WA – Aboriginal Ranger Program Round 9

  • Applications open until 9 March 2026
  • Funding Per Applicant: Sustain Fund: No maximum grant amount specified; assets+infrastructure allowed up to 20% of grant value and capped at a combined $250,000. Activate Fund: No maximum grant amount specified; assets allowed up to 20% of grant value and capped at $250,000, Prepare Fund: Funding up to $250,000 is available
  • Activities are expected to run from 01 July 2026 to 30 June 2030. (Projects may start 1 July in 2026, 2027, 2028 or 2029; latest end 30 June 2030.)

The Western Australian Aboriginal Ranger Program (ARP) provides competitive grants to Aboriginal organisations to plan for, start or sustain ranger programs that deliver employment, training and on‑Country outcomes across regional and remote WA.

Round 9 offers up to $62 million through three streams: Sustain (for established ranger groups), Activate (to establish new, well‑planned ranger teams), and Prepare (to undertake planning and organisational readiness). Projects can commence on 1 July of any year from 2026 to 2029 and run no later than 30 June 2030. Funding can support wages, training, planning, operational costs, and (within set caps) assets and, for Sustain only, minor infrastructure essential to ranger work.

Key Requirements

  • Applicant type: Must be an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO)—incorporated, not‑for‑profit, majority Aboriginal‑governed, community‑connected—with legal capacity to contract. Individuals are not eligible.
  • Cultural authority & land access: Provide letters of support from relevant Traditional Owners/PBC/Regional Corporation as required, plus written permissions from all landowners/land managers for on‑Country operations (Sustain/Activate at application; Prepare acknowledges if required).
  • Geography: Activities must be in Western Australia outside the Perth metropolitan region (Round 9 is Royalties for Regions funded).
  • Program objectives: Empower Aboriginal ranger organisations to keep Country healthy, protect culture, strengthen community, grow Aboriginal employment and skills, and build organisational capacity and partnerships.
  • Value for money: Budgets must be proportionate and justified; admin/audit costs generally up to 20% of grant value; asset/infrastructure caps apply per fund.

 

What is eligible for funding?

  • Employment costs (ranger and support roles), super, allowances, wage‑related on‑costs (aligned to WA Government rangers agreement or industry rates
  • Administration & audit (e.g., rent, insurance, phones, utilities, audit fees) – typically up to 20% of total grant value.
  • Engagement & planning (Traditional Owner engagement, community meetings, facilitation, feasibility, business planning, Healthy Country planning
  • Operations (tools/equipment under $5,000, PPE, uniforms, trip costs, vehicle/vessel leasing, maintenance, fuel, insurance)
  • Training & capacity building (accredited/unaccredited training, licensing, mentoring, conferences, organisational capacity activities).
  • Assets (≥$5,000 per item): allowed in Sustain and Activate only, up to 20% of grant value and capped at $250,000
  • Infrastructure (e.g., sheds, basic facilities): Sustain only, up to 20% and within $250,000 combined with assets

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible entities:

  • Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) incorporated under relevant legislation (e.g., CATSI Act, Corporations Act or state‑based laws)
  • not‑for‑profit, majority Aboriginal‑governed, and connected to the communities they serve.

Other considerations:

  • Must demonstrate cultural authority, land access permissions, and readiness appropriate to the chosen fund
  • Non‑ACCOs (including companies/businesses) are not eligible applicants but may partner with an eligible ACCO; the funding agreement sits with the ACCO

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.