About us
Our story
Bama Services was founded in 2010 to create meaningful employment pathways for young Indigenous school-leavers. What began as a small garden maintenance business has grown into a thriving social enterprise that has employed more than 300 Indigenous staff of all ages and secured over $50M in contracts throughout North Queensland.
As a multi-award-winning 100% Indigenous-owned business with a 75%+ Indigenous workforce, we now pride ourselves on offering garden maintenance, landscaping, cleaning and construction services that meet the highest standards.
Many of our team members have faced barriers to work. At Bama Services, we break those barriers so they can build skills, confidence and stability for themselves and their families. Our Support and Wellbeing program has been integral to maintaining our high retention rate.
We provide opportunities for long-term careers through training, mentoring and support. More than 100 staff have gained formal qualifications while working at Bama, with many progressing to supervisory roles here or with other organisations. We’re proud of them all.
As a social enterprise, all our profits go back into our business to improve our services and provide more opportunities. We exist because we believe a job can change the life of the employee, their family and their community.
Today, Bama Services is one of Far North Queensland’s leading Indigenous-owned service providers and part of the Cape York Partnership group. We are proof that business success and social impact can go hand-in-hand.
WHY OUR WORK MATTERS
Unemployment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Cape York and Cairns is still unacceptably high. Without work, people can often find themselves in the crippling grip of passive welfare and low self-worth. This can lead to damaging social and health problems for themselves, their families and communities.
Meaningful employment can help break this cycle.
Bama Services provides genuine opportunities to access the real economy. We empower people to take control of – and responsibility for – their own professional and personal development.
PEOPLE OVER PROFIT
As a social enterprise, we put people over profit. We're proud to be certified with Supply Nation and Social Traders.
As Queensland Finalists at the 2025 Telstra Business Awards, we've shown that a business can meet the highest standards for our government, corporate and community clients, while creating life-changing opportunities for our people.
When you partner with a social enterprise like Bama, you’re choosing to create a positive change in the world.
A HAPPY & HEALTHY WORKFORCE
Our award-winning Support & Wellbeing Program prioritises the health and wellbeing of our staff. An individual case management approach helps employees navigate personal, social and economic challenges, so they can reach their potential and achieve a fulfilling professional and personal life.
We provide staff with access to an extensive range of support services, while weekly workshop sessions promote teamwork, mateship and personal development.
This program has proven key to the retention and success of our staff, and our business.
Certifications
WHY CHOOSE BAMA?
- Trusted long-term partner to government, corporate and community organisations
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Proven delivery capability with $50M+ in completed contracts
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Competitive pricing combined with high-quality, reliable services
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Social enterprise model that reinvests profits into impact
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You'll be building a better future for others
Our board
Our board consists of leaders in their fields, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.
Lisa Siganto
Chair
Lisa is a Queensland-based experienced non-executive director who commenced her first board role in the 1990s with her family’s air-conditioning contracting and service business. Her experience has been in strategy, finance and social innovation. She has been a consulting partner at Deloitte and the Queensland Director for Social Ventures Australia which supported over 80 social enterprises in Qld. Her current mission is to create social and environmental impact through attracting impact investment funding to scale for-purpose businesses.
Fiona Jose
Executive Director
Fiona Jose is the Chief Executive Officer of Cape York Partnership, where she leads the strategic direction and delivery of its comprehensive reform agenda to empower Indigenous families across the Cape.
Belonging to the Kuku Yalanji and Zenadth Kes peoples and deep connections to Wujal Wujal and Badu Island, Fiona brings lived experience, systems thinking, and a collaborative leadership approach to her role. She oversees a diverse portfolio of initiatives that translate policy into practice, spanning education, employment, health, and economic development, with a focus on enabling families to take responsibility, seize opportunity, and drive long-term change in their own lives.
Under her leadership, Cape York Partnership has expanded to encompass ten entities and enterprises, including the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership, Djarragun College, Cape York Girl Academy, Bama Services, Ngak Min Health Clinic, Cape York Employment, and the award winning Pama Platform, a tech solution supporting financial capability and wellbeing products. Across the group, CYP employs more than 350 people, with 65% identifying as First Nations.
Neil Scales OBE
Non-Executive Director
With over 40 years of experience in public, private, and manufacturing sectors, Neil is now semi-retired, focusing on consulting and advising boards on engineering, transport, leadership, and change management. He serves on the High-Speed Rail Authority and is Deputy Chair of the Australian Road Research Board. Neil also holds board positions with PCYC Queensland, the Tourism and Transport Forum, and the Queensland Transport and Logistics Council. Previously, he was Director-General of Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads, and Chief Executive of Merseytravel in the UK, championing accessibility, safety, and domestic violence awareness.
