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Doubling Indigenous rangers to help close gap on jobs

24 November 2023
Media Release

The highly successful Indigenous Ranger Program (IRP) will receive a $359 million boost to double the number of Indigenous rangers by 2030, ahead of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Melbourne today. 

The $359 million investment will prioritise applicants committed to gender equality and new Indigenous Rangers Groups, particularly on Indigenous Protected Areas where a ranger program isn’t yet established. Indigenous Rangers offer First Nations communities social, cultural and economic benefits, while protecting the environment and boosting Australia’s regional economy.

First Nations women represent 33 per cent of the total Indigenous Rangers Program workforce (2021-2022), with their unique and vital roles ensuring women’s sites, knowledge, language and culture are maintained and protected.

The Commonwealth is investing a total of $1.3 billion to support the Indigenous Ranger Program from 2021 to 2028 and aims to increase the workforce from 1,900 to 3,800 by 2030.

Nationally, 55.7% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 25-64 were employed in 2021, with the Closing the Gap target aiming to lift to this to 62% by 2031.

For 65,000 years, First Nations people have been caretakers of Australia’s flora and fauna, land, rivers and sea, with Indigenous Rangers now combining traditional knowledge with conservation training to deliver important cultural, social and economic development outcomes.

For more information about the Indigenous Rangers Program Extension grant round, including the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and application details, visit GrantConnect Help and Information (grants.gov.au).

Guiding the implementation of the Rangers strategy will be a newly appointed Indigenous Ranger Reference Group. A team of Indigenous experts with land and sea management experience that will provide advice on how to strengthen the program's outcomes and support our Indigenous Rangers. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney:

“The Albanese Government’s $359 million expansion of the Indigenous Ranger Program demonstrates our commitment to empowering First Nations people, supporting self-determination and boosting social, environmental and economic outcomes.

“The Indigenous Rangers program is good for jobs and good for the environment. 

“It will mean more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will have the opportunity to do things like protect precious endangered species and control weeds and feral animals.

 “With more than 65,000 years of experience caring for Country, Indigenous Rangers hold unique and valuable skills in managing Australia’s natural environment – combining traditional skills passed down from their ancestors, with modern day science and technology.

“First Nations women and girls are vital in protecting sacred and cultural sites, and offer a range of unique skills and lore; it’s important they have the opportunity to continue the work of their mothers, grandmothers and all their women ancestors and pass this knowledge onto the next generation. Because there are no text books, no manuals.

“The $1.3 billion Indigenous Rangers Program ensures the wisdom, skills and cultural practices continue to be shared with future generations, while supporting employment and training opportunities and these are vital in Closing the Gap.”