Australian Bushland Program – New Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA)

  • Applications open until 11 March 2026.
  • No grant funding limit, however recommended grant applications amounts are:
    • IPA Dedicated Project: $200K-$250K, IPA Consultation Project: $300K-$350K
  • Funding pool for this round: Up to $13 million (GST exclusive).
  • Activities are expected to run from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028

The Australian Government is inviting applications via a targeted competitive process for the Australian Bushland Program – New Indigenous Protected Areas. The round aims to fund new IPA consultation projects. IPAs—initiated and led by Traditional Owners—are voluntary protected areas managed for biodiversity conservation and cultural values and represent the largest contributor to Australia’s “30 by 30” land target.

Successful projects will plan and consult with Traditional Owners, partners and stakeholders to define IPA boundaries, governance, and management strategies, culminating in an endorsed plan of management and MERI framework. Once an IPA is dedicated, projects may undertake on‑ground management consistent with the plan—e.g., fire, weeds, feral animal control, cultural site protection, threatened species actions, biodiversity monitoring and community engagement.

Key Requirements

  • Establish new IPA consultation projects Undertake Traditional Owner‑led consultation and planning to determine IPA area, values, threats, governance, and stakeholder roles; develop draft plan of management and MERI framework; secure letters of support and consents required for dedication.
  • Contribute to national conservation goals Strengthen the National Reserve System and help achieve the “30 by 30” land target by prioritising areas important for biodiversity, representativeness, and ecosystem services.
  • Deliver cultural, social, and economic outcomes Empower First Nations people to fulfil custodial obligations for land and sea Country; support employment (including Indigenous Rangers linkages), knowledge transfer, and community wellbeing.
  • Demonstrate strong governance and capability Establish IPA Advisory Committee, manage project risks (including WHS), protect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, and show capacity to deliver and evaluate outcomes.
  • Engage stakeholders with rights and interests Identify and secure support from relevant entities (e.g., PBCs, Native Title bodies, joint management boards) and coordinate with government and non‑government partners

 

What is eligible for funding?

Consultation stage:

  • Traditional Owner, partner and stakeholder engagement
  • surveys and mapping of environmental/cultural values
  • boundary/gov­er­nance documentation
  • establish IPA Advisory Committee
  • draft plan of management and MERI
  • information and contract management
  • building partnerships
  • securing letters/consents
  • formal recognition processes.

Dedicated stage (once IPA is dedicated):

  • dedication ceremony
  • on‑ground management actions (fire, pest/weed control, cultural site protection, threatened species/ecological communities, biodiversity and biosecurity monitoring, disaster risk management)
  • intergenerational knowledge transfer
  • ongoing governance and stakeholder engagement
  • community education
  • WHS, visitor and infrastructure/asset management; training and capacity building
  • MERI implementation; information and reporting
  • Selected assets, operational, travel, administration and minor works are allowable subject to conditions

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants must be:

  • An Indigenous organisation (≥51% owned/controlled) or Indigenous enterprise (≥50% Indigenous ownership); and be one of the following entity types:
  • company;
  • Indigenous corporation (including PBCs, Native Title Representative Bodies/Service Providers, Traditional Owner corporations/entities under relevant legislation, CATSI Act corporations);
  • Corporate Commonwealth or State/Territory entity;
  • incorporated trustee for a charitable trust;
  • incorporated association;
  • cooperative under Co‑operatives National Law; or Local Government.

Additional requirements include:

  • ABN;
  • GST registration (where relevant);
  • Australian financial institution account;
  • identification of proposed consultation area;
  • certification that the project complements (does not duplicate) other funded activities;
  • rectified non‑compliance with Commonwealth agreements;
  • and letters of support from entities representing Traditional Owners for the proposed area. Consortia are permitted with an eligible lead.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.