The IRP supports First Nations people to manage Country in accordance with the objectives of Traditional Owners, and to build career pathways in cultural and natural resource management.

Indigenous Rangers use traditional knowledge and cultural practices, and Western science, to manage land, river and sea Country and deliver environmental, cultural, social and economic development outcomes for First Nations communities.

For the IRP Expansion Round 2, up to $165 million (GST exclusive) is available over 3 years (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2028) to create up to 500 full time equivalent ranger positions, equating to over 800 ranger jobs. Should further funding for the IRP Expansion Round 2 be made available, the NIAA may use this additional funding for this grant opportunity.

The objectives of the IRP are:

• First Nations peoples contribute to the maintenance and/or improvement of the natural and cultural environment.
• An increased number of First Nations peoples obtain and retain employment in the Indigenous land and water management (ILWM) sector and build culturally appropriate career pathways - including an increased number of First Nations women.
• Indigenous organisations providing ranger programs generate economic opportunities, including attracting income that allows them to grow.
• Ranger activities contribute to the strengthening of First Nations language and culture.

For the IRP Expansion Round 2 grant opportunity up to $165 million (GST exclusive) will be available over a period of 3 years. The funding for this grant round will be implemented from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2028.

For an organisation to be eligible you must:

• have a legal right and/or right to access and manage the land included in your application (see section 4.2)
• demonstrate that you have cultural authority to deliver the proposed activities from relevant Traditional Owners (via appropriate letters of support)
• use the Engagements, Activities and Budget Template provided (see section 7.1)
• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• where relevant, be registered for the purposes of GST
• have an account with an Australian financial institution
• be one of the following entity types:
  • a Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC) or Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) nominated to hold and manage native title rights and interests under the Native Title Act 1993 (Commonwealth)
  • a recognised Native Title Representative Body/Service Provider (NTRB/SP)
  • a Traditional Owner Corporation (TOC), incorporated for the purposes of representing Traditional Owners recognised under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (Victoria)
  • a Traditional Owner Group Entity (TOGE) established for the purposes of representing traditional owners under an alternative native title settlement agreement
  • an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act)
  • a company incorporated in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001
  • an incorporated association (incorporated under state/territory legislation, commonly have 'Association' or 'Incorporated' or 'Inc' in their legal name)
  • an incorporated cooperative (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
  • an Australian state or territory government body
  • an Australian local government body
  • an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust2 (see section 7.3)
  • a partnership a joint (consortia) application with a lead organisation that satisfies the entity type (see section 7.2).

• Email: IndigenousRangersGrants@niaa.gov.au