Indigenous-led cleaning and hygiene businesses are reshaping what it means to operate with purpose in Australia. Built on deep cultural ties, social impact and environmental leadership, these enterprises go beyond basic service. They’ve become role models, creating change at a structural level while remaining grounded in community and Country.
From commercial contracts to frontline sustainability innovations, these businesses are transforming the sector by bringing cultural responsibility and economic self-determination to the heart of operations. With strengthened procurement policies driving greater engagement and new generations stepping into leadership, the movement is gathering momentum.
Business on Country, business with purpose
For ARA Indigenous Services general manager Rohan Tobler-Williams, the strength of an Indigenous-led business lies in its connection to Country. “There’s nothing better than running a business on your own Country, or respectfully on someone else’s,” Tobler-Williams says. “It makes what we do feel bigger than just transactions. It’s about example, opportunity and control.”
Killara Services managing director Jasmine Newman echoes this sentiment. For Newman, cultural identity isn’t something kept separate from daily operations. “Our values guide how we treat our staff, our clients and the spaces we clean,” she says. “Respect is central for people, place and purpose. We start each day acknowledging where we are and who came before us. That awareness keeps our team grounded and proud of what we represent.”
Reconciliation in practice, not principle
Every May, National Reconciliation Week provides a moment for reflection. In this space, reconciliation isn’t symbolic, it’s embedded in daily business practice. As Gerrbik Laundry Services CEO Nicole Stewart says, “It’s not enough to just put on a breakfast during Reconciliation Week. True reconciliation means connection, opportunity and passing the torch to the next generation of leaders. There’s so much more we can do.”
Tober-Williams concurs. “Reconciliation for us isn’t just about a week, it’s about a daily responsibility. We understand our role in leading that across the wider ARA Group – and if we can’t be a leader in our industry, then we’ve missed the mark.”
At Gerrbik, a proudly Aboriginal-owned commercial laundry and dry-cleaning company, those ideals are lived through multi-generational leadership, community-first values and environmental innovation. “Dad started it for his family, and now I’m taking it on for mine,” Stewart says. “It’s not about me. It’s about showing that we can do this, generation after generation.”
Growing value through reinvestment
Indigenous-owned cleaning businesses often operate as social enterprises, channelling profits into programs that deliver long-term community benefits. Gerrbik Laundry Services has invested in full-time Indigenous engagement managers to support new hires on their journey. “We decided early on to reinvest part of our profits, because hiring someone and just walking away isn’t enough,” Stewart explains. “You’ve got to protect the investment.”
That investment shows up in programs like WilaWila, which provides mentoring, weekly check-ins and recognition for team members across national contracts. “From Zoom meetings to awards nights, it’s a place of belonging in a business that can feel very big,” she says.
For Newman, it’s also about equipping people with more than technical skills. “We run training programs that go beyond the mop and bucket. We teach budgeting, time management and leadership, real-life tools,” she says. “I’ve seen women come in shy, not making eye contact, and within months they’re running sites and mentoring others.”
Policy backing that makes a difference
The rise in Indigenous-led businesses owes much to a maturing procurement framework. The Australian Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) has evolved into a powerful lever for driving First Nations participation in the economy. Under new updates coming into effect from July 2025, federal portfolios must ensure that at least three percent of contracts are awarded to Indigenous businesses, a figure set to climb annually until it reaches four percent in 2030.
For Stewart, the IPP is a vital mechanism. “It gives me the freedom to invest back into the community and support the passions that matter,” she says. “But there’s still a long way to go in how government and corporations really engage with it.”
Newman adds that while the IPP has opened doors, the path forward still requires grit. “The IPP changed everything for us. Before, it felt like we had to prove ourselves ten times over. Now, there’s a pathway,” she says. “But it’s not always smooth. There are still systems that aren’t made for us. We’ve had to learn fast and lean on each other.”
Building trust, breaking bias
Scaling up is no small feat, particularly when structural inequalities linger. “Capital is always a struggle,” Newman explains. “We don’t always have family backing or easy access to loans. And building trust with big clients takes time. There’s still a lot of unconscious bias out there.”
The solution, she says, lies in resilience and relationships. “Sometimes people think we’re a ‘tick-the-box’ choice, not a capable one. But we’re proving them wrong every day. We form partnerships, we build trust and we make sure our internal culture is strong, because when our team believes in the mission, we’re unstoppable.”
Industry innovation with cultural roots
Gerrbik is rewriting what ownership looks like by pushing dry cleaning into a greener future. “We developed a new machine that’s not chemically based like traditional dry cleaning. It’s environmentally friendly, but there are no formal courses for it. That’s how far ahead we are,” Stewart says.
The business is also trialling no-plastic systems for airline linen services. “We work heavily in the airline space where plastic use is massive,” she says. “Others will follow, but it’s a big step.”
Confidence, continuity and care
Beyond cleaning alone, these businesses restore pride in those who’ve lost their self-worth. Newman recalls one young employee who transformed within months. “She came to us after being out of work, dealing with trauma and low confidence,” she says. “Within six months, she was running her own team. She told me, ‘You didn’t just give me a job, you gave me back my pride.’ That’s what this is about.”
Stewart echoes this. “Running a successful business builds confidence,” she says. “It means people can buy homes, create stability and show younger generations what’s possible. One decision, one business, can change a whole family’s future.”
A new horizon for Indigenous enterprise
From Killara’s community-led culture to Gerrbik’s circular reinvestment and ARA’s national growth, Indigenous-led cleaning businesses are rewriting the rulebook. They’re lifting people up, weaving cultural care into commercial service and turning procurement into a platform for change.
“When I retire one day,” Tobler-Williams says, “I want to be able to sit back and say we honoured the legacy of those who came before us, that we didn’t just chase profit but helped shape the indigenous business community and show what a true Indigenous-led service could be.”
This article originally appeared in the Inclean magazine print edition. Order your free copy here.
