Key information
- Status: Opening soon
- Grant amount: From $1,000 to $5,000
- Application opens: 9 February 2026
- Application closes: 22 March 2026, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee – NAIDOC - is celebrated nationally each year in the first full week of July (Sunday to Sunday). The committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and the acronym has since become the name of the week itself.
Aboriginal Affairs NSW supports the holding of events and activities in NSW to celebrate the 2026 NAIDOC week (5 July 2026 to 12 July 2026) that
- Celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and achievements
- Align with the theme of NAIDOC Week in 2026
- Promote a greater awareness and understanding of Aboriginal histories and/or cultures within the broader local or regional community
This program is administered by Aboriginal Affairs.
Eligibility
Who can apply
You must deliver services to Aboriginal communities in NSW and be a not-for-profit organisation that is one of the following categories:
- An Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO)
- An unincorporated Aboriginal group that has entered into an agreement with an eligible organisation to auspice the funding
- A not-for-profit organisation incorporated under the relevant State or Federal legislation and able to demonstrate the delivery of culturally safe projects in collaboration with Aboriginal organisations and/or communities
Who the grant is targeted towards
Aboriginal people and communities
Types of projects funded under this grant
Funding is to be used for activities and events that are held in NSW between 1 July and 31 October 2026 and meet the objectives of the NAIDOC Grants Program.
When the project can start and end
NAIDOC events and activities must take place between 1 July 2026 and 31 October 2026
The project should be started by 1 July 2026 and the project must be completed by 31 October 2026.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
Increased knowledge of Aboriginal histories, cultures and achievements across communities in NSW
Improved sense of well-being and pride in Aboriginal communities as NAIDOC Week theme is supported and celebrated
What costs you can apply for
NAIDOC grant funding can be used for
- The purchase of art or catering supplies
- Payment of artists, Elders or workshop facilitators
- Hire fees for venues or equipment for the purpose of the event or activity
Who can’t apply
You are not eligible to apply if you are:
- An individual
- Federal or State Government departments, agencies and bodies, this includes NSW Public schools and hospitals
- Private schools and education institutions
- NSW local councils
- For-profit organisations including Aboriginal businesses and sole traders
- Unincorporated Aboriginal organisations or groups without an eligible auspicing organisation
- Organisations that have outstanding obligations relating to previous funding received from Aboriginal Affairs NSW (AANSW) in the previous two years.
- An organisation with redress sanctions in place, as described in the National Redress Scheme
What costs you can't apply for
NAIDOC grant funding cannot be used for
- Events or activities outside of NSW
- Activities or events that are for the exclusive benefit of the applicant organisation
- Business operating costs including staff wages, rent and utilities
- Gift cards, vouchers, or alcohol
For the full list of ineligible costs, please see the NAIDOC Grants Program Guidelines on our website.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
- Activities and events that are held outside of NSW
- Koori Knock Out events and activities
- Activities or events that promote or allow alcohol or gambling
- Activities or events that are exclusively for the benefit of the applicant organisation and its staff
Example projects
The following are examples of the types of NAIDOC Week activities and events that have previously received funding:
- Community festivals and fun days
- Public exhibitions
- Community gatherings
- Cultural workshops
- NAIDOC-themed sporting activities or competitions
- Women’s, men’s and Elders-only activities
Additional eligibility requirements
Applicants and Auspices must also
- Be a legal entity located in NSW, or in a bordering community, that delivers services to Aboriginal communities in NSW
- Deliver the project in NSW between 1 July 2026 and 31 October 2026
- Have public liability insurance of at least $10 million per claim or be willing to purchase to support the project
- Have no outstanding reporting requirements relating to previous AANSW funding.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Mandatory documents
- Certificate of currency for public liability insurance of minimum $10 million – must be valid at time of application however it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure currency at the time of the NAIDOC event or activity
- Evidence of ACCO status may include certificate of ORIC registration, ORIC registration number or Rule book or Constitution
- A bank statement header, must include the name of the Bank, the applicant organisation Name BSB and Account number (please do not include financial transactions or any details of the amount of money in the account, this is private information)
- Auspice or Partnership Agreement, signed and dated (if an auspice or partnership arrangement has been entered into)
Recommended documents
- Evidence of budget item costs, may include quotes or screenshots of current pricing from websites
- Applicants are encouraged to provide supporting documents including evidence of successfully delivering other projects, detailed project plan, itemised budget etc
- Non-Aboriginal applicant organisations should demonstrate local Aboriginal community support and/or partnerships, (partnership agreements, statements or letters etc must be current and specific to the project).
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
All eligible applications will be assessed on their comparative merits against the following criteria, including 2026 NAIDOC Program objectives
- Alignment with 2026 NAIDOC theme - The activity or event supports the 2026 NAIDOC theme
- Alignment with the purpose of NAIDOC - The event or activity celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements
- Organisation’s capacity to deliver event or activity - Application demonstrates relevant experience and capacity to complete the project and manage grant funding and reporting.
- Value for money - The budget includes a detailed breakdown of items with a clear link between the budget items and planned expenditure to support the event or project activities
Start the application
Applications must be submitted via the Aboriginal Affairs NSW online NAIDOC Grants application portal at https://aboriginalaffairs.smartygrants.com.au/2026NAIDOC no later than 5:00pm 22 March 2026.
Late submissions will not be accepted or considered under any circumstances.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Deputy Secretary, Aboriginal Affairs NSW
Demand for the open and competitive NAIDOC Grants Program is always high. Applications will be assessed and scored against set criteria, those with the highest scores are more likely to be funded.
Applications will be screened for eligibility by AANSW Community Investments staff.
Eligible applications will then be assessed by AANSW Regional staff, followed by the Regional Managers’ panel discussion to confirm recommendations for funding to the Deputy Secretary AANSW.
The Deputy Secretary AANSW is the final decision-maker considering the recommendations of the assessment panel.
AANSW staff may request further information and/or clarification from applicants at any time during the assessment process.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is 29/05/2026
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 12/06/2026
Support and contact
Applicants can contact the AANSW Community Investments team for information via email or phone grants@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au or 1800 019 998
Applicants can contact AANSW Regional offices by phone to be directed to staff who can provide support as they will not be involved in making recommendations or decisions about the grant application.
AANSW Regional Office
Illawarra Southern Batemans Bay
02 9288 5575
New England and North-west Tamworth
02 8575 1172
Greater Northern Coffs Harbour
02 9566 8318
Murdi Paaki
Broken Hill & Bourke
02 9228 4877
Binaal Billa Dubbo
02 8575 1518
Hunter/ Central Coast Newcastle
02 9273 3968
Greater Sydney Sydney
02 8229 2389