The Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) has become a member of the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council (AIMSC) to support certified Indigenous suppliers.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib said this follows the recent change to Commonwealth procurement guidelines.

This allows departments and agencies to contract small and medium Indigenous businesses without conducting a full tender process.

“In just 18 months of operation, AIMSC has facilitated almost $9 million in contracts and $4.5 million in transactions between corporate and government members and certified suppliers,” Mr Arbib.

According to Mr Arbib, employment will benefit as more than 72 per cent of employees of AIMSC certified suppliers are Indigenous.

Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon said the Gillard Government will support Indigenous economic development and provide access to government procurement.

“As one of the largest government departments, DOHA is well placed to provide opportunities to Indigenous suppliers and is looking forward to working with AIMSC and supporting the development of Indigenous businesses around Australia,” Ms Roxon said.

According to the DoHA, the Australian Government has provided more than $3 million in funding for AIMSC through the Indigenous Employment Program to close the gap on Indigenous employment.