Keeping Western Australia's lights on, water flowing and communities connected

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• A First Nations success story: Benang has grown from three founders working out of a rental van in 2018 to an 80-person infrastructure business delivering critical power, water and gas projects across Western Australia.
• Creating opportunities for future generations: Beyond infrastructure, Benang is committed to supporting First Nations employment, apprenticeships and career pathways, with a strong focus on mentorship, cultural connection and community impact.
• Building a stronger future through business: Supported by NAB since its early days, Benang has scaled into a trusted supplier while maintaining its mission of increasing First Nations economic participation and creating opportunities for the generations that follow.

For Benang Managing Director Jasmine Kadic, success isn’t just measured by the projects the business delivers.

It’s also about creating opportunities for people who might not otherwise get them.

“There are people who just need an opportunity and the right support around them,” Jasmine said.

“Meaningful work can be life-changing, but you need to make sure people have the support structures in place to succeed.”

That belief sits at the heart of Benang, the First Nations-owned infrastructure company Jasmine helped build alongside its co-founders in 2018. What started with three founders working out of a rental van has grown into a team of around 80 people delivering critical power, water and gas infrastructure projects across Western Australia.

Named after the Noongar word for “tomorrow”, Benang provides construction, maintenance and operational services across the water, energy, mining and infrastructure sectors, helping keep essential services running for communities across the state.

Operating in a sector where there are relatively few First Nations-owned businesses, the company has built a reputation for quality, capability and reliability, growing from a small contractor into a trusted supplier for a number of long-term clients.

“We want to be recognised not just as a First Nations business, but as a great business,” Jasmine said.

“We do quality work with quality people.”

As the business has grown, Benang has remained focused on supporting the next generation. First Nations concepts of kinship are embedded in the workplace, with Elders providing cultural guidance and support to employees and clients alike.

Through career expos and industry engagement programs, the business introduces young people to career pathways they may never have considered, while creating opportunities for apprentices and others facing barriers to employment.

For Jasmine, this commitment extends beyond Benang. Through her broader leadership roles, including as Chair of Noongar Mia Mia and a director of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, she contributes to work spanning housing, employment, education and First Nations economic participation.

While the roles are different, Jasmine said they are connected by the same goal: creating stronger pathways and better outcomes for First Nations people and communities.

“Everything I do comes back to creating opportunities and making sure our people have a voice,” Jasmine said.

“It’s about building something that will make a difference for the generations coming behind us.”

As Benang expanded and took on larger projects, access to finance became increasingly important. NAB has supported the business since 2018, initially through equipment finance and later across its broader banking needs as the company continued to scale.

For NAB Senior Business Banking Manager Blake Wilhelm, Benang’s success reflects both the strength of the business and the values behind it.

“What stands out most is their clear vision, strong values and commitment to long-term sustainable growth,” Blake said.

“Benang has built a strong reputation with clients while maintaining a focus on people, community and First Nations economic participation.”

As Indigenous Business Month shines a spotlight on First Nations entrepreneurs, Jasmine hopes Benang’s journey encourages more First Nations Australians to step into leadership and ownership roles.

“We should be at the table, leading projects and creating opportunities for the people coming behind us,” she said.

“The time is now.”

To learn more about how NAB supports First Nations businesses across Australia, visit Sustainability and Community | NAB News - NAB