Aboriginal Languages Sector Development Program 2025

Organisations that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply

• 51% or more Aboriginal Owned and Controlled Charity (ACNC registered)
• 51% or more Aboriginal Owned and Controlled Not-For-Profit organisation that commits to applying for ACNC registration before Funding Agreement 
• NSW Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW).
• Aboriginal Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth).

NSW Aboriginal Language Organisations - NSW based incorporated not-for-profit Aboriginal Community organisations, whose primary activities relate to the revitalisation and transmission of NSW Aboriginal Languages (local and/or regional). They are already contributing to the Languages sector through the training and employment of Languages workers and can demonstrate meaningful Languages outcomes aligned to the aspirations of and to the benefit of their respective NSW Language Community(s). They are seeking to create new jobs and secure sustainable employment for Aboriginal Language workers, stabilise and grow their existing operations, and reclaim and revitalise Aboriginal Languages in NSW for the ongoing benefit of their Community(s).

Projects that

• Strengthen and grow the NSW Aboriginal Languages Sector through the creation of new sustainable job opportunities and secure employment for Aboriginal Language workers, stabilise Aboriginal Language Organisation operations, and reclaim and revitalise Aboriginal Languages in NSW, and
• Contribute to the NSW Government’s priorities and outcomes for Aboriginal Languages, including those under Target 16 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the NSW International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032.

Funding will be provided to support identified Aboriginal Language workforce requirements between 1st July 2025 and 30th June 2026

The project should be started by 1 July 2025 and the project must be completed by 30 June 2026.

Support existing Aboriginal Language Organisations to grow the Aboriginal Languages workforce that will in turn reclaim and revitalise Aboriginal Languages in NSW through:

• activities that reclaim and reawaken Aboriginal Language Knowledge through archival research and linguistic analysis,
• activities that promote, develop and maintain Aboriginal Language records and data,
• the creation and development of Aboriginal Language learning resources accessible to Aboriginal Communities,
• engaging Aboriginal Communities in Aboriginal Language revitalisation activities,
• delivery of Aboriginal Language education through Language tutoring, classes and workshops in many settings,
• delivery of Aboriginal Language translation services,
• training and development of Aboriginal Language workers and educators,
• networking and collaborating across Aboriginal Communities, Nations and Language Groups, and
• coordination of long-term Community Language Planning to grow Aboriginal Language use into the future.

Examples of the types of activities that can be funded under the Grant Program include Aboriginal Language Organisation operational costs including:

• Employment of Aboriginal Language Organisation staff including professional development, staff travel, salaries and overheads in alignment with ALT legislated functions and Grant Program outcomes
• Board and governance costs (excluding Board sitting fees)
• Business administration costs
• Accounting and financial services
• Licensing and insurances
• Facilities & building maintenance (minor repairs, rent, power, water etc.)

The following are not eligible to apply:

• Individuals and sole traders;
• Federal, State or Local Government agency and/or body, including public schools and hospitals;
• School, University, TAFE, Adult and/or Adult and Community Education (ACE) organisation;
• For-profit organisations, including Aboriginal businesses;
• Unincorporated organisation or groups;
• Organisations or groups that have not met project requirements, including acquittal and reporting for funding received from the Aboriginal Languages Trust in the previous two years;
• Organisations found to have provided false or misleading information in applying for previous grants through the ALT.

 Note: Applicants who are not eligible for funding cannot apply through an eligible organisation under an auspice arrangement. For example, an Aboriginal for-profit business, cannot apply for program funding through an auspice arrangement with an Aboriginal Community Not-for-Profit organisation

Funding cannot be used for:

• Project specific costs (the Grant is designed to focus on the establishment of new sustainable job opportunities and secure employment (including training, experience and professionalisation opportunities) for current Aboriginal Language workers not cover the other costs associated with delivery of specific Aboriginal Language projects). This in turn will support and enhance NSW Language revitalisation in NSW.
• Capital purchases, such as buildings, purchase of land, or construction major capital works, including major building renovations. Proposals for minor building repairs will be considered only where the building is owned by the Aboriginal Languages Organisation and where it can be demonstrated to directly impact the achievement of the Grant Program objectives.
• Purchasing or leasing large equipment including any type of vehicle.
• Buying a business.
• Board remuneration or sitting fees.
• International travel costs. Proposals for domestic travel need to demonstrate benefit to the project, organisation, or Community.
• Costs that are not directly associated with the delivery of the Aboriginal Language Organisation activities.

Funding cannot be used for:

• Projects that do not contribute to the NSW Aboriginal Languages sector through employment of Language workers.
• Capital purchases, such as buildings, purchase of land, or construction major capital works, including major building renovations. Proposals for minor building repairs will be considered only where the building is owned by the Aboriginal Languages Organisation and where it can be demonstrated to directly impact the achievement of the Grant Program objectives.
• Purchasing or leasing large equipment including any type of vehicle.
• Buying a business.
• Board remuneration or sitting fees.
• International travel costs. Proposals for domestic travel need to demonstrate benefit to the project, organisation, or Community.
• Costs that are not directly associated with the delivery of the Aboriginal Language Organisation activities.

Examples of the types of activities that can be funded under the Grant Program include Aboriginal Language Organisation operational costs including:

• Employment of Aboriginal Language Organisation staff including professional development, staff travel, salaries and overheads in alignment with ALT legislated functions and Grant Program outcomes
• Board and governance costs (excluding Board sitting fees)
• Business administration costs
• Accounting and financial services
• Licensing and insurances
• Facilities & building maintenance (minor repairs, rent, power, water etc.)

ABN and registered for GST (as minimum Grant amount exceeds ATO thresholds for GST registration)