Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $5,000 to $150,000
- Application opened: 3 November 2025
- Application closes: 15 February 2026, 4:00 pm
Program objective
The objectives of the Program are to:
- Support initiatives that promote regional economic development and contribute to job creation and retention within Aboriginal communities
- Create opportunity for emerging and established Aboriginal businesses and organisations that will strengthen their operations and help them to grow and invest.
- Support Aboriginal businesses and organisations to achieve positive economic, social, cultural and emotional outcomes.
- Provide opportunity in Aboriginal organisations and Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs) to activate Aboriginal owned land assets and support the delivery of funded projects.
- Increase the strength and diversity of the Snowy Precinct and its economy.
- Create focused partnerships with Aboriginal young people, schools and businesses which can support meaningful and more stable employment outcomes.
- Establish pathways for employment and skills development that can allow Aboriginal people to gain access to better social and economic outcomes.
The required outcomes of the Program are to establish and build the capability and capacity of Aboriginal tourism or related industry businesses within the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct.
Please refer to this link for a copy of the guidelines.
This program is administered by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must meet all the following requirements:
- An individual or organisation that is based and/or delivering/planning on delivering services in the Snowy Precinct or supporting region.
- Must have an ABN and provide evidence that they are one of the following:
- A Local Aboriginal Land Council or NSW Aboriginal Land Council
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
- A business, charity, or not-for-profit organisation, incorporated under Commonwealth, state or territory legislation, that has at least 50% Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ownership/membership and/or directorship, and is operated for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are financially viable and have at least $20 million public liability insurance or be willing to secure the insurance before entering into a Funding Deed if the application is successful.
Location that are eligible include Snowy Monaro Regional
Types of projects funded under this grant
The project/activities must meet all the following requirements to be eligible:
- Timeframe: The project must be able to meet the project delivery timeframe listed in the Guidelines.
- Strategy: The project must align to the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct Master Plan.
- Improved outcomes for Aboriginal people: The project must seek to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people and align with the skills, aspirations and experiences of local Aboriginal communities.
- Inclusion and accessibility: The project may aim to improve community participation, liveable communities and accessibility and inclusion outcomes. These outcomes assist people with disability and accessibility requirements to participate independently with equity and dignity. The project may provide fit-for-purpose, accessible and safe facilities, and increased participation opportunities by increasing accessibility and inclusion/universal design.
- Applicants must be able to enter into a funding deed with NSW Government and have an Australian bank account.
Projects must deliver primary benefits within the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct area and provide direct outcomes in line with the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct Master Plan.
What costs you can apply for
The project costs must support the objectives of the Program.
The following types of project costs are eligible for funding:
- Capital costs associated with establishment or startup costs for project.
- Buying minor equipment, materials, and consumables such as fuel, clothing, art supplies, and catering for the purpose of the project or event.
- Rental hire fees for the purpose of the project or event.
- Hiring contractors such as facilitators, artists, trainers, teachers, or local Elders specifically for an event or activity
- Travel costs for staff and/or contractors (for travel within NSW only) for directly related activities or event.
- Costs of hosting or attending local, regional or state-wide sporting competitions, camps and/or cultural events for the project.
- Youth membership, course registration or participation fees for the purpose of the project or event
- For start up businesses only, the cost of obtaining insurances required to operate the project such as public liability insurance, WorkCover.
- marketing campaigns directly related to promoting the project
Who can’t apply
- Organisations that do not have an ABN
- Businesses that are insolvent.
- Organisations that do not fit the criteria of eligible applicants, above.
Ineligible entities (except for insolvent companies) can be part of a joint application, but the lead applicant must be an eligible entity.
What costs you can't apply for
The following project costs are ineligible for funding:
- equipment financing arrangements
- costs relating to depreciation of plant and equipment beyond the life of the project
- costs for alcohol
- non-project related staff training and development costs
- costs that would be considered business-as-usual activities
- core government activities or business operations and administrative running costs
- marketing, advertising, or product promotion including signage, with the exception of promotional activities specifically related to the project and are essential to its success
- activities, equipment or supplies that are already being supported through other sources
- financing costs, including interest and debt financing
- purchase of land, buildings and vehicles such as cars, trucks, vans, motorhomes and boats, with the exception of equipment specifically related to a broader project and essential to its success
- capital expenditure for the purchase of everyday business activities such as office furniture and equipment, computers, printers and photocopiers, with the exception of equipment specifically related to a broader project and essential to its success
- costs involved in the purchase or hire of software (including user licenses) and ICT equipment, with the exception of equipment and software specifically related to a broader project and essential to its success, including software and equipment that will enable the project to be accessible and inclusive.
- buying or upgrading equipment that is not fixed to a particular site, with the exception of equipment specifically related to a broader project and essential to its success
- costs such as rent and utilities unless specifically related to the project
- staff training and development costs not specifically related to the project.
- Other Insurance costs (applicants must hold and maintain adequate insurance coverage for any liability arising as a result of their participation in funded activities)
- operational expenditure, including but not limited to regular repairs and maintenance
- projects that require ongoing grant funding from the NSW or Australian government
- projects that will proceed without any NSW Government financial assistance
- retrospective funding to cover any project component that is already complete before funding is announced
- funding for any ongoing staff or operational costs.
