Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation First Nations

Who we are

Ironbark is an Aboriginal corporation that provides community development, which means working with communities to improve their own lives and futures. Its service area, the Darwin Daly Region, stretches from Darwin to remote communities such as Nauiyu (Daly River) and Belyuen.

The organisation’s purpose is to give everyone the chance to take part fully in society. It focuses on creating lasting jobs for Aboriginal people, building life skills, and strengthening relationships and networks. It also works to celebrate and protect Aboriginal culture.

Ironbark is committed to self-determination for Aboriginal people and communities, which means communities making decisions about their own futures. It supports local decision-making and local solutions, working with community members, employers, and industry partners.

What we do

Ironbark’s work is split into three service areas. It also runs three business arms, which earn income and create jobs: Ironbark Services NT, Rapid Clean NT, and Aboriginal Bush Traders.

Community services
These services help vulnerable Indigenous community members access the support they need. The aim is to improve their health and wellbeing.

Employment and economic services
Ironbark aims to increase employment and help people move away from long-term reliance on welfare payments.

• Remote Australia Employment Service (RAES) is a government program for job seekers in remote areas. Through it, Ironbark helps people take part in community projects that build skills and prepare them for work.
• Workforce Australia is the government’s main employment program. Ironbark delivers it from offices in Casuarina and Palmerston.
• Employer support includes mentoring and wage subsidies, which are payments that help employers cover the cost of hiring someone.
• New enterprises are developed with communities and industry partners to create jobs and work experience.

Arts and cultural services
Ironbark set up Aboriginal Bush Traders to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people earn income from their culture, art, and bush harvest products, such as native foods and plants.

• Business support offers tools, training, and advice to help small cultural businesses and community art centres start and grow.
• The Bush Traders hub in Darwin’s Smith Street Mall sells products from artists and art centres. It also has a café serving Indigenous foods, offers cultural tourism experiences, and hosts small events.