Aboriginal Ranger Program opens new $62.5 million grant round

Round 9 of the Aboriginal Ranger Program is now open, with $62.5 million in funding available to support new and established Aboriginal ranger groups across regional Western Australia.

The WA  Government’s Aboriginal Ranger Program aims to deliver on key priorities by protecting and restoring WA’s unique natural environments, building safer and more inclusive communities, and creating meaningful, on-Country jobs for Aboriginal people across regional and remote WA.

This latest round brings the State Government’s total investment in the Aboriginal Ranger Program to $172.5 million since 2017, supporting more than 1,400 paid ranger jobs caring for land and sea Country.

Key points

• Protecting and restoring WA’s unique natural environment is a key priority of the Aboriginal Ranger Program
• Building safer and more inclusive communities through on-Country work and cultural connection
• Creating 1,400 meaningful, on-Country jobs since 2017

“We are empowering Aboriginal people to be leaders in on-Country land and sea management,” Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn said.

“Aboriginal rangers are using fire to protect biodiversity and cultural values, working with scientists to protect threatened species, and are managing feral animal and invasive weed impacts.”

Round 9 funding is available through three streams:

• Sustain Fund – to support and sustain existing and established Aboriginal ranger groups;
• Activate Fund – for new ranger groups that have already carried out detailed planning, including through previous investment; and
• Prepare Fund – supporting new groups to undergo ranger-specific planning activities and prepare for new ranger programs.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch said Ranger programs continued to strengthen health, justice, and education outcomes for Aboriginal people, delivering positive change across communities.

“Each $1 invested in a ranger project delivers around $3 in combined cultural, social, economic, and environmental benefits and I am proud to support the program,” he said.

The funding streams were developed following a review of previous rounds and extensive engagement with Traditional Owners and stakeholders to deliver greater impacts and meet aspirations for Country.

Eligible Aboriginal organisations have until March 9 to apply. For more information, visit dbca.wa.gov.au/ARP