Indigenous Business Australia has released its 2025-26 Annual Report, which it says highlights "a year of transformation and impact" as the agency expands its capacity to support Indigenous people, businesses, and communities.
The annual report details progress against IBA's Strategy Towards 2030, which aims to position the organisation to raise, mobilise, and deploy capital more effectively to meet growing demand and unlock greater economic opportunities for Indigenous people.
In 2025-25 IBA delivered $498 million in capital and capability development support, which it says will support more people achieve home ownership, grow businesses, and build long-term financial security for themselves and their families.
Of the near $500 million, $429 million was allocated to home and business finance.
In 2025-26, $349 million was allocated to approved home loans, an increase of 16 per cent, with $80 distributed for business finance - a figure which exceeded the previous year's target by $55 million.
IBA chair Darren Godwell said the year marked an important step in building IBA's capability to support larger opportunities while maintaining a strong focus on delivering outcomes for First Nations people.
"During the year we continued to see a greater number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families move into home ownership, entrepreneurs build businesses and Indigenous organisations pursue increasingly ambitious investment opportunities. Those achievements belong first and foremost to the Indigenous people behind them," Mr Godwell said.
"The next chapter of IBA will not simply be about deploying more capital. It will be about forming capital, mobilising capital and using it to increase Indigenous ownership in Australia's economic future.
"That is the transformation now underway."
The report indicated the organisation's investment portfolio is valued at $578 million, with investments alongside First Nations co-investors, delivering a 7.2 per cent five-year average return and 9.0 per cent three-year average return.
IBA said the report also highlighted it's "continued commitment in sector development and capability building", by supporting aspiring and established entrepreneurs through initiatives including Strong Women Strong Business and Accelerate with IBA.
During the year, IBA also strengthened its investment, treasury, and structured finance capabilities, established the Office of the Indigenous Economy, and progressed reforms which will enable the organisation to play a larger role in shaping and mobilising capital across the Indigenous economy.
IBA chief executive David Knights said the changes underway are focused on creating a stronger institution capable of delivering long-term impact for our customers.
"We have taken important steps to strengthen IBA's capacity to facilitate and finance larger and more complex transactions, while improving our ability to attract and deploy capital more effectively," Mr Knights said.
"Across housing, business, investment, and economic development, we continue to see strong ambition and opportunity. IBA's role is to support that aspiration through access to capital, capability, and partnerships."
Overall, IBA said the report details "another year of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve their aspirations".
It said the report reflects an organisation focused on creating opportunities which build financial security, strengthen communities, and increase Indigenous participation in Australia's economic future.
The report can be found online.
