QLD Indigenous Languages Grants 2026–27

Grants of $20,000 (excluding GST) per project
$200,000 available in total
Funding is spread across the state, with a share set aside for projects outside South East Queensland, including regional and remote communities
Projects must be finished by November 2027
Applications close at 8:00 am AEST on Monday 7 December 2026

Indigenous Languages Grants give Queensland organisations $20,000 for community-led projects that preserve, promote and revitalise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Funded projects might create language books, apps and dictionaries, record stories and songs, run language workshops, or set up mentoring between Elders and young people. Applications close at 8:00 am AEST on Monday 7 December 2026.

The program is run by the Queensland Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism. It supports the National Agreement on Closing the Gap target that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are strong, supported and flourishing.

Key Requirements

Cultural authority

Language groups, custodians and knowledge holders own their languages. Applicants must:

consult the relevant Language Owners, Elders, custodians and community representatives
include letters of support from the Language Owners and any key project partners
respect and protect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), and follow cultural protocols
support self-determination, and show community support for the project
name the language and its code from the AIATSIS AustLang database

Project requirements

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must be actively involved in designing, developing and delivering the project
The project must be community-based, not curriculum-based language teaching in schools
It must be delivered in Queensland, start from March 2027 and finish by November 2027
Staff and volunteers working with children or young people may need a Blue Card (Working with Children Check)

Reporting
Successful applicants submit a progress report by 30 September 2027, and a completion report with a financial acquittal by 30 November 2027.

The Indigenous Languages Grants 2026–27 guidelines explain the consultation and cultural protocol requirements in full.

What is eligible for funding?

Projects that help keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages spoken, documented, shared and maintained, such as:

Language resources: books, picture books, apps, word lists, sound charts, dictionaries and grammar guides
Recording and research: recording conversations, oral histories and songs, and researching archival material and historical collections
Digital preservation: digital libraries, community-controlled storage for language materials, and media libraries
Media: videos, podcasts and animations in language, and recorded welcomes in language
Bilingual signage: signs, communications and place-based resources that make language more visible
Community activities: workshops, yarning circles, study tours and mentoring between Language Owners or Elders and younger generations
Training: professional development for people who work, or want to work, in Indigenous languages

Eligible costs include venue and equipment hire, materials, printing and publishing, audio and video production, digital platforms and software, translation, facilitators and language specialists, Elders’ costs, and travel and accommodation directly related to the project.

What isn’t funded
Salaries and wages, administration and overheads, day-to-day operating costs, an organisation’s core business, costs incurred before the project is approved, capital works, buildings, land or major equipment, insurance, prizes, gifts, alcohol and auspice fees.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Organisations based in Queensland with an ABN that are one of the following:

a company incorporated in Australia, or a company limited by guarantee
an incorporated trustee applying on behalf of a trust
an incorporated association
a registered charity or not-for-profit
a local government body
a Queensland Government approved kindergarten program provider

Unincorporated groups can apply through an eligible auspice organisation that signs the funding agreement and takes legal and financial responsibility for the grant.

Government departments and agencies, Members of Parliament, individuals and sole traders can’t apply. Nor can public or private schools (including school parent associations), organisations not delivering services in Queensland, or previous applicants with an outstanding acquittal.

Organisations supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual artists may also want to look at the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) Program, a federal program with separate eligibility rules.

Frequently asked questions

How much is each grant?
Grants are $20,000 (excluding GST), from a total pool of $200,000.

Can schools apply?
>>>>>>No. Public and private schools, including parent associations, can’t apply, and classroom language teaching isn’t funded.

Can the grant pay staff wages?
No. Salaries and wages aren’t eligible. Costs for facilitators, language specialists and Elders can be covered.

Can an unincorporated community group apply?
Yes, through an eligible incorporated organisation acting as an auspice body.

When does the project need to happen?
Projects are expected to start from March 2027 and must be finished by November 2027.

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 a professional government grant writer consultant. Avant Group is Australia’s largest independent grants advisory firm. With only around 10 grants available statewide, clear language outcomes and strong evidence of Language Owner support can set your application apart. Find out more about our government grant writing and consulting service here.

How can I get help understanding if I’m eligible for this grant? 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.

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