About Us

Empowering First Peoples Through Prosperity Prosperity and Giving Back

First Nations Economics (FNE) is an Aboriginal-led, Supply Nation-registered charity with a clear vision: to achieve social, cultural, and economic prosperity for First Peoples. We are deeply committed to this vision and work tirelessly to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through expert advice, advocacy, and genuine lived experience.
At FNE, we believe in giving back to the community we serve. That's why we redistribute 100% of our profits back into the economic development of First Nations communities. We work collaboratively with philanthropic and community partners to achieve tangible outcomes that make a real difference in the lives of First Peoples.

Our Community Values

Self-Determination and Just Distribution of Power

First Nations communities have the right to self-determine their lives and be the architects of their own futures. We seek to empower First Peoples through community-based decision-making and co-design and through the just distribution of power to First Peoples to make their own decisions.

Respect and Deep Listening

All people have the right to be heard and respected. Many First Cultures are founded on the basis of respect for community, country and for those who have come before us. We must uphold respect in everything we do.

Partnership and Reciprocity

We will always seek to meaningfully partner with First Peoples and reciprocate the respect, privileges and knowledges that have been shared with us to care for.

Community Impact

At the heart of everything we do is the belief that the work we engage in should have a demonstrable, positive impact on the communities we engage with and seek to serve.

Our Model

First Nations Economics is uniquely placed to provide specialist, expert professional services to partners across government, corporate, and non-profit industries. We use the revenue from these projects to fund our social programs, including our Leah Armstrong Scholarship, our education programs, and our community-controlled pro bono advisory practice.

Caring for Country

Our Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
At First Nations Economics, we recognise that caring for Country is central to the wellbeing of First Peoples and to the prosperity of future generations. Our approach to environmental sustainability is guided by respect for the land, waters, and skies that sustain us, and by our responsibility to act as custodians in all aspects of our work.

As a proud Australian Carbon Industry Code of Conduct signatory, FNE is committed to upholding best-practice standards in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. We embed this commitment into our daily operations by:

• Using electric vehicles to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• Encouraging and supporting staff to travel via public transport wherever possible.
• Continuously seeking new ways to minimise our environmental footprint across projects and operations.

Through these practices, FNE ensures that our mission to empower First Peoples is aligned with protecting Country, strengthening cultural responsibilities, and contributing to a sustainable future for all communities.

Procurement of Professional Services - Partners in government, corporate, and non-profit sectors seek to procure professional services from FNE.
Community Impact Assessment - Projects are evaluated against our Community Values and only progress if they seek to positively impact First Nation communities.
Aligned Delivery - FNE delivers services in line with First Nations Practice Principles, Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Free and Prior Informed Consent, and culturally validated methodologies.
Collaborative Capability Building - FNE works alongside partners and First Nations communities to uplift local capability and build culturally capable workforces.
Revenue for Social Programs - Revenue generated from professional services enables FNE's social programs, including Scholarships, education programs, and our pro-bono advisory practice.
Supporting Prosperity - The delivery of our social programs supports the social, cultural, and economic prosperity of First Peoples

The delivery of our social programs supports the social, cultural, and economic prosperity of First Peoples.

Projects are tested against our Community Values, and engagement progresses only if the project seeks to positively impact First Nations communities
Partners in government, corporate and non-profit sectors seek to procure professional services from First Nations Economics
Partners in government and non-profit sectors seeking to procure professional services from First Nations Economics
FNE delivers professional services in alignment with our First Nations Practice Principles, Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Free Prior and Informed Consent and our culturally validated methodologies.
Professional Services revenue enables the delivery of First Nations Economics social programs, including our Leah Armstrong Scholarship, education programs and community-controlled pro bono advisory practice.
First Nations Economics works alongside partners and First Nations communities to share and uplift local capability and build culturally capable workforces.
The delivery of our social programs supports the social, cultural, and economic prosperity of First Peoples.

Gurminder Saro

Interim Chair

Associate Professor Rick Macourt is a proud, queer Gumbaynggirr man, lawyer, and economic specialist. He leads First Nations Economics as Managing Director of Strategy and Foundation and serves as Associate Dean of First Nations Strategy and Services at the University of Sydney.

With over 15 years of experience spanning government, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors, Rick is deeply committed to advancing the economic development of First Peoples. As the former Director of First Nations Expenditure and Outcomes at NSW Treasury, he spearheaded the state’s inaugural Indigenous expenditure reporting processes and established the groundbreaking First Nations budget process in 2021/22. Previously, Rick held an executive role at the Westpac Group, overseeing First Nations affairs, and has a rich history in government, monitoring, evaluation, and negotiation, with senior positions at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, City of Sydney, and Standards Australia.

Rick is a published author with Oxford University Press, a member of the First Nations Advisory Board of Siemens Australia, and a Non-Executive Director on the board of Barnardos Australia.