Yindjibarndi Nation

What Yindjibarndi Nation does

Yindjibarndi Nation is the self-governing First Nations organisation representing the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Yindjibarndi Country in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The entity operates under a three-pillar model — community, culture, and commerce — with the parent Yindjibarndi Nation Ltd established in 2022 by the native title representative bodies (YAC and YNAC) to consolidate project delivery capacity. Native title determination covers approximately 13,000 square kilometres, granting Yindjibarndi consent rights over mining and infrastructure development on Country and forming the basis of all commercial partnerships.

The commercial portfolio is held primarily through Yindjibarndi Wealth Pty Ltd and comprises Yurra Pty Ltd (civil and building construction, facilities maintenance, surveying, project management — approximately $165 million in cumulative revenue and ~400 employees, including ~30% Aboriginal employment); Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation, a joint venture with ACEN Corporation developing up to 3GW of wind, solar and energy storage; Yindjibarndi Water, which is acquiring the 8-gigalitre-per-year Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant; a 50% interest in Jina Rent A Car across Western Australia and South Australia; and minority interests in recycling (Ngardimu with Sims Metal) and infrastructure inspection (Hawkeye Pilbara). Cultural entities include the Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation (cultural archive) and Ngaarda Media (community broadcaster).

Revenue is generated through negotiated contracts with mining majors (Rio Tinto, Fortescue), government agencies (Western Australian Government), and strategic partners (ACEN). The Federal Court in May 2026 ordered Fortescue to pay approximately $150.3 million in native title compensation — the largest such award in Australian history — providing a material capital infusion. Distribution is enterprise-direct via negotiated Land Use Agreements and Indigenous Land Use Agreements, supported by community engagement through Ngaarda Media, cultural programming via Juluwarlu, and earned media coverage in ABC and Financial Review.

Name

Yindjibarndi Nation

Legal name

Yindjibarndi Nation Ltd

Website

https://yindjibarndi.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Yindjibarndi Nation is a First Nations self-governing organisation representing Traditional Owners of 13,000 sq km in the Pilbara, operating commercial subsidiaries in construction (Yurra), renewable energy (YEC with ACEN), and water infrastructure for mining and government partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous-led Contracting and Infrastructure Services

NAICS

Utility System Construction (2371), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (541370)

SIC

Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy & Renewables Specialty Contracting (Solar PV, Storage, EV Charging) (IMAFALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wind Balance-of-Plant EPC (Crane Pads, Turbine Foundations, Internal Roads) (EUAEADAI), Hydro BOP Civil & Water Conveyance (Dams, Spillways, Penstocks, Canals) (EUAMAFAG), Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL)

Keywords

• Civil construction services
• Renewable energy development
• Water infrastructure services
• Indigenous contracting services
• Facilities maintenance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Roebourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Yurra Contracting Services: Yurra Pty Ltd generates revenue through civil construction, building construction and maintenance, facilities maintenance, landscape construction, surveying and project management services. The company has grown from cleaning and landscaping to diversified construction and service contracts for multinational corporations and government agencies. Generated approximately $165 million in revenue.
2. Renewable Energy Development: Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) pursues up to 3GW in capacity of wind, solar and energy storage projects. Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation holds equity share of up to 50 per cent in projects through partnership with ACEN. Projects recognized as priority infrastructure on federal Priority Renewable Energy Infrastructure Priority List.
3. Water Infrastructure: Yindjibarndi Water is developing water infrastructure and water treatment technologies, and leading acquisition of the 8-gigalitre-per-year Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant in partnership with Affinity Capital Group.
4. Joint Ventures and Investments: Yindjibarndi Wealth holds 50% of Jina Rent A Car WA operations, ownership stakes in Ngardimu Pty Ltd (with Sims Metal), Beyond One Pty Ltd, and Hawkeye Pilbara Pty Ltd.
5. Native Title Compensation: Federal Court ordered FMG (Fortescue) to pay approximately $150.3 million in compensation to Yindjibarndi native title holders for mining that has occurred on Yindjibarndi Ngurra since 2012.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Yindjibarndi Nation operates a portfolio of commercial entities delivering civil and building construction, facilities maintenance, landscape construction, surveying, and project management services to mining companies and government agencies in the Pilbara, primarily through majority-owned Yurra Pty Ltd. The organization also develops renewable energy projects (up to 3GW wind, solar and storage) via Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation in partnership with ACEN, pursues water infrastructure including the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant through Yindjibarndi Water, and operates Jina Rent A Car and other commercial holdings. Cultural preservation and community services (housing, broadcasting, archive) are delivered alongside commercial operations under a 3C strategy of community, culture, and commerce.

