The Program aims to deliver tangible local benefit and impact to Aboriginal communities against the Closing the Gap socio-economic outcome targets, recognising that Aboriginal communities have the solutions to problems or issues in their community.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $1 to $250,000
- Application opened: 2 October 2023
- Application closed: 30 October 2023, 10:00 am
Program objective
The Community and Place Grants Program aims to support one-off projects which include programs, equipment, vehicles and infrastructure developed by local Aboriginal communities and with local community support to drive change and contribute towards the 17 socio-economic outcome targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap launch.
The projects must contribute to the Closing the Gap targets specifically,not the broad outcome area.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the 17 socio-economic outcome targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Detailed information can be found on the Closing the Gap launch website.
This program is administered by Aboriginal Affairs.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible for an Aboriginal Affairs NSW Community and Place Grant you must:
• Be an Aboriginal and or/Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO);
OR •
Be an unincorporated Aboriginal community group with an eligible auspice organisation.
Applicants or their auspice organisation must:
• Be an eligible legal entity located in NSW, and able to enter into a funding agreement with Aboriginal Affairs NSW Premier’s Department, have an Australian bank account, and an Australian Business Number (ABN);
• Have public liability insurance of at least $10 million per claim or include the cost of insurance within their application.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Projects could include:
• Activities, programs, the purchase or lease of equipment and capital works.
• A single project or multiple activities that form a larger project.
• Local partnership projects where all parties are Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), or Aboriginal community groups, and a tangible program or infrastructure outcome is being delivered in an Aboriginal community.
When the project can start and end
Community and Place Applicant Checklist (nsw.gov.au)
The project should be started by 1 July 2024 and the project must be completed by 30 June 2025.
What costs you can apply for
Eligible costs are:
• Wages for program management (nonongoing roles)
• Costs for specialised facilitators and/or trainers
• Costs associated with staff training for specific program delivery (noting this must be linked to the project application and identified outcomes)
• Promotional materials, such as flyers, social media and advertising
• Program related materials and resources, including art supplies, workbooks, course materials, (for equipment, see equipment and vehicles eligible costs)
• Venue hire and catering
• Transport hire (for vehicle purchase, see equipment and vehicles eligible costs)
• Up to 10 percent of the total application for project management and administration (this includes auspicing fees)
• Construction costs, including tools and materials
• Wages for contractors and consultants
• Wages for non-ongoing staff to support project delivery
• Accessibility and safety installations
• Emergency management and safety upgrades
• Applicants may include up to 25 percent of the total infrastructure component of their application as contingency (where relevant), and up to 10 percent of the total application for project management and administration. Design, including regulatory applications and approvals costs, must be listed as administration costs.
• Purchase or lease of cars, buses and trailers
• Costs associated with driver training for specialised vehicles
• Computer hardware and installation
• Computer software and licensing
• Vehicle extras such as; accessibility equipment, insurance, car seats and the fitting of these
• Office furniture and equipment
• Equipment needed for service provision
• Repair to specialised equipment
• Licensing and Registration fees
Who can’t apply
You are not eligible if you are:
• An Individual • Incorporated not-for-profit organisations not controlled or operated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Unincorporated groups which are not led by Aboriginal people.
• Federal and State Government agencies and bodies.
• NSW Public Schools.
• For-profit organisations, including Aboriginal businesses.
• Unincorporated organisations or groups without an eligible auspicing organisation.
• Organisations that have not met project requirements, including acquittal and reporting, for funding received from Aboriginal Affairs NSW in the previous two years.
• Organisations with redress sanctions, as described in the National Redress Scheme.
What costs you can't apply for
Funding cannot be used for:
• State-wide projects.
• Projects in a community outside NSW.
• Wages, salaries, and on-costs for ongoing roles.
• Sitting fees, travel allowance, or costs associated with membership of boards/councils.
• International travel costs. Proposals for domestic travel costs need to demonstrate the benefits of travel to the project, organisation, and community.
• Activities that may create an ongoing dependency on Community and Place Grants Program, i.e., funding over multiple years.
• Costs that are not directly associated with the delivery of the project that is funded by the grant.
• Project costs that are supported by another grant, subsidy or financial assistance.
• Project works or costs that have been or will be covered by insurance claims (for example, repairs following weather events).
• Project costs incurred prior to the earliest possible project start date of 1 July 2024.
• Costs to cover existing debts or budget deficits.
• General operational or business as usual costs.
• Maintenance or construction of residential infrastructure.
