The privacy and security of our customers is paramount. In light of the recent Optus data breach in the news, we want to assure our customers that we are doing everything we can to keep our customer data secure and protected. This includes reviewing our customer identification procedures and keeping up to date with developments arising in the market.
Our systems have not been compromised as a result of the Optus data breach and keeping customer information safe is a priority for us.
We respect the privacy of our customers and are committed to maintaining the privacy and accuracy of any personal information collected.
Find out more about IBA’s Privacy Policy here, and if you have any questions, please talk to your business relationship manager, home loan officer or contact us.
When Elandra and Azra moved into their Rockhampton QLD home in April this year, they couldn’t be happier with their well-deserved purchase.
It was the first time the recently married couple had lived together. So reluctant were they to spend money on renting while they reached their savings goals, that Elandra continued to live with her parents and Azra boarded, until they bought their home.
Kabal Barada woman Elandra, who works as a Registered Nurse at an emergency medical centre says, “We got engaged and then we got to start looking for a place to live. We heard about IBA and registered an EOI.”
It was several months before they were added to the waiting list, but Elandra says that continued support from IBA throughout kept them going.
“IBA told me I had to get my savings up before I could go any further. So, then we had a goal in mind and IBA helped us with strategies to get there. IBA even checked in with us after a few months to see how we were going and trying their very best to help us reach the goals.”
They also used this time to go to open homes and see what they could buy with their budget.
The savvy couple chose a future-proofed home with lots of room to grow.
They acknowledge that IBA’s low deposit requirements helped them get the home they dreamed of. “Without IBA we would have had to wait much longer before we could buy what we wanted. With IBA we were able to buy somewhere to move right in,” says Elandra.
Elandra and Azra don’t do things by halves - and got married the same fortnight as their completion. They moved in after they got back from honeymoon and are excited with this start to begin the rest of their lives together.
“Every cent we spend is going to our mortgage. It’s really nice, knowing it’s going to our future, not paying someone else’s mortgage.
“Now we can build our lives together - and if we want to, we can build on the home.”
While the home didn’t require any immediate work, Teacher’s Aid Azra is a keen gardener and in their spare time they’re working on the outside area and making it an entertaining space.
“IBA was really helpful throughout and was really in our corner,” says Elandra. “If anyone else is thinking about buying a home through IBA I would say - go for it. We didn’t think we would get this beautiful home. If that’s your goal, you can achieve it.”
The IBA newsletter is out now. This edition celebrates Indigenous Business Month, and you can read the newsletter here. 
This issue includes:
If you’d like a copy direct to your inbox every 2-3 months you can subscribe to the newsletter here.
Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) launched their 2nd Impact Report at an event in Sydney on 6 October 2022. Joined by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP, and a panel of customers, IBA celebrates by hearing directly from those impacted through home ownership, business, and investments.
The framework of the report is an innovative initiative designed to provide a baseline for understanding IBA’s external footprint and the ripples of impact from IBA’s activities on the lives of First Nations people in Australia.
The report shows that each of IBA’s core programs (home ownership, business, and investments) had overall significant positive economic, social and cultural impacts on the people IBA serve.
IBA sought to better understand how our customers define “success” and ultimately to confirm if IBA was a key enabler and facilitator of achieving those aspects that make up how a full experience of life is assessed, that is, from economic, social and cultural perspectives.
The report provides five key recommendations that can assist IBA to maximise its positive impact, minimise the negative impacts and help continue to enable and support Indigenous-led economic advancement.
Gija woman Kia Dowell is the Executive Director of Strategy & Innovation at IBA. Kia has been involved from the beginning to create the framework for the impact strategy. She notes the importance of investing in First Nations people to create continuing impact and intergenerational wealth.
“The decisions we make today will impact the lives of generations to come.
“The ability to recover, rebound and continue to have impact that First Nations communities have shown is testament to our resilience and tenacity to overcome hardship and come out stronger.
“IBA are invested in the long-term success of our customers so that positive change can continue to flow on for generations to come.
“This report reveals how IBA provides a doorway to the economy for peoples who have traditionally faced exclusion from such opportunities. But the report recognises that it is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who walk through the door and make the most of their opportunity. Indeed, they are the stars of the report.”
Natt Smith went through the IBA process and bought her first home in 2002, with an IBA home loan. As her property grew in value, it provided her security and economic independence.
‘Home ownership was the grounding that’s supported me to do all that I do including the confidence to get better jobs.’
‘I came to understand that my home could be a source of equity, that it could create future wealth and options.’
‘It has really started a whole new life cycle for me. And what I didn’t realise is that it’s not just about owning a home, it’s actually about making an investment in bigger things – in a future.’
The Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP, says IBA is one of the key ways for government to deliver business support and improve access to opportunities for First Nations business owners and first home buyers.
IBA has played an important role in helping First Nations people navigate through a difficult few years of COVID, fires and floods.
“IBA is a proven model for generating economic independence by investing in people, places, and ideas – the latest Impact Report shows this.
“I want to see IBA continue to assist with increased home ownership, increased business ownership, and economic growth and independence for Indigenous Australians.”
