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Top Tips for Submitting an ABA Application

10 October 2021
Grants and Funding
Indigenous woman writing on paper with a pen and the Aboriginal flag in the background, a laptop computer in the foreground and the following words displayed: Top tips for writing your Aboriginal Benefit Grant Application

The Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA) grant funding round is open for applications.

What is the ABA

The ABA is a Special Account established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. 

The ABA receives monies from the Commonwealth based on the value of royalties generated from mining on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory (NT).

Projects must benefit Aboriginal people in the NT and align with the objectives of supporting Indigenous enterprises; community; culture, language and leadership; or supporting land, sea and waters management and use.

How to Apply

1. Visit the ABA website

  • Determine if you are eligible for ABA funding
  • Read the ABA Supplementary Info to see what is required
  • Prepare a list of questions to discuss with the ABA team in Darwin.

2. Talk to the ABA team before preparing your application to ensure your proposal fits with ABA

  • Call the ABA team in Darwin on 1800 354 612
  • Email us at aba@official.niaa.gov.au 
  • Arrange to meet with us face to face (where COVIDsafe to do so)

3. Prepare your supporting documentation

  • Budget

    ​You will need to submit a proposed budget for the life of the project using the template from the ABA website.
  • Quotes

    If your proposal includes the purchase of equipment, formal quotes not more than 12 months old are required
  • Viability of business application

    If your application is business related, you must consult Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) and submit IBA’s viability assessment of your proposal.
  • Leasing Aboriginal Land

    A lease or other land agreement is needed for proposals that will develop assets on Aboriginal land. If you don’t have a lease or agreement, you need to let us know if you have applied for one and the status of that application.
  • Land acquisition and management

    If your proposal relates to land purchase/management or agriculture, consult Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) and submit the form for land proposals from the ABA web page with your application and attach the correspondence.
  • Project management or business plan

    A project management or business plan is required for projects requesting funding of over $500,000.
  • Letters of support

    Applications are strengthened by attaching letters of support from people who will directly benefit from the project. Confirmation that responsible funding bodies are unable to fund your project should also be provided if applicable.

4. Submit your application

Applications are submitted using the online application form from the ABA website and Grants Connect.

If you cannot access the online application form please call the ABA team on 1800 354 612, or send an email to aba@official.niaa.gov.au

Find out more

For more information on the ABA including the ABA Supplementary Information  and whether your organisation is eligible to apply, visit the National Indigenous Australians Agency website.