Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $1,000 to $6,000
- Application opened: 24 July 2026
- Application closes: 14 August 2026, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The objective of the NSW Aboriginal Languages Week Grant Program is to support events and activities that celebrate Aboriginal Languages in NSW to:
- Raise awareness of the history and future of NSW Aboriginal Languages
- Showcase NSW Languages work and celebrate Languages achievements
- Increase support for NSW Languages revitalisation and promote “best practice” Languages use
- Encourage participation in Languages learning, particularly young Aboriginal people
- Connect mob to Languages learning, education, and employment opportunities
- Aligns with the objectives and functions of the Aboriginal Languages Act 2017 (NSW) and aligns with the \Aboriginal Languages Trust Strategic Plan 2022-2027
This program is administered by Aboriginal Languages Trust.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Who can apply for funding:
To be eligible you must be:
- an Aboriginal Community-controlled, not-for-profit organisation working with Aboriginal communities in NSW, and one of the following organisation types:
- Aboriginal Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth).
- a company incorporated in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
- a Local Aboriginal Land Council under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW)
- An Incorporated Association under state legislation.
- An Incorporated Cooperative under state legislation.
- An Incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust.
- An unincorporated Aboriginal Community group or individual/sole trader with an auspice that meets all the above criteria
Note: Applicants must be located in NSW and/or delivering a service to communities within NSW.
Note: Applicants must have public liability of at least $10 million per claim.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Funding can be used for projects that meet any of the aims and objectives of NSW Aboriginal Languages Week Grant Program, to:
- Raise awareness of the history and future of NSW Aboriginal Languages
- Showcase NSW Languages work and celebrate Languages achievements
- Increase support for NSW Languages revitalisation and promote “best practice” Languages use
- Encourage participation in Languages learning, particularly young Aboriginal people
- Connect mob to the Languages learning, education, and employment opportunities
- Aligns with the objectives and functions of the Aboriginal Languages Act 2017 (NSW) and aligns with the ALT Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027 » Aboriginal Languages Trust (nsw.gov.au)
When the project can start and end
Project delivery timeframe (for successful applications)
18/10/2026 –25/10/2026 (Aboriginal Languages Week)
The project should be started by 18 October 2026 and the project must be completed by 25 October 2026.
What costs you can apply for
Funding can be used:
- To purchase materials and consumables such as art supplies, personal and protective equipment (PPE) and catering (excluding alcohol) – for the purpose of the project, activity or event.
- To pay workshop facilitators, Language practitioners, Elders and Language knowledge holders.
- For rental or hire fees for the purpose of the project, activity or event.
Who can’t apply
The following are not eligible to apply:
- Tiers 2 and 3 recipients of the ALT Language Centres Partnership Grant Program
- Federal, State or Local Government agencies and/or bodies, including public schools and hospitals;
- Public schools, Universities, TAFEs, Adult and/or Adult and Community Education (ACE) organisations;
- For-profit organisations, including Aboriginal businesses;
- Unincorporated organisation or groups without an eligible auspicing organisation;
- Organisations or groups that have not met project requirements, including acquittal and reporting for funding received from the ALT in the previous two years;
- Organisations found to have provided false or misleading information in applying for previous grants through the ALT.
What costs you can't apply for
Funding cannot be used for:
- Activities and events that have already been held.
- Capital purchases, such as buildings, construction capital works including renovations, or purchase of land.
- Purchasing or leasing large equipment, including any type of vehicle.
- Buying a business or tools of trade.
- Sitting fees, travel allowance, or costs associated with membership of Board/Councils.
- 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 project, activity or event.
Example projects
Funding can be used for projects that meet any of the aims and objectives of NSW Aboriginal Languages Week Grant Program. The following are examples of the types of activities that may be funded. Projects do not need to be limited to these examples:
- Community gatherings, festivals and fundays that celebrate and promote Aboriginal Languages within NSW
- Public exhibitions
- Language workshops
- Language classes
- Language themed sporting and arts activities or competitions
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Supporting documents required for inclusion in the application:
- Completed application form
- Documentation that proves the organisation has 51% or more Aboriginal people on the governing body, such as one of the follow:
- Organisation rulebook or constitution that includes governance structure
- Certification of membership with the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce
- Supply Nation registration
- Documentation showing membership of a peak Aboriginal organisation such as NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC), NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (NSW AECG), Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC), National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO
- One of the following:
- ABN associated with current Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC) registration
- Organisation rulebook or constitution that states the organisation is not profit making
- Declaration that the organisation will operate on a not-for-profit basis, consistent with ACNC definitions.