Product overview

Yindjibarndi Nation operates as a unified portfolio of community, cultural, and commercial entities rather than a single software product. The core structure includes Yindjibarndi Nation Ltd (YNL) as the parent organisation established in late 2022 to develop project delivery capacity. The commercial arm is managed through Yindjibarndi Wealth Pty Ltd, which owns stakes in Yurra Pty Ltd (civil construction and maintenance services), Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (renewable energy development with ACEN), Jina Rent A Car, and Yindjibarndi Water. Cultural preservation is handled through Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation and Ngaarda Media. Community services include the Wunggu Maya Transitional Housing Program and member support through the YCCL Trust. The Ganalili Transitional Housing project provides transitional accommodation. Yiyangu leads the renewable energy portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Yurra Pty Ltd Contracting Services Majority Yindjibarndi-owned contracting business providing civil construction, building construction and maintenance, facilities maintenance, landscape construction, surveying and project management services to mining companies and government in the Pilbara. Generated approximately $165 million in revenue and employs around 400 people with ~30% Aboriginal employment.
• Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) Renewable Energy Projects Partnership between Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) and ACEN Corporation developing up to 3GW in capacity of wind, solar and energy storage projects across approximately 13,000 square km within the Yindjibarndi Native Title Determination area. YAC holds equity of up to 50% with a guaranteed standard return from ACEN.
• Yindjibarndi Water Infrastructure Services Water infrastructure and water treatment technology business developing solutions on Yindjibarndi Country in response to heavy water draw from the Millstream area by mining and industrial companies. Leading acquisition and operation of the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant in partnership with Affinity Capital Group.
• Jina Rent A Car Car rental service 50% owned by Yindjibarndi Wealth, operating across four sites in Western Australia and five sites in South Australia, majority owned by First Nations peoples including Yindjibarndi People of the Pilbara WA and Far West Coast peoples of South Australia.
• Wunggu Maya Transitional Housing Program Transitional housing and support program for Aboriginal people living and working in the Roebourne, Wickham or Karratha area, providing affordable rent while supporting transition to private rental or home ownership.
• Ngaarda Media Broadcasting Independent community broadcaster and media training hub founded in 2004, broadcasting radio service around Australia and throughout the Pilbara region. Documents and creates local stories connecting ngaarda to culture and family, and has received numerous community radio awards.
• Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation Cultural Services Sister organisation founded in 2000 dedicated to Yindjibarndi cultural preservation and promotion, with a nationally-recognised archive preserving cultural recordings and heritage materials. Cultural performances such as Ngurra Nyujunggamu showcase creation stories at festivals.
• Ngardimu Pty Ltd Metal Recycling Metal recycling services operated in partnership with Sims Metal, focused on recycling, technology and innovation in the Pilbara region.
• Hawkeye Pilbara Infrastructure Inspection Infrastructure inspection and monitoring services for industrial assets in the Pilbara region.

