Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: $150,000
- Application opened: 22 September 2025
- Application closed: 31 October 2025
Program objective
The Client Experience Initiative (CEI) focuses on improving a housing and social need that will achieve a positive outcome/s for Aboriginal people, families, and communities. This can include but not limited to initiatives around health, wellbeing, education, and employment.
We are calling for Aboriginal Organisation to identify a housing and social need that is impacting your community and outline how it can be addressed.
The Client Experience Initiative (CEI) aims to improve a need that will achieve positive outcome/s for Aboriginal people, families and communities through the implementation of an Aboriginal-led Co-design approach with successful Aboriginal Organisation, the involvement of other organisations and community members. This approach will ensure that the initiative is delivered in a way that works for local Aboriginal communities.
The total funding available for a CEI grant is up to $150,000 to the successful applicant.
This program is administered by Department of Communities and Justice.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible for the CEI 2025 funding grant, the following criteria must be met:
- The Applicant must be an Aboriginal Organisation as defined in NSW Aboriginal Procurement Policy.
- An Aboriginal business is one that has at least 50% Aboriginal ownership and that is recognised through an appropriate organisation.
- Supply Nation
- NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, or
- Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations.
- Or registered by the Aboriginal Housing Office NSW as an Aboriginal Community Housing Provider or Aboriginal Community Housing Organisation
- Other
- An Aboriginal business is one that has at least 50% Aboriginal ownership and that is recognised through an appropriate organisation.
- The proposed delivery location/s must be located within New South Wales
- The applicant must be able to demonstrate that the organisations has worked in the community that the Client Experience Initiative will be delivered.
- The Applicant Organisation must not currently be in receipt of funding for the proposed initiative from any other entity.
- The applicant must not have received funding to deliver an AHO Client Experience Initiative previously.
Types of projects funded under this grant
CEI aims to improve a need that will achieve a positive outcome/s for Aboriginal people, families, and communities through the implementation of an Aboriginal-led co-design approach with successful Aboriginal organisation, the involvement of other organisations and community members.
This approach will ensure the initiative is delivered in a way that works for local Aboriginal communities.
An Aboriginal consultancy will assist the successful organisation to develop a robust business plan/project proposal.
The AHO would like to invite you to apply if:
- You are an Aboriginal organisation located in NSW, with 50% or more Aboriginal ownership.
- Your organisation works closely with your community and has a good understanding of what the community needs are.
- You have the capacity to deliver the project in the allocated timeframe with a dedicated worker.
- You have the capacity to collect data and complete reporting as needed.
- You are interested in co-designing with the AHO and other stakeholders, government, or non-government agencies.
When the project can start and end
The project should be started by 22 September 2025 and the project must be completed by 31 October 2025.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Throughout the application, applicants may need to include the following attachments:
- Support Letters.
- Business Plan or Latest Annual Report.
- Third Party Quotes.
- Evidence of organisation being an Aboriginal Business.
- Evidence of organisation working with in the past or currently working with local stakeholders to support the Aboriginal Communities in the proposed project location.
- Evidence of primary housing need/s and community social need/s.
- Evidence of previous community initiatives your organisation has delivered.
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
Weighted Criteria
Initiative - 35%
- Meets the objectives addressing social needs and what outcomes will the initiative achieve
- Clearly demonstrates an initiative / solution including co-design that maximises benefit to the community.
- Evidence of community consultation and the initiative is supported by the community
Capacity and Capability - 15%
- Relevant initiative experience, delivery team including partner (co-design) and references.
- Previous experience.
Budget - 20%
- Is within the allocated budget amount.
- Budget is reasonable and realistic.
- Quotes to support the activities / detailed budget aligned with the project activities.
- Value for money.
Benefits and measures of Success - 15%
- Clearly outlines how the activity will benefit and have positive outcomes for the community.
- Clearly outlines the desired outcomes, data collection and how they will be measured.
Risk Mitigation - 15%
- Must consider all potential risks for initiative and outline them in risk register template, identify clear consideration and mitigation for risks.
Start the application
Successful applications will be decided by: The Evaluation Committee (AHO)
Applicants will be advised in writing of the outcome of their application.
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Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: The Evaluation Committee and Panel Members (AHO)
Indicative Timetable
An indicative timetable for the grant assessment process is as follows:
Applications close: 31/10/2025 11:59p.m.
Assessment completed: November 2025
Successful applicants notified: 10/12/2025
Disclaimer, this timeline is subject to change.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is December 2025
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is December 2025
Support and contact
Aboriginal Housing Office - Client Outcomes
Name: Natasha Gibson
Position: Senior Project Officer
e-mail: ClientOutcomes@aho.gov.nsw.au