The primary objective of this funding is to assist Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) to generate economic benefits through the effective and sustainable management of their land.

The Government recognises the essential role PBCs play in supporting native title holders to take advantage of opportunities arising from their native title rights. It is providing $54.2 million over three years (from 2022 23 to 2024-25) to support PBCs to undertake capacity building. This funding can be used for activities that aim to: 

• Increase the capacity of PBCs to take advantage of economic opportunities. 
• Build long-term organisational capacity within PBCs. 
• Support effective native title agreement-making. 
• The types of activities that can be funded include:  
• Developing strategic, economic development and other planning frameworks.  
• Developing corporate structures, controls, policies and procedures. 
• Delivering training, development and mentoring opportunities for directors, staff and members. 
• Establishing information and communications technology and equipment, including website development. 
• Establishing an office and obtaining equipment to support business functions and opportunities. 
• Engaging staff or professional services to deliver one-off capacity-building activities. 
• Bringing PBCs together on a regional basis to increase local and regional capacity.

How much funding is available?

It is providing $54.2 million over three years (from 2022 23 to 2024-25) to support PBCs to undertake capacity building

It is anticipated that most grants will be between $50,000-$750,000, depending on the scope of the grant activity and its complexity. There is no maximum grant amount, but grants cannot exceed the amount of available funds. The Agency may award grants as one-off payments or on a single-year or multi-year basis at its discretion.

Who can apply for funding?

To be eligible to apply for funding under the PBC Capacity Building grant opportunity you must: 

• be a Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC), registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) (the CATSI Act); 
• be a Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC), that is registered under the CATSI Act; 
• be a joint (consortia) application (see section ‘7.3. Joint Applications’); 
• be a recognised Native Title Representative Body/Service Provider (NTRB/SP); 
• be a relevant peak body working with PBCs and in the native title sector; 
• be a Traditional Owner Corporation (TOC), incorporated for the purposes of representing Traditional Owners recognised under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (Victoria); 
• be a Traditional Owner Group Entity (TOGE) established for the purposes of representing traditional owners under an alternative native title settlement agreement; or 
• be a third party such as a law firm or interest group who has written authorisation (board resolution or letter from the CEO) of one or more PBCs/RNTBCs intended to benefit from the grant.

AND 

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN) (exemptions may apply in special cases);
• where relevant, be registered for the purposes of GST; 
• if an individual, be a permanent resident of Australia; and 
• have an account with an Australian financial institution.

AND be one of the following entity types: 

• an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the CATSI Act; 
• a company incorporated in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Corporations Act); 
• an incorporated association (incorporated under state/territory legislation, commonly have 'Association' or 'Incorporated' or 'Inc' in their legal name); 
• an incorporated cooperative (also incorporated under state/territory legislation, commonly have ’Cooperative' in their legal name); 
• an organisation established through a specific piece of Commonwealth or state/territory legislation including public benevolent institutions, churches and universities; 
• an Australian state or territory government body; 
• an Australian local government body; 
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust; 
• a partnership; or 
• an individual with an ABN.

The Agency will not accept your application unless you: 

• have contacted and consulted with the NIAA Regional Office in your area; 
• have rectified any issues of previous non-compliance with existing Commonwealth agreements to the satisfaction of the Commonwealth, or be in the process of rectifying any issues of noncompliance with existing Commonwealth agreements to the satisfaction of the Commonwealth; and 
• are financially viable to the Agency’s satisfaction. The application form has questions about financial viability. The Agency may undertake its own enquiries in relation to the applicant’s financial viability.

• Phone: 1800 079 098
• Email: NativeTitle@niaa.gov.au