NT Aboriginal Tourism Development in NT Parks and Reserves Grant Program

NT Aboriginal Tourism Development in NT Parks and Reserves Grant Program

  • Funding available between $10K and $100K
  • Total funding pool of $400K is available
  • Applications are open until Friday 6 March 2026, or earlier if funding is fully subscribed

Tourism NT is providing a funding pool of $400K to assist in the creation of Aboriginal cultural experiences and tourism products in Joint Managed Parks. The minimum funding for applicants is $10K, while the maximum is $100K.

Key Requirements

The Northern Territory Aboriginal Tourism Strategy 2020–2030 is referenced as the guiding framework. The NT Aboriginal Tourism Development in NT Parks and Reserves Grant Program supports NT majority Aboriginal-owned businesses and organisations to develop cultural tourism experiences in NT Parks. The Northern Territory Parks Masterplan 2023–2053 aims for Aboriginal-led tourism operations on 50% of parks and reserves suitable for tourism development by 2053.

All projects must be completed by 15 May 2026.

Eligible locations: The program supports projects in all NT Parks and Reserves, not just Joint Managed Parks.

Recipients must provide a final report and evidence of expenditure to receive the final payment.

What is eligible for funding?

The activities that are eligible for funding are as follows:

  • Aboriginal tourism products or experiences in NT Parks
  • New or improved Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences
  • Business coaching
  • Learning trips or exchanges
  • Assistance with applications, lease and operational agreements
  • Infrastructure upgrades, including interpretive signage
  • Sustainable, accessible, and inclusive infrastructure (e.g. solar, ramps, pathways, audio tours)

What companies are eligible for funding?

In order to be eligible applicants must:

  • At least 50% Aboriginal owned
  • Located and operating in the NT
  • Legally constituted with an ABN or ACN
  • No outstanding grant obligations with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
  • Aboriginal Corporations/Associations must provide:
    • A letter from at least two Directors or
    • Minutes from a duly constituted meeting

Additional requirements for actively trading Aboriginal tourism businesses:

  • Must be listed in the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) or applying
  • Must be a member of or applying to Tourism Top End, Tourism Central Australia, or Hospitality NT
  • Must employ NT residents

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.