Why your procurement decisions need to align with policy — or risk reputational fallout.
If you’re in procurement, you’ve heard of the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP). You might’ve even referenced it in your last board report. But let’s cut through the formality for a moment.
If your procurement team can’t clearly show how you're meeting IPP targets, then you’re not just falling short — you’re potentially exposing your organisation to non-compliance, missed ESG benchmarks, and reputational risk.
And let’s be honest: in 2025, that’s not good enough.
So, what is the IPP really about?
The Indigenous Procurement Policy was introduced by the Australian Government in 2015 to increase engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. It’s more than a suggestion — it’s a clear directive that requires agencies (and increasingly, large corporates) to:
-Meet percentage-based procurement targets with First Nations businesses
-Report on spend, not just “intent”
-Prove those businesses are genuinely Indigenous-owned and operated (preferably Supply Nation or equivalent verified)
-Integrate Indigenous businesses into core procurement categories, not just ad hoc or symbolic ones
But here’s what’s happening on the ground:
Too many organisations are:
-Relying on the same one or two Indigenous suppliers year after year
-Using "pass-through" arrangements that don’t create real community benefit
-Missing their annual IPP or RAP procurement targets — and scrambling to fill the gap at the end of the financial year
-Lacking accurate data or reporting tools to even measure First Nations spend properly
The result?
Procurement teams get stuck in reactive mode, RAP teams lose momentum, and your brand’s commitment to reconciliation starts to feel like lip service.
How WePlenty Helps Close the Gap
WePlenty is a First Nations-led procurement platform and marketplace designed specifically to help government and corporate buyers meet IPP and RAP obligations — not just in theory, but in action.
Here’s how:
Verified First Nations suppliers across major categories — from office supplies and PPE to logistics, catering, and consulting. ERP-integrated procurement system for real-time tracking and reporting. End-to-end compliance visibility — so you can report spend with confidence. Support and education for procurement and RAP teams. Bulk buying power + local community engagement — because good commercial practice and social impact can go hand in hand
Time to Move from “Intent” to “Action”
It’s no longer enough to have a Reconciliation Action Plan sitting in a drawer or a generic supplier diversity goal.
Accountability is the new baseline.
If you’re serious about Indigenous procurement:
-Review your current supplier list
-Audit where you're spending — and where you're not
-Set a clear, trackable plan
Use WePlenty as a partner, not a last-minute workaround