- Public liability insurance certificate for a minimum of $10,000,000 per claim.
- Unincorporated Aboriginal Community groups and Aboriginal individuals/sole traders using an auspice must also:
- Provide proof of Aboriginality for Aboriginal individuals/sole traders/key members of unincorporated Aboriginal Community groups
- Submit a written declaration that their project is not profit-making.
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 applicants are assessed against the eligibility criteria.
Start the application
The ALT will administer the NSW Aboriginal Languages Week Grant Program using the electronic Management System, SmartyGrants, which enables the ALT to obtain sufficient information to verify applicant details, assess eligibility, and report on program outputs and outcomes.
Applicants must complete an online application form through the SmartyGrants Portal (https://manage.smartygrants.com.au). You will need to create a secure account with log in name and password.
Supporting documents will be required for inclusion in the application. Refer to Section 2.1 of this Guide for information on the specific Eligibility Criteria.
After an application is submitted, you will receive a notification of receipt from SmartyGrants.
Please note
- Applications cannot be changed once submitted.
- The ALT may consider extending the closing date for all applicants. Any extensions on the closing date will be made public through the ALT website www.alt.nsw.gov.au on the ALT social media platforms and the SmartyGrants portal.
- The ALT will not extend the close date for individual applications or accept late applications.
The ALT Community Investment Team will ensure forms are adequately completed and may request further information prior to the closing date.
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: ALT Executive Director
Stage 1: Application through SmartyGrants
An individual will complete the online application form via SmartyGrants.
Stage 2: Assessment of grant applications
The ALT Community Investment team will screen all the applications against the Program’s eligibility criteria. The applicant may be contacted for verification evidence or for further information at this stage, including positive affirmation that they do not meet any of the excluding criteria. If your application is found to be ineligible, you will be notified in writing that your application has been unsuccessful.
The Departmental Delegate, Executive Director, ALT is the final decision maker.
Independent Probity Advice will not be required as the Grant Program has been assessed as low value, low complexity and low risk.
Eligible applications will progress to establishment of a Funding Agreement.
Stage 3: Successful grant applications.
Applicants will be advised of the outcome in writing through SmartyGrants once the approval process is complete.
Successful applicants will be required to:
- Enter into a funding agreement with the ALT within two (2) weeks of an offer being made.
- Start and complete funded activities and events by the dates specified in the funding agreement.
- Notify the ALT of any proposed changes to the funded activity, including timelines.
- Acknowledge the support of the ALT in accordance with the Funding Acknowledgement Guidelines which can be found at alt.nsw.gov.au
- Report on the outcomes from the event/activity within 30 days of completion. Evidence to support this can be uploaded in SmartyGrants and must include a statement about the event/activity as well as photos, media coverage, links to video clips, etc, where relevant.
Stage 4: Evaluation.
On completion of the Aboriginal Languages Week Program, the ALT will engage with successful organisations to gain feedback on the Program.
The main focus areas for the evaluation will be
Outcome
Was the project successfully delivered?
Did the grantee meet all measurable outcomes?
Grantee Evaluation
- Engagement with Community and project stakeholders seeking feedback on project and project outcomes (sample of Community stakeholders may be requested to gather feedback on the Project)
- Engagement with project manager
- Assessment of final deliverables against outcome metrics.
- Improvement identified for future projects, if applicable.
Outcome
Did the project meet all ALT financial and performance monitoring and reporting obligations?
Grantee Evaluation
- ALT evaluation of performance and financial reporting (during and post project)
- Improvements identified for next grant program
Outcome
How well did the grant program work?
Grantee Evaluation
- Grantee feedback on process
- community and Stakeholder feedback on process
- Improvement identified for next grant program.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is 28/08/2026
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 14/09/2026