Find a copy of the report on a website highlighting the key findings: iba.gov.au/impact-report-2021
Images from the launch event are available.
Media contact: Tara Toohill 02 9207 6362 or tara.toohill@iba.gov.au
Celebrating Indigenous Business Month and the theme, “Actions Today, Impact Tomorrow”, IBA will host a panel session emphasising the impacts of partnerships.
Hosted by Arrernte woman Stella de Cos, Director, Community & Customer Experience, IBA, panellists will include:
Aligned with a date of significance, the return of Uluru to its Traditional Owners, the discussion will be around how our partnerships grow business opportunities and create thought leadership, enable economic empowerment, and contribute to changing the narrative for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Join our Strong Women Strong Business monthly Lunch & Learn on Thursday 13 October at 12.00pm AEST. This month we are exploring Stepping into your personal power. 
We are fortunate to be joined by Caroline Kell, Founder and Managing Director Blak Wattle Coaching & Consulting.
Caroline is a proud sovereign Mbarbrum women and a former counsellor with over 5 years’ experience working alongside Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities to drive outcomes in truth telling, treaty, health, and mental health reforms.
She is the founder of Blak Wattle Coaching and Consulting a 100% Indigenous owned agency. She coaches and mentors First Nations leaders and business owners to feel safe in the workplace, to have big goals and take up space.
Caroline is also a bold and conscience facilitator and thinker who draws on the power of connection, evidence and stories. Topics include, the power of stories, Aboriginal social emotional wellbeing principles and understanding Burnout from a First Nations perspective.
If you have any questions contact us at womeninbusiness@iba.gov.au or you can see the schedule for the rest of the year.
Our 2022-23 Corporate Plan has been published.
IBA acknowledges the continuing resilience, strength and connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this nation. We recognise the existence of IBA represents different things to different people and in our 2022-23 Corporate Plan set out our plan to deliver more positive outcomes by supporting our customers.
Download a copy of the IBA Corporate Plan 2022-23 (6 MB)
Vanessa Elliott is a Jaru woman from the Kimberley and desert region. Her bush name is Wunyadee and skin name Nanjilli / Nungaray with strong kinship and cultural connections in WA, NT, SA and QLD. 
She joined the IBA Board in May 2020.
We caught up with Vanessa for a quick yarn to get to know her better.
Why did you join the IBA board? What do you hope to achieve in your time?
I joined the IBA board because time showed me poverty is more than material deprivation; it’s also about structural and systemic exclusion.
So I choose a purpose driven life, to occupy spaces and usher in diversity and inclusion so all First Nations and other displaced peoples can access opportunities and build their own legacy
What do you hope to see happen with Indigenous affairs in the next 5-10 years? 50 years from now?
5-10 years - that our elders live longer and that First Nations’ languages, culture and histories are integrated into corporate Australia, public policy and is seen, heard and valued in our Australian community.
50 years - That our national narrative and policy shifts from colonial and deficit control. Where more First Nations are global citizens with strong cultural identity giving them a unique value proposition and strength to open doors in local and global market place.
Whats your favourite place in Australia and why?
Near a beautiful sunset and the water. When you got culture activated inside you, and great company around you, the creator shows you everyday in the most majestic ways that the best is yet to come.
Where do you feel most connected and why?
To my Jaja’s ( mother’s mother) story and legacy because we spent lots of time together and she taught me the power of now, the purpose of belonging, and the right to own my own destiny.
Which of IBA’s values stands out to you and why? [Respectful, Connected, Informed, Responsive and Invested]
Connected. Connection is the pre-requisite value to achieve the rest.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
It’s time for First Nations to arise and be all that you were predestined to be.
On the first Thursday of every month we gather for a lunch time session to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. 
This month we are exploring Procurement and are fortunate to be joined by Kristal Kinsela, Indigenous business leader and owner of Kristal Kinsela Consulting Pty Ltd.
Kristal is a published author, trusted advisor to leading global organisations and descendant of both the Jawoyn and Wiradjuri nations, Kristal brings lived experience and more than 16 years of business expertise to every partnership.
She works closely with corporate and government leaders to articulate their supplier diversity vision, change organisational culture, develop procurement policies, action their plans and connect with talented Indigenous businesses.
Email womeninbusiness@iba.gov.au with any questions.
Register for Strong Women Strong Business Lunch and Learn.
See future Lunch and Learn sessions.
Get your passport ready! Are you an IBA business customer with export potential? We have an exciting opportunity for you!
Four Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander business customers will be chosen to attend the 2022 World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) in Colombia on 26-28 October 2022.
The WIBF aims to connect, inspire and support organisations and entrepreneurs in the sustainable development of Indigenous businesses. The forum’s goal is to increase participation in the global economy by providing opportunities to broaden markets and increase Indigenous prosperity through economic growth.
IBA will cover WIBF 2022 registration and flights, accommodation and transfers specifically related to forum attendance for four of our business customers.
Find out more about eligibility and how to apply. Terms and conditions apply.
Applications close COB Wednesday 24 August 2022.
For more information email iba_corporate@iba.gov.au
