Financial Foundations

Financial Foundations
for Business

Practical workshops helping First Nations women build confidence in the business financial basics.

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Financial Foundations for Business
Financial Foundations for Business workshop
About the program

Building confidence from the ground up

Starting or growing a business often begins with one simple thing — feeling more confident with the financial basics.

Financial Foundations for Business is a practical workshop series supporting First Nations women to strengthen financial confidence, build practical business knowledge and better understand the systems that support sustainable economic participation.

The workshops create supportive, culturally grounded learning spaces where women can ask questions openly, build practical understanding and explore business concepts without pressure or judgement.

Who it's for

These workshops are designed to support you

Whether you are new to business or already finding your way — these workshops meet you where you are. No previous business or financial experience required.

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Exploring an idea
You have a business idea and want to start exploring what's possible.
Starting a business
Taking your first steps into running a small business.
Community opportunities
Involved in or considering community-led economic participation.
Build financial confidence
Wanting to feel more comfortable with business finances.
Understand the numbers
Simply wanting to better understand how business finance works.
2026 schedule

Workshop locations

Workshops are being held across Australia in 2026. Places are limited — register your interest early.

Townsville
15 July 2026
9:30am – 1:30pm
Co-Habitat Co-Working Space
Level 1, 33–35 Palmer St
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Adelaide
22 July 2026
9:30am – 1:30pm
Education Development Centre
4 Milner St, Hindmarsh
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Broome
22 July 2026
9:30am – 1:30pm
Nyamba Buru Yawuru
33 Reid Rd, Cable Beach
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Dubbo
29 July 2026
9:30am – 1:30pm
Western Plains Cultural Centre
76 Wingewarra St
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Alice Springs
4 August 2026
12:30pm – 3:30pm
Desert Knowledge Centre
475 Stuart Hwy
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Hobart
12 August 2026
9:30am – 1:30pm
Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
838 East Derwent Hwy, Risdon Cove
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Canberra
26 August 2026
9:30am – 1:30pm
Smith Family
Cnr Launceston & Easty St, Woden
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Geelong
2 September 2026
9:30am – 1:30pm
Wathaurong Booln Booln Cultural Centre
410 Surf Coast Hwy
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Workshop content

What the workshops cover

Participants explore practical business finance topics. The focus is practical understanding — not complicated business jargon.

ABN, GST & Tax
Registration, tax basics and your obligations explained clearly.
Cash flow
How money moves in and out — and how to stay across it.
Separate your finances
Keeping personal and business money distinct and trackable.
Pricing & profit
How to price your work and understand business sustainability.
Planning & discipline
Financial planning basics and building good business habits.
Financial systems
Navigating banks, accounts and financial institutions with confidence.
Business confidence
Boundaries, obligations and stepping into your business identity.
The experience

What to expect

Each workshop is designed to be practical, supportive and accessible. No previous experience required — just show up.

Culturally safe
Women-centred, trauma-aware facilitation in a safe learning space.
Real conversations
Open discussion without judgement or pressure to perform.
Interactive learning
Hands-on activities and practical examples throughout.
Ask freely
A space where all questions are welcome and encouraged.
Practical tools
Resources and takeaways you can use beyond the workshop.
Peer connection
Learn alongside and connect with other First Nations women.
Future pathways
Doors into mentoring, programs and further capability support.

Ready to build Stronger Foundations?

Places are limited across all workshop locations.
Register your interest for your nearest workshop today.

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Got questions?

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the workshops, who they're for and how to register.

The workshops are designed for First Nations women interested in business, entrepreneurship, financial confidence and economic participation — including women exploring ideas, starting out, growing early-stage businesses, or wanting stronger understanding of business financial basics.

No. You do not need a registered business, business plan or previous business experience to attend.

No. The workshops are fully funded for participants.

ABN, GST and tax basics; cash flow; pricing and sustainability; separating personal and business finances; understanding financial systems; and business obligations and confidence.

No. The workshops are educational and designed to build practical understanding and confidence. They are not financial advice sessions.

Just yourself and any questions you may have. No business documents or financial statements are required.

Yes. The workshops are delivered using culturally grounded and trauma-aware approaches designed to create supportive learning environments for First Nations women.

Yes. The program is specifically designed to support participation across metropolitan, regional and remote communities.

Participants may also hear about mentoring opportunities, future business programs, entrepreneurship pathways and additional capability-building support.

Registrations can be completed through the registration links listed under each workshop location above. Places are limited.

Program acknowledgement

The Financial Foundations for Business program is delivered by First Nations Economics under Nyami Balmuun and is supported by Indigenous Business Australia.

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.