Request for Applications: Protecting Our Places Program (Australia)

Deadline: 31-Jul-2026

The Protecting Our Places Program provides grants of AUD 150,000 to AUD 250,000 to support Aboriginal communities in New South Wales in protecting, restoring, and managing culturally significant lands and waterways. The program promotes Aboriginal leadership, cultural heritage protection, environmental conservation, and Healthy Country through community-led projects.

Program Overview

The Protecting Our Places Program supports Aboriginal-led initiatives that protect and restore landscapes, waterways, and places of cultural significance across New South Wales.

The program empowers Aboriginal communities to lead projects that strengthen cultural heritage, preserve traditional knowledge, improve environmental stewardship, and promote long-term care of Country. It encourages collaboration between Aboriginal communities, land managers, and government agencies while ensuring Aboriginal people play a leading role in managing their ancestral lands and waterways.

Grant at a Glance

• Program: Protecting Our Places Program
• Country: Australia
• Eligible Location: New South Wales
• Grant Amount: AUD 150,000–AUD 250,000
• Target Applicants: Eligible Aboriginal organizations in New South Wales
• Program Focus: Aboriginal-led environmental and cultural heritage projects

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Strengthen Aboriginal leadership in land and water management.
• Protect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
• Restore culturally significant landscapes and waterways.
• Preserve and share cultural knowledge.
• Promote Healthy Country practices.
• Support Aboriginal environmental stewardship.
• Strengthen connections between Aboriginal people and Country.
• Increase Aboriginal participation in environmental decision-making.

Funding Priorities

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following priorities:

• Aboriginal community leadership.
• Cultural heritage protection.
• Cultural knowledge sharing.
• Environmental conservation.
• Landscape restoration.
• Waterway restoration.
• Healthy Country initiatives.
• Cultural practices.
• Aboriginal land management.
• Community empowerment.
• Environmental stewardship.
• Protection of culturally significant lands and waterways.

Understanding the Program

The Protecting Our Places Program recognizes the important role Aboriginal communities play in caring for Country and preserving cultural heritage.

Funding supports projects that enable Aboriginal communities to lead environmental management activities while protecting traditional knowledge and strengthening cultural connections. The program also encourages partnerships that respect Aboriginal leadership and contribute to long-term environmental sustainability.

Program Objectives in Detail

The program has three key objectives:

• Enable Aboriginal communities to lead projects that protect cultural heritage, cultural practices, and the environment.
• Promote the sharing and safeguarding of Aboriginal cultural knowledge among communities, government agencies, and the broader public while supporting Aboriginal influence in environmental management.
• Support the protection, restoration, improvement, and long-term management of culturally significant lands and waterways through partnerships that promote Healthy Country and strengthen connections to traditional lands and waters.

Examples of Eligible Project Activities

Projects may include:

• Restoration of culturally significant landscapes.
• Waterway conservation and rehabilitation.
• Cultural heritage protection initiatives.
• Traditional land management practices.
• Community-led environmental restoration.
• Healthy Country projects.
• Cultural knowledge documentation and sharing.
• Habitat restoration.
• Environmental education activities.
• Community engagement and stewardship initiatives.

Why This Grant Matters

Aboriginal communities have maintained strong cultural, spiritual, and environmental connections to Country for thousands of years.

The Protecting Our Places Program helps communities:

• Protect culturally significant places.
• Preserve Aboriginal knowledge and traditions.
• Improve environmental health.
• Strengthen community leadership.
• Restore important ecosystems.
• Support future generations through sustainable land and water management.
• Promote Aboriginal self-determination in environmental decision-making.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
• NSW Aboriginal Corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.
• NSW Incorporated Associations registered under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009.
• Non-distributing NSW Co-operatives registered under the Co-operatives National Law and related legislation.
• NSW Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate.
• Australian Public Companies Limited by Guarantee operating as registered charities with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Registered charities must:

• Demonstrate that their primary purpose is supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in New South Wales.
• Provide a copy of their constitution.
• Where possible, include a letter of support from:
  • NSW Aboriginal Land Council.
  • Local Aboriginal Land Council.
  • Another eligible registered Aboriginal organization.

