About IBIR
Indigenous-designed economic governance infrastructure
About Indigenous Business Integrity Register (IBIR)?
IBIR is an independent platform that provides structured reporting on Indigenous business ownership, governance, and partnerships.
It was developed by Nyoongar Entrepreneur Gerry Matera through Weitj Investments as part of a broader effort to strengthen governance and accountability within Indigenous procurement systems.
IBIR is part of
- the IBIR verification register
- the IBOS 0103 Indigenous Business Operating Standard
- the IFLA cultural legitimacy assessment framework
- the Indigenous Business Council capability development model
The verification processes, structural reviews, and business reporting provide an important foundation layer that supports transparency across Indigenous procurement and helps organisations make informed decisions when engaging Indigenous suppliers.
IBIR consolidates publicly available information, independent reviews, and voluntary verification into a single transparency infrastructure for the Indigenous business sector.
Why IBIR Exists
Around the world, Indigenous procurement policies have focused on creating opportunity. Few have focused on protecting it.
Without trusted governance:
- Communities lose confidence.
- Governments lose confidence.
- Industry loses confidence.
- Genuine Indigenous businesses lose opportunities.
IBIR exists because integrity is not simply an administrative process.
It is economic infrastructure.
The stronger the integrity,
the stronger Indigenous enterprise becomes.
The stronger Indigenous enterprise,
the stronger procurement becomes.
The stronger procurement,
the stronger long-term Indigenous wealth becomes.
IBIR was built to help protect the integrity of Indigenous business, so opportunity continues to create lasting economic outcomes.
What IBIR Provides
IBIR supports transparency in Indigenous business participation through several core functions:
Business Verification
Indigenous businesses may voluntarily undertake independent verification to demonstrate transparency in ownership and governance.
Business Directory
The IBIR Business Directory & Structure Reports provides access to business listings, ownership summaries, and structural information.
Public Structure Reports
Detailed public business structure reports provide deeper insight into governance arrangements, partnerships, and Indigenous participation.
Tracking & Monitoring
Users can track businesses within the directory and receive updates if structural or governance changes occur.
What IBIR Does Not Do
IBIR does not determine eligibility for Indigenous procurement programs or certification schemes.
IBIR provides independent transparency reporting so organisations can engage Indigenous suppliers with verified confidence.
IBIR's role is to provide the integrity infrastructure that empowers genuine First Nations businesses to participate, compete, and prosper.
Global Vision
IBIR's model is designed to travel.
The structural failure of Indigenous procurement integrity is not unique to Australia. Across Aotearoa New Zealand, Canada, and other jurisdictions with Indigenous procurement frameworks, the same pattern exists: policy intent without independent verification infrastructure.
IBIR is currently in early discussions with First Nations groups in New Zealand and Canada to explore how the IBOS methodology can be adapted and licensed to support Indigenous economic governance internationally.
The vision is a Global Indigenous Integrity Framework — a network of nationally rooted, culturally grounded verification bodies operating under a shared standard, enabling ethical international Indigenous trade and procurement with confidence.
IBIR is building the infrastructure. The world's Indigenous economies are the beneficiaries.
IBIR exists to strengthen transparency across Indigenous business participation — providing independent reporting and verification that supports informed procurement decisions.
Where Indigenous business structures are transparent — not assumed. Integrity precedes economic participation.