training, Supporting Education
Indigenous Mentoring
Aged Care
Weed Control
Resort Accommodation
Food Wholesaler
Tobacconist & Lotto Agency

Aminjarrinja Enterprises is investing over $4 million per year back into the community.

Bulungkunum Corporation strength lies not only in the words they stand by, but most importantly through the actions of their initiatives. The non-profit organisation established in 2014 realised that by working together they could overcome challenges much more efficiently, and positively contribute to building their community's resilience. Bulungkunum Corporation raise funds and promote initiatives to serve the people who need them most. They believe in taking action with urgency in order to raise public awareness about some of the most pressing issues facing their community.

What they do:

Reinforce their Commitment to Youth -by providing resources to support sporting events such as paying for flights for umpires to referee at finals matches, providing sports uniforms and contributing to the football committee for both male and female leagues.
Help other Grassroots Non-profits - by helping other community groups through providing financial assistance for them to receive donations, providing equipment and space for them to promote their business and sell their products, and assisting with storage solutions.
Provide Pathways to Employment - aiming to provide employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers through their fishing business and business hub.

Gumatj Corporation aims to achieve economic independence for the Yolŋgu people of North East Arnhem Land through the creation of employment and sustainable businesses.

The services they provide include:

Mining
Training
Construction
Construction block manufacturing
Concrete Manufacturing
Cattle Farming
Forestry, sawmilling and woodworking
Waste Processing
Land Maintenance
Housing, Building and Management
Accommodation
Shop
Cafe
Grounds Maintenance
Nursery
Cross cultural courses
Event management
Mechanical Works and
Land development services (surveying, town planning, environment management and engineering)

All profits from Gumatj Corporation activities are reinvested into growing and diversifying businesses and creating more employment opportunities. Gumatj Corporation also supports community infrastructure development, including the construction of staff and elderly housing, essential services upgrades and public facilities in the Gunyangara community. They provide a range of sponsorship and donations to not for profit organisations across the Gove Peninsula and a significant financial and in kind contribution to the running of the Garma Festival each year.

Groote Eylandt and Bickerton Eylandt Enterprises (GEBIE) is a not for profit Aboriginal Corporation assisting the Traditional Owners of Groote Eylandt and Bickerton Island to improve their social well-being. Services include:

Community Development Programs (CDP)
Civil and Construction
Facilities Management
Luxury Lodge
Fishing Charters
Cultural Tours
Camp Accommodation
Retail Leasing
Lawn and Garden Maintenance

In the 2019/20 financial year they invested in the community for a division of Indigenous Trade Assistants and six apprentices ($1.4m), a CDP Commercial Kitchen ($800,000), and the CDP Umbakumba Training Centre ($1.5m).

North East Arnhem Land Aboriginal Corporation (NEAL) is 100% owned by the Yolngu people of North East Arnhem Land. NEAL trains, employs and provides career opportunities for local people.

NEAL has capabilities in:

Environmental Services
Djama Mirri Malla (Indigenous Pathways Program)
Civil Earthworks
Arboreal Services
Horticultural Services
Land Management
Building and Fencing
Indigenous Labour Hire
Pool Cleaning and Servicing
Landscaping Services and
ALPA Community Development Program (CDP)

100% of after-tax profit is distributed equally to the 26 clan groups of North East Arnhem Land.

The Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation (RAC) represents the Rirratjngu people who are the Traditional Owners of the Gove Peninsula in North-East Arnhem Land. We administer mining royalties to build sustainable business and economic independence for the Rirratjingu community, balance with delivering social and cultural programs to advance the lives of our people.

Services include:

Mining
Training
Quarry Mining Materials
Property Investments and Developments
Nursery
Commercial Contracting
Labour Provision for Landscaping and Maintenance Work

RAC invests over $2m back into the community each year.

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) represents and serves the Aboriginal people of the homelands and 32 outstations surrounding Maningrida in West Arnhem Land. BAC is governed by a board of up to 12 directors elected by corporation members every two years. Up to ten directors are corporation members, and two are non-member, independent directors. Our mission is to improve the lifeways of our people on land and sea to preserve and grow language and culture.

Services include:

House Maintenance and Construction
Municipal and Essential Services to Homelands
Civil Works Team to Service Roads and Airstrips
Bawinanga Rangers
Maningrida Arts & Culture
BábbarraWomen’s Centre
Djómi Museum
Barlmarrk Supermarket
Wild Foods Café
Tucker Run to the Homelands
Maningrida Wild Foods
Light and Heavy Vehicle Mechanical Workshop
Maningrida Community Development Program (CDP)
Community Patrol
Money Management and
Remote School Attendance Programs (RSAS)

As a not-for-profit charitable enterprise, BAC invests its profits each year into services, programs, and infrastructure to benefit its members.

Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation (LHAC). LHAC's purpose is to enable

- all Laynha members to live long, happy, healthy lives with access to appropriate services that enhance social, physical and emotional wellbeing.

- all Laynha members to live on their Homeland and have access to appropriate housing and infrastructure at a level that is equitable and affordable for all.

-employment outcomes and long term goals for financial independence of Yolngu people.

-the organization to be sustainable and proud

In the words of Wirilma in 1988, Laynha exists to be a bridge between the Government and the people.

Services include:

Management of Laynhapuy Indigenous Protected Area by Yirralka Rangers
Homelands housing maintenance and municipal services
Primary Healthcare
NDIS provision
Aged Care
Health and wellbeing programs
Youth programs
Trauma informed care
Family violence support

As a not-for-profit charitable enterprise, 100% of LHAC's funds are reinvested into the community every year supporting funerals, top ups to funding and royalty payments to traditional owners

The Arnhem Aboriginal Business Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to their elders both past and present.