900 new jobs for expanded Indigenous Ranger program
More than 900 new Indigenous Ranger jobs will be created across the country, as the Federal Government delivers on its commitment to double the number of Indigenous Rangers by the end of the decade.
201 applications were received for Round Two of the Indigenous Rangers Program (IRP) Expansion, highlighting the strong interest from communities and organisations.
82 new ranger projects will receive funding and 58 new organisations will join the Commonwealth IRP, as the government invests over $190 million across three years (2025 – 2028).
“Indigenous rangers do important work across Australia, protecting endangered species, restoring vital habitats and caring for Country for future generations,” Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said.
Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy gets a tour of the native garden established by junior ranger students at the Murri School in Brisbane.
“We are getting on with the job of delivering on our commitment to double the number of Indigenous rangers by the end of the decade.
“This second round expansion will also create new opportunities for First Nations women whose cultural responsibilities and deep knowledge are vital to caring for Country and protecting sacred women’s sites.”
Closing the Gap targets
All new projects will have dedicated positions for women rangers, which will see approximately half of the new ranger positions held by First Nations women, bringing us closer to gender parity by the end of the decade.
This round builds on the success of Round One, which created more than 1,000 new ranger jobs, supported over 110 new ranger projects and welcomed 80 new organisations into the IRP for the first time in over a decade.
Mutjung Rangers from north-east Arnhem Land.
The Indigenous Rangers Program contributes directly to a number of Closing the Gap targets including strong economic participation and development of First Nations people and their communities.
The Government is investing a total of $1.3 billion to 2028 in the Indigenous Rangers Program, supporting the existing workforce and growing it from 1,900 to 3,800 Rangers by 2030.
More information can be found at https://www.niaa.gov.au/our-work/environment-and-land/indigenous-rangers-program-irp
