Tellus Development Foundation

Growing opportunity from Country.

Building stronger futures together.

Tellus partners with Aboriginal communities in remote Australia to build lasting economic opportunity — employment, enterprise, investment and self-determination — grounded in a long-term commitment to Country.

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Our Purpose

Driving employment, economic inclusion and financial security for Aboriginal people in remote Australia.

Tellus exists because entrenched economic disadvantage in remote Australia will not be solved by short-term programs alone. We take a long-term, outcomes-driven approach to unlocking the economic value of Country — while protecting it for future generations.

Our Approach

A pipeline from Country to lasting income.

We work through five connected pillars — identifying opportunity, building enterprise capability, and opening pathways into real jobs and sustainable income.

Mapping — Environmental & Cultural

Identifying land-based and regional economic opportunities through mapping and data, so communities can see and shape the value of Country.

Economic Opportunity & Planning

Structured economic and commercial assessments that identify viable, community-endorsed projects and partnerships.

Supply Chain Activation

Connecting Aboriginal workers and businesses with contractors, major projects and industry to expand employment and procurement.

Enterprise Development

Supporting Aboriginal businesses to start, grow and thrive — through mentoring, training and access to finance.

Catalytic Funding

Seed funding that strengthens community-led initiatives and leverages further investment and partnership.

Data Sovereignty

Helping Prescribed Bodies Corporate own and control their own mapping and land data — a long-term asset in its own right.

How It Works

Mapping to income — an integrated pathway.

Mapping

Understand the land, culture and opportunity.

Opportunity

Identify viable, community-led projects.

Enterprise

Build capability and business readiness.

Employment

Open pathways into sustainable jobs.

Income Growth

Build lasting, intergenerational wealth.

Founder's Intent

Stewarding prosperity for future generations.

Meaningful economic participation — jobs, enterprise and inclusion in supply chains — is essential to overcoming entrenched disadvantage. We work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal organisations, communities, industry and government to unlock opportunity and build lasting local economic capability.

Economic empowerment through practical, measurable pathways to employment and enterprise.
Self-determination — Aboriginal leadership and locally driven economic solutions.
Dignity through work and participation in the real economy.
Long-term structural change over short-term programs.
Responsible stewardship of resources and of Country.