Example projects
The scope and types of initiatives which the grant opportunity is aimed at include but are not limited to:
- Guided tours and / or activities that promote cultural awareness, appreciation, interpretation and information from Aboriginal guides
- Cultural events or festivals
- Cultural camps
- Cultural awareness training and education
- Yarn circles with Elders
- Food and beverage related activities that support Aboriginal employment or economic activity
- Equipment hire
- Mountain / bush treks or guided tours.
- School holiday programs
- Boat or Canoe tours on the lake
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Each application must include the documents listed in the Application Form which include the following:
- completed business plan
- evidence of $20 million public liability insurance, or willingness to obtain.
- Evidence of landownership or landowner’s consent
- Development application approval (if required)
- proof of Aboriginal organisation or ownership
Documents must be in PDF format.
Business Plan Template is available at:
https://business.gov.au/planning/business-plans/develop-your-business-plan
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
Applications that have met the eligibility criteria will be assessed against the assessment criteria.
The table below lists the assessment criteria, the supporting evidence required and the weighting of the criteria.
Applicants must address all the assessment criteria.
Grant will achieve value for money (35%)
- How funding will be spent and how items contribute to the project. Budget is reasonable and realistic. Benefits are reasonable compared to costs.
Alignment with DPIRD Aboriginal Economic Development (AED) objectives (30%)
- how the project is aligned with the objectives AED;
- how the project will contribute directly to, or enable the delivery of, one or more of the AED objectives;
- how the project will deliver long-term benefits to the Aboriginal community.
Viability and Deliverability (35%)
- a project budget, supported by quotes or detailed estimates.
- a project plan, including consideration for landowner consent and development approval timeframes.
- details of the key project personnel and their experience/capability to deliver the project.
- risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
- detail on how the project will be operated and maintained post project completion (if applicable).
- detail of how accessibility and inclusion measures were considered through the design and/or delivery of the project.
- confirmation that the project can be substantially commenced within 12 months from the commencement date of a funding deed.
Start the application
Applicants can submit multiple applications. Each application must cover only one project. Each application must be in the eligible location.
Applicants must submit their applications by the Closing date and time listed under Key Information.
The Department retains discretion to extend the Closing date and time, and to accept late applications in extenuating circumstances.
Applicants cannot reopen or amend applications after the Closing date and time.
Applicants must not include false or misleading information in their applications. If an application contains false or misleading information, the Department may deal with the application as the Department determines in the circumstances and may, for example, determine that the application is ineligible.
After submitting an application, applicants will receive a notification of receipt. The Department may contact applicants to verify information or seek further information.
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: Minister for Regional NSW
Determining which applications are successful involves these stages:
1. Eligibility cull
The Department will assess the applications against the eligibility criteria.
Applications that have met the eligibility criteria will move to the next stage. Where there is uncertainty or unintended outcomes arising from the eligibility requirements, the Department will take a discretionary approach that, in its opinion, best achieves the objectives of the grant program.
2. Assessment
The assessment team will assess eligible applications against the assessment criteria.
Assessment team:
Applications will be moderated and reviewed by an assessment panel convened by the Department (Assessment Panel) to ensure consistency in assessment. Each application will be assessed on its merits before a recommendation is made in writing to the decision maker.
The Assessment Panel will consist of senior representatives from the Department and an independent panel member.
The assessment team may seek advice from other NSW Government agencies and other sources such as probity advisors.
The assessment team may contact applicants seeking clarification of information in the applications or further supporting material.
Assessment process:
The assessment team will assess each application on its merits and competitively against the other applications.
If a large number of applications meet the selection criteria, On Country applications will be prioritised.
The assessment team may consider principles including, for example:
- the total amount of funding available
- geographical distribution of projects across the Precinct
- funding a variety of projects in size, scale and type
- alignment of the project with other NSW Government policies and strategies
- issues which could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government.
Where possible, the panel will try to ensure projects are being delivered across the Snowy Precinct and there is a variety of project types being delivered by both individuals, small businesses and community organisations.
The assessment team will make written recommendations to the decision maker.
The assessment team may recommend a lesser amount of funding or defer a recommendation pending further information.
3. Decision-making
The decision maker will review the availability of grant funds, the recommendations of the assessment team and, where relevant, the outcomes of the eligibility cull.
The decision maker may take other factors into account including advice from a probity advisor and issues that could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government.
In limited circumstances, the decision maker may waive selection criteria, for example, where not doing so would: lead to perverse or unfair outcomes; be contrary to the policy intent; or damage the reputation and integrity of the Program.
The decision maker’s decision is final in all matters, including:
- the approval to award a grant
- the amount awarded
- the terms and conditions of the grant.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is Approximately 12 weeks from closing date
Support and contact
activationprecincts@dpird.nsw.gov.au
Applicants must contact their Aboriginal Economic Development Manager in the first instance to discuss their project and obtain a link to the SmartyGrants application form. The Aboriginal Economic Development Managers can assist applicants prepare their application.