The Australian Government, through its various Departments and Agencies, provides one off or longer term support to individuals, groups and organisations for many different purposes. Visit GrantConnnect for an overview of what is available.

Long-term support

See the list of payments and services available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians at Indigenous Australians through Services Australia. It includes:

• Parenting Payment
• JobSeeker Payment
• Carer Allowance
• Age Pension
• ABSTUDY
• Crisis and special help
• Family and domestic violence and more…

Personal & ad-hoc

Contact your local NIAA office for other financial support such as:

• travel to a funeral
• travel and accommodation when selected in a representative sporting team
• sporting team’s uniforms
• one off training or license fees
  • Forklift training and license
  • Fishing license
  • Truck license and more….

While the NIAA does not provide support for these types of activities directly, our regional offices can direct you to organisations that do.

Community infrastructure & land development

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) funds many different projects under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS).

IAS grants include Community led proposals such as:

• Building a community centre
• Developing a sporting ground
• Establishing a community radio station
• Community memorials

For advice on how to apply for these grants, contact our nearest NIAA regional office.

Community events & associations

The NIAA funds many different activities under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS).

IAS grants include Community led proposals such as:

• Cultural festivals
• Sporting festivals
• Sporting teams
• Dance groups
• Memorial services
• Environment groups

For advice on how to apply for these grants, contact our nearest NIAA regional office.

NAIDOC

NAIDOC local grants enable communities to host their own events to celebrate NAIDOC Week and to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, achievements and continuing contributions to our country and society. Find out more about NAIDOC Week Local Grants funding.

Education and Training

ABSTUDY

ABSTUDY is a Services Australia study assistance program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and apprentices with long-term support including study costs and housing if you need to travel to study.

Services Australia has created an ABSTUDY eKit to make it easier for community organisations to share information about ABSTUDY in the community. The eKit contains information about the different payments ABSTUDY students may get, depending on age and situation.

Further information and how to apply can be found on the Services Australia website or at your local Centrelink office.

Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians (tertiary education)

Scholarships are provided to successful applicants of up to $5000 a year to undertake an Approved Course of Study in one of 10 specified regional years. More information can be found on Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.

Tailored Assistance Employment Grants

Tailored Assistance Employment Grants assist individuals into employment by funding traineeships and cadetships.

Housing Loans

Information and assistance with housing loans is available at Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).

Business Loans

Information and assistance with all apects of business, including loans, is available at Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).

Languages & Arts

The Office for the Arts provides funding through the:

• Indigenous Language and Arts program
  • Funding round ends 30 June 2020
• Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program
  • next funding round may begin November 2020. (keep checking the website).

Native Title

A network of native title representative bodies and native title service providers can assist native title claimants and holders. Contact details are available on the NIAA website.

Also, see Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBC) Capacity Building Funding which assists native title holding corporations to generate economic benefits from their land.

ABA Grants (Northern Territory)

Indigenous organisations in the Northern Territory seeking funding for projects to improve the lives of Aboriginal people are invited to apply for grants in the latest Aboriginals Benefit Account (ABA) round. For help in compiling your application, see Top Tips for Submitting an ABA Application. This is an open non-competitive funding which closes on 30 June 2023.

We will continue to post stories and announcements about grants and funding here but for more up-to-date and complete information, go to Grants and Funding on the National Indigenous Australians Agency website.