Defence has awarded more than $70 million in construction contracts to two First Nations-owned businesses, supporting explosive ordnance infrastructure upgrades in New South Wales and strengthening sovereign capability.

The announcement coincides with Indigenous Business Month, which celebrates the achievements of First Nations businesses and leaders across Australia.

More than $41.3 million has been awarded to Wamarra, a First Nations-owned and operated contractor, to deliver three new light construction explosive storage buildings, explosive ordnance decanting concrete hardstands, and infrastructure and security upgrades at Myambat Explosive Depot in NSW.

TVN On-Country, a majority First Nations-owned business, has been awarded more than $30.3 million for a similar project at Jennings Explosive Depot, also in NSW.

In April, Indigenous-owned and operated Intract was awarded an $18.3 million contract to deliver Defence’s first sovereign, fit-for-purpose missile assembly facility at Port Wakefield, South Australia.

'That these three contracts have gone to Indigenous businesses shows the maturity of the Indigenous business sector and demonstrates their important contribution to crucial Defence strategic outcomes.'

Deputy Secretary Security and Estate and Defence Indigenous Champion Celia Perkins said the completion of these projects will support one of the Government’s key capability priorities by providing guided weapons and explosive ordnance capability in NSW and SA, and also contribute to Closing the Gap.

“These facilities are crucial in helping to drive the National Defence Strategy’s commitment to boosting guided weapons explosive ordnance capability. That these three contracts have gone to Indigenous businesses shows the maturity of the Indigenous business sector and demonstrates their important contribution to crucial Defence strategic outcomes,” Ms Perkins said.

First Assistant Secretary Commercial Division, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, Racheal Kuczma, said Defence has now awarded more than $6.5 billion in contracts under the Indigenous Procurement Policy, more than half of the Government’s total contribution to the Indigenous business sector.

“These outcomes reinforce the efforts invested in pursuing positive, sustainable growth of Indigenous businesses through the Indigenous Procurement Policy,” Ms Kuczma said.

This year’s Indigenous Business Month theme, ‘Strength Through Collaboration’, reflects Defence’s ongoing engagement with First Nations businesses and leaders. Defence was recently named Supply Nation Government Member of the Year for 2025, recognising its Indigenous roundtables and co-design workshops held across the country with former Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite.

Indigenous businesses interested in working with Defence can contact the Indigenous Procurement Policy team via indigenous.procurement@defence.gov.au