Deadly Entrepreneur

Got an idea? Get planning and go for it! From vlogging deadly content, to inventing that next groundbreaking product, use your mad social skills and get-up-and-go attitude to put hot new ideas on the market and change lives for the better. Explore the industries you can get involved in, the funding opportunities out there, and where to start making those connections.

Pathways

• Pursue an undergraduate degree in business or commerce, focusing on areas like management, marketing or finance. Many institutions also offer admission pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Check out Course Seeker or Good Universities Guide to find a course that appeals to you.

• Get hands-on skills in business administration or marketing through TAFE or a VET provider like the Australian Skills Management Institute or the Southern Cross Education Institute. Search for VET courses on Study Australia to get an idea of what’s out there.

• Sign up for a short course in a specific area like entrepreneurship, digital marketing or financial literacy. Open Universities Australia is a great place to start.

• Have a look at current job opportunities on boards like SEEK or Ethical Jobs. For roles specific to First Nations job hunters, you can search for ‘Aboriginal Identified jobs’ or filter for Indigenous jobs. Koori Mail, Our Mob and Indigenous Employment Australia are job boards created by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that are worth a look, too. 

• For examples of First Nations-led trades or businesses you could join, check out Supply Nation, a directory of over 4500 verified Indigenous businesses in every state and territory.

Funding

There are a range of scholarships available for First Nations young people looking to study business and entrepreneurship, including the Leah Armstrong Scholarship, the Breville Australia Indigenous Scholarship for Business/Marketing and the MBS Foundation Indigenous Leadership Scholarship.

For more info about financial support, visit institution websites. Many universities and TAFEs offer funding for First Nations students. If you’re considering uni, check out the NIAA’s list of Indigenous Higher Education Units, where you can learn more about student support. It’s also worth exploring ABSTUDY, AIEF’s scholarship program and business-specific scholarships via Aurora Foundation’s Indigenous Pathways Portal.

Networking

• Networks like Entrepreneur Network Australia and Entrepreneurs' Organization Australia connect you to other students and professionals in your area. There are groups just for mob out there, too, like Indigenous Business Australia and Barayamal First Nations Entrepreneurship.

• First Nations Business Hubs like South Australia’s The Circle, NSW’s YARPA and Western Australia’s WAALITJ provide  tailored support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wanting to start, grow or sustain their businesses.

• Ngarrimili aims to nurture business and entrepreneurship opportunities among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people through tailored, culturally informed support and networking events. They even have a Blak Business Directory of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander–owned businesses in different industries for you to check out.

• For young women looking to become entrepreneurs, Strong Women Strong Business and the Indigenous and Local Community Women Entrepreneurship Program are definitely worth a look.

• For the budding content creators out there, Meta and Screen Australia run an designed to foster Indigenous talent and to help create long-term career prospects in social media and digital content creation. 

• CareerTrackers supports First Nations students from Year 12 and throughout university to connect with employers and participate in paid, multi-year internships.

• Yalari’s Pathways Program helps to prepare students for life after school and to navigate the transition to higher education, vocational training and employment.

• AIEF offers career support for First Nations students from Year 11 onwards, assisting with goal setting and applications for higher education, training or employment opportunities.

• Connect with a mentor through AIEF or AIME. 

• Indigenous student support centres at your education provider (like an Indigenous Higher Education Unit) aren’t just good for finding resources; they’re a great place to find connection and community, too.

What else would you be good at?

Hit up the quiz again to see where else your skills, interests or passions could take you. Or, jump ahead to learn more about the other quiz outcomes and how to get started on those instead.

• More into working with your hands? Build your skills as a Hands-on Trade Master.

• More into the latest tech trends and gadgets? Being a Tech Hea might be your calling.

• Ready to build and create? Explore how to become an Engineer for the Real World.

• All about helping others and being there for mob? Being a Health Profesh could be just the thing!

• Inspired by the many wonders of the world? Being a So Sciency Scientist could be for you.

• Want to inspire and educate young ones? Get Schooled and make it happen.

• All about expressing yourself? Unlock your Creative Mode, share new ideas and celebrate your culture. 

• Keen to stay close to mob and to uplift your community? Discover how to be Socially Savvy and advocate for others.

• Love delivering exceptional service for community? Get thriving as a Main Street Hero.