Quantifiable outcome

• Yurra named Rio Tinto's Supplier of the Year 2023 and won Economic Development Category at WA Community Achievement Awards 2021
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Western Australian GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Yindjibarndi Water reached agreements with Western Australian Government for acquisition of Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant.
• Rio TintocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2023Rio Tinto and Yindjibarndi signed MoU for renewable energy collaboration. Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation ILUA (Indigenous Land Use Agreement) for renewable energy project registered in 2024.
• ACEN CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2023Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) partnered with ACEN Corporation to create Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC). YEC is pursuing up to 3GW in capacity of wind, solar and energy storage projects across approximately 13,000 square km within the Native Title Determination. YAC negotiated agreement securing equity share of up to 50 per cent in projects with guaranteed standard return from ACEN.
• Sims Metal (Ngardimu Pty Ltd)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Yurra established Ngardimu Pty Ltd in partnership with Sims Metal, focused on recycling, technology and innovation.
• First Nations peoples of Far West Coast SAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Jina Rent A Car is majority owned by First Nations peoples - the Yindjibarndi People of the Pilbara WA, and the Far West Coast peoples of South Australia. Yindjibarndi Wealth owns 50% of Jina's WA operations.
• GBSC (GBSC Yurra partnership)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016In 2016 Yurra established the GBSC Yurra partnership to create local employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities. Key project included redevelopment of former Victoria Hotel in Roebourne, now the Ganalili Centre. In 2025 Yurra acquired full ownership becoming Yurra Building.
• Rio Tinto Iron OrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2013Land Use Agreement signed with Rio Tinto in July 2013 established Yindjibarndi Wealth Pty Ltd. Modernisation Agreement signed in 2022 providing additional funding for community benefits. Rio Tinto awarded Yurra Supplier of the Year 2023. Yurra holds major maintenance contract for Rio Tinto's Pilbara Rail Network.
• ALM LandscapingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013ALM Landscaping was a successful construction business established in Port Hedland in 2010. ALM and Yindjibarndi People partnered to create Yurra in 2013 with shared vision to deliver sustainable procurement outcomes benefiting the community. All former ALM Landscaping staff and contracts transitioned into Yurra.
• Melbourne Climate Futures (University of Melbourne)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelbourne Climate Futures research unit produced report praising Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation projects for community benefits. Report highlighted YAC's negotiated agreement with ACEN securing equity share and guaranteed returns.
• North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund (NWAHF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWAHF partnered with Yindjibarndi for the $10 million Ganalili Transitional Housing project. Fund Manager Melanie Jones called it one of her proudest achievements with potential for broadest ripple effect.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NRW Holdings: ASX-listed civil and mining contractor deeply embedded in the Pilbara, providing civil construction, equipment hire, and maintenance to Rio Tinto, BHP, and Fortescue. Closest public-market comparable for Yurra's core contracting business in terms of geography, customer set, and service mix.
• Water Corporation (WA): Western Australian state-owned water utility currently party to the Dampier Seawater Desalination Plant transaction with Yindjibarndi Water. Relevant as the incumbent water infrastructure operator in the region and the off-taker/governance counterparty for Yindjibarndi Water's emerging utility-scale water business.
• Monadelphous Group: ASX-listed engineering, procurement, and construction company providing maintenance, fabrication, and industrial services to resources and energy customers across WA, including Pilbara iron ore. Comparable as an incumbent maintenance and civil contractor to the same mining customer base Yurra serves.
• Alinta Energy: Major Australian electricity retailer and generator with Pilbara thermal generation assets and growing renewable portfolio. Relevant incumbent comparator to YEC for Western Australian energy markets and infrastructure-scale energy development.
• Downer EDI: Large ASX-listed infrastructure and services contractor with a substantial Western Australian and Pilbara mining services footprint, including rail maintenance and renewable energy construction. Direct overlap with Yurra's general contracting scope and YEC's emerging renewable EPC exposure.

Direct peers

• PKKP Aboriginal Corporation: Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people of the Pilbara, with native title over iron ore-rich country and active commercial relationships with Fortescue and other miners. Operates a comparable 3C-style portfolio of contracting, cultural, and community entities serving the same mining customers as Yindjibarndi.
• Gumala Enterprises: A Pilbara-based Indigenous-owned contracting and services company serving mining majors (Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue) with civil works, labour, and community programs. Direct structural parallel to Yurra and Yindjibarndi Nation's commercial model of leveraging native title assets to win mining supply contracts.
• Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation: Goldfields-registered native title body in WA with active heritage protection and emerging commercial enterprise model. Comparable as a First Nations governance body managing both cultural obligations and commercial opportunities in the resources sector.
• Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation: Registered native title body corporate for the Wanjina-Wungurr people of the East Kimberley, with substantial landholdings, conservation partnerships, and diversified commercial interests analogous to Yindjibarndi's portfolio model.

Emerging players

• ACEN Corporation: Listed Philippine-Australian renewable energy developer and YEC's joint-venture partner. Comparable as a counter-party engaged in utility-scale wind, solar, and storage on Yindjibarndi Country, providing the technology and capital backing that defines YEC's commercial thesis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yindjibarndi-nation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yindjibarndi Nation