When we talk about inequality in Australia, the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the rest of the population is one of the most striking, and heartbreaking.
On almost every measure that matters, from income to education to health, First Nations people face deep and persistent disadvantages. The average First Nations person earns significantly less, has far less wealth, and is less likely to own a home than a non-Indigenous person.
In fact, the average non-Indigenous household is more than 10 times wealthier. This isn’t just bad luck, it’s the result of generations of discrimination, dispossession, and broken systems.
Having recently becoming a finalist after being nominated for the 2025 7News Young Achiever Awards SA for the Department of Human Services Aboriginal Achievement Award, this is something that Entrepreneur and Deiri man Tyler Joseph has set out to change.
Tyler has spent the last few years quietly designing one of the most culturally-driven financial ventures in the country.
And has now started to bring that design to reality.
As the co-founder of Malu Finance, Tyler is working at the intersection of economic empowerment and cultural legacy, bringing a First Nations-led perspective to an industry that has long excluded Indigenous voices.
Tyler’s journey into business didn’t start with a traditional entrepreneurial lightbulb moment. It began with years spent working in finance.
“I started out working in finance and advocating for First Nations people in the loan space. Home loans, commercial lending, and supporting those who were usually overlooked by mainstream systems. Through that work, I realised there was a real gap in the market and a real opportunity to create a business that actively supports First Nations people on their financial journey.”
While it wasn’t a lightbulb moment, these experiences were where the concept of Malu Finance was born.
“It started as a brokerage but quickly evolved into something bigger. We’re now working toward launching a First Nations wealth fund and becoming a private lender, essentially building the infrastructure needed for long-term financial empowerment and ownership in our communities.”
But it’s not all about economics. Tyler’s vision encompasses culture. But the two are closely related. Tyler notes that for thousands of generations there have been trade routes, systems of exchange, and collaborative enterprise that were largely wiped out with the inset on invasion and colonisation.
“Cultural influence for me is rooted in trade. I try to carry that mindset into my work. I see myself as part of the digital generation, building new routes, whether through content, capital, or collaboration. It's about taking that age-old understanding of trade and translating it into the modern economy.”
As anyone in business knows though, it’s not without its challenges, ideas versus reality are often very different.
“The biggest challenge was definitely age. Being young in this space, especially finance, meant not always being taken seriously. I had to build what I now call “delusional confidence.” You’ve got to believe in your vision before anyone else does, and back it with real action and consistency.”
Tyler also learned early on that nobody’s coming to save you. If you want to do something big, you’ve got to move with conviction, keep learning, and stay in the game long enough to win.
Focussed on the future, Tyler and his team is focused on launching a First Nations wealth fund in late 2025 and becoming a lender by 2025/2026. Which means offering financial access, capital and long-term support for individuals and organisations building toward ownership—whether that’s homes, businesses, or community projects.
When asked what advice he would offer to other young First Nations people thinking about starting their own ventures, Tyler said, “Start small, but start real. Too many people feel like they have to start big or perfect. You don’t. You can also, begin by working within your local community, with organisations and people who know your work and your value.”
Tyler also said that by doing the above, this can help build your reputation. Aiming for the big leagues first up can be tough, and if going across state or federal for funding and grants with no experience or work history, can lead to disappointment.
He also added, “the reality is, a lot of those bigger systems have become culturally unsafe, and I’ll say that on behalf of a lot of people I’ve spoken to. Real change takes new leadership and new models, not just rebranded versions of the old system.”
Outside of Malu Finance, Tyler’s other venture is Social Lane, a social media and digital management agency.
His partners include Prime Finance, a private lending firm; MEG, a development and finance company, which offers premium 75-foot yacht experiences; Prime Racing, a professional motorsport team and Packapunch Boxing among others.
“Everything I do ties back to building access, experience, and legacy for the next generation. That’s the goal—simple, long-term, and locked in.”
You can get in touch with Tyler at: tyler@malufinance.com.au