Monash University’s Master of Indigenous Business Leadership (MIBL) and the Indigenous Business Integrity Register (IBIR) have formalised a landmark partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), bringing together Australia’s leading Indigenous business leadership program and the nation’s first Indigenous-designed economic governance infrastructure that verifies the authenticity and operational integrity of Indigenous businesses.
The collaboration establishes a shared commitment to support Indigenous entrepreneurs, executives and managers, including those enrolled in MIBL, through a program of knowledge exchange, endorsements, events and training aimed at embedding integrity at the heart of Indigenous business practice.
Under the MOU, IBIR founder Gerry Matera and the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, Chair of IBIR’s ownership and governance body Indigenous Business Council (IBC), have been invited to serve as Indigenous Business Knowledge Holders at Monash University. In August 2026, they will host a Masterclass on business ethics and integrity for MIBL students. All parties will participate in an Indigenous Business Roundtable comprising First Nations leadership and industry representatives, with Indigenous business ethics training modules developed for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
A longer-term focus of the collaboration will be to support the advancement of IBOS 0103, IBIR’s proprietary framework for verifying the cultural, structural and financial integrity of Indigenous businesses, through Standards Australia and ISO accreditation pathways.
We all want the next generation of Indigenous leaders to thrive in a business sector designed to amplify their efforts. Sadly, that has not been the reality for some time,” Matera said.
Acknowledging that problems exist and exploitation prevails is a powerful step forward, while building strong partnerships that help to instil integrity at the heart of Indigenous business culture is a lesson straight from our ancestors - the first entrepreneurs.
Co-director of MIBL, Katrina Johnson, said within the MIBL community, our leaders agree that integrity is foundational for strong and effective Indigenous leadership.
It’s how we honour our ancestors while safeguarding our economic sovereignty now and for future generations. Partnerships like this are crucial because they strengthen the systems that protect our communities, elevate our leaders, and ensure Indigenous business and leadership can thrive on our own terms, she said
Hon Ken Wyatt says he is inspired by the calibre of Indigenous leaders emerging in the sector and is looking forward to working with Monash’s groundbreaking program.
We are entering a new era for Indigenous peoples to move from welfare to wealth creation, and from passengers in business to leaders, he said.
Programs like MIBL are an example of how far we have come, and also what can be achieved. This unity between MIBL and IBIR creates a new standard for what is acceptable in business practice - and a vision for what is possible.
Established in 2021, some 40 students have graduated from the MIBL
IBIR operates a dual-workflow verification system designed to address the growing challenge of misrepresentation in Indigenous business procurement - commonly known as ‘black cladding’ - and to strengthen alignment between business operators and community.
The MOU was executed in June 2026.
About MIBL
The Master of Indigenous Business Leadership (MoIBL) at Monash University is a ground-breaking, award-winning 2-year part-time program designed exclusively for Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Jointly offered by the William Cooper Institute and Monash Business School, the course weaves First Nations wisdom with business strategy, governance, and organisational leadership.
Visit website here.
About IBIR
The Indigenous Business Integrity Register (IBIR), part of the Indigenous Business Council, is Australia's first Indigenous-designed economic governance infrastructure, verifying the authenticity and operational integrity of Indigenous businesses. Built on the Indigenous Business Operational Standard (0103), IBIR combines CPA corporate scrutiny with Elder-guided cultural legitimacy to deliver verification that procurement teams and government agencies can trust. IBIR exists to protect First Nations economic sovereignty - and to ensure that every dollar directed to Indigenous business actually reaches Indigenous people.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Fay
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amanda@weitjinvestments.au