• Cost of project items that have already received grant funding, including through Community and Place Round 1.
Please see Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information on what can and can’t be funded.
Most recent recipients
What was approved
Approved for Yula-Punaal Education and Healing Aboriginal Corporation
Yula-Punaal’s Cultural Education building will require an infrastructure grant to complete its construction. The building is part of Yula-Punaal, an organisation that provides cultural education and land management programs and offers On-Country experiences for communities in a culturally safe environment.
$117,900 was approved by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and TreatyDate approved
May 2024Location of the project
Lake Macquarie City CouncilLocation of the recipient
Lake Macquarie City CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
75
Applications received
161
Aboriginal Affairs NSW 2023-2024 Community and Place Grants
Program term
Program must be delivered by 30/06/2025What was approved
Approved for Baaka Cultural Centre Wilcannia Aboriginal Corporation
The Baaka Cultural Centre is a community driven project promoting the culture of the Baakantji people, with the aim to encourage local business development, provide employment and social wellbeing for the community. The Cultrual Centure will purchase and install infrastructure, lighting, sound, IT requirements and a Language Lab.
$250,000 was approved by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and TreatyDate approved
May 2024Location of the project
Wilcannia 2836Location of the recipient
Central Darling Shire CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
75
Applications received
161
Aboriginal Affairs NSW 2023-2024 Community and Place Grants
Program term
Program must be delivered by 30/06/2025What was approved
Approved for Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council
Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council aims to support our Woman's Group to take referrals from Mental Health Providers allowing heir clients to attend our group by providing Support and Mental Health First Aid Training Courses. Bahtabah will be targeting Wellness and Suicide prevention.
$158,000 was approved by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and TreatyDate approved
May 2024Location of the project
Blacksmiths 2281Location of the recipient
Lake Macquarie City CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
75
Applications received
161
Aboriginal Affairs NSW 2023-2024 Community and Place Grants
Program term
Program must be delivered by 30/06/2025What was approved
Approved for Bara Barang Corporation Ltd
Infrastructure and landscaping for the Raspberry Fields site to enhance the facilities where Bara Barang Corporation Ltd manages on-country training and cultural experiences.
$198,000 was approved by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and TreatyDate approved
May 2024Location of the project
Mangrove Mountain 2250Location of the recipient
Central Coast CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
75
Applications received
161
Aboriginal Affairs NSW 2023-2024 Community and Place Grants
Program term
Program must be delivered by 30/06/2025What was approved
Approved for Barang Regional Alliance
The purchase of two vehicles and a BBQ trailer will be used across seven Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations for community events, gatherings and celebrations. The vehicles and trailer will be available for all Opt In Organisations across the Alliance to better meet community engagement needs.
$180,000 was approved by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and TreatyDate approved
May 2024Location of the project
Mardi 2259Location of the recipient
Central Coast CouncilAbout the grant
Applications approved
75
Applications received
161
Aboriginal Affairs NSW 2023-2024 Community and Place Grants
Program term
Program must be delivered by 30/06/2025What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
N/A
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
- Alignment with the Community and Place Grants Program objective to deliver tangible benefit and impact against the Closing the Gap socioeconomic outcome targets in a local Aboriginal community
- Demonstrated local Aboriginal community support
- Value for money
- Capacity to deliver
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty
Stage One – Expression of Interest Application Expression of interest (EOI) applications will be initially reviewed by AANSW staff for applicant eligibility and community need.
A panel comprised of senior officers from AANSW and across NSW government will review all EOIs and complete a merit assessment on program alignment.
Recommendations from the EOI stage will be approved by the Deputy Secretary for Aboriginal Affairs NSW.
Stage Two – Full Grant Application Full grant applications will be assessed by AANSW Regional Teams and an assessment officer from Aboriginal Affairs NSW, based on the assessment criteria.
Ineligible and unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing.
The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty is the final decision-maker for funding.
The Minister will consider the recommendations of the assessment panel in this decision-making. AANSW staff may request additional information and/or clarification from applicants at any time during the assessment process.
Part funding may be offered where an application includes ineligible activities or budget items. Independent probity advisors will provide guidance on issues concerning integrity, fairness, and accountability that may arise throughout the application, assessment, and decision process.
This helps to ensure decisions are made with integrity, fairness, and accountability, while delivering value for money for NSW
Anticipated assessment outcome date is May 2024
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is June 2024
Support and contact
AANSW Community Investments team via emailgrants@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au