Reflecting on the Growth of Indigenous Self-employment

Abstract

Indigenous self-employment has increased substantially in the last two decades. Government organisations and programs that finance and support the success of Indigenous business provide one explanation for this trend. However, private-sector initiatives also have a role to play. Self-employment is a heterogeneous statistical category that conflates employers with other self-employed who do not employ other workers. Furthermore, it does not take into account the legal status of the business that the owner-manager operates within. Nevertheless, the recent growth in self- employment means that there are enough Indigenous ownermanagers in Australia that future analysis can meaningfully disaggregate census data to gain greater insights into Indigenous business.