Other Aboriginal organizations or community groups may also apply if supported by an eligible organization acting as the External Manager.

Associations and co-operatives will undergo additional eligibility checks to confirm they:

• Operate on a not-for-profit or non-distributing basis.
• Primarily benefit local Aboriginal communities.
• Involve Aboriginal people in their governance and activities.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Applications will not be accepted from:

• Non-Aboriginal organizations.
• Non-Aboriginal companies.
• Individuals.
• Industry joint ventures.
• Profit-distributing corporations.
• Co-operatives limited by shares.

Funding Information

Funding details include:

• Minimum Grant: AUD 150,000
• Maximum Grant: AUD 250,000

Funding supports projects that protect, restore, and manage culturally significant lands and waterways.

Expected Outcomes

Successful projects should contribute to:

• Stronger Aboriginal leadership.
• Improved protection of cultural heritage.
• Healthier landscapes and waterways.
• Increased community participation.
• Stronger cultural knowledge sharing.
• Better environmental stewardship.
• Sustainable land and water management.
• Enhanced connections between Aboriginal people and Country.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the following steps:

1. Confirm that your organization meets the eligibility requirements.
2. Develop an Aboriginal-led project focused on culturally significant lands or waterways.
3. Ensure the project aligns with the program objectives and funding priorities.
4. Prepare a detailed project plan, budget, and implementation timeline.
5. Gather any required supporting documents, including your constitution and letters of support where applicable.
6. If applying as another Aboriginal organization or group, secure an eligible External Manager.
7. Submit the completed application with all required documentation before the application deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without meeting eligibility requirements.
• Failing to demonstrate Aboriginal leadership.
• Submitting projects unrelated to culturally significant land or water management.
• Omitting required supporting documents.
• Providing unrealistic budgets.
• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Failing to demonstrate community benefit.

Tips for a Strong Application

To strengthen your application:

• Demonstrate strong Aboriginal community leadership.
• Clearly explain the cultural significance of the project area.
• Show long-term environmental and cultural benefits.
• Include partnerships with local stakeholders where appropriate.
• Present measurable outcomes.
• Provide evidence of community support.
• Prepare a realistic and transparent budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Protecting Our Places Program?

Eligible applicants include NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Aboriginal Corporations, Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate, eligible charities, incorporated associations, and non-distributing co-operatives that meet the program requirements.

How much funding is available?

Grants range from AUD 150,000 to AUD 250,000.

What types of projects are supported?

The program supports projects focused on cultural heritage protection, landscape and waterway restoration, Healthy Country initiatives, environmental conservation, cultural knowledge sharing, and Aboriginal land management.

Can registered charities apply?

Yes. Registered charities may apply if their primary purpose is supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in New South Wales and they meet the additional eligibility requirements.

Can Aboriginal community groups apply without legal incorporation?

Yes. Other Aboriginal organizations or groups may apply if an eligible organization agrees to act as the External Manager.

Who is not eligible to apply?

Non-Aboriginal organizations, companies, individuals, industry joint ventures, and profit-distributing corporations or co-operatives limited by shares are not eligible.

What makes a strong application?

Strong applications demonstrate Aboriginal leadership, clear cultural significance, measurable environmental outcomes, community support, realistic project planning, and alignment with the program objectives.

Conclusion

The Protecting Our Places Program provides significant funding to help Aboriginal communities across New South Wales protect culturally important lands and waterways while strengthening cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and Healthy Country practices. By supporting Aboriginal-led conservation and restoration projects, the program promotes self-determination, preserves traditional knowledge, and helps ensure that future generations remain connected to Country through sustainable environmental management.

For more information, visit NSW Government.