Celebrating Indigenous Rangers on a special day

To celebrate World Ranger Day, The Federal Government says it is delivering on its commitment to double the number of Indigenous Rangers from 1,900 to 3,800 by the end of the decade.

193 new Ranger groups have been created since 2024, as part of an expanded Indigenous Rangers Program.

320 Indigenous Ranger groups now operate across every state and territory as part of the IRP.

Women now make up 43 per cent of the Indigenous Ranger workforce, reflecting the growing leadership of women in caring for Country.

Last year, more than 90 per cent of Indigenous Ranger groups undertook cultural heritage management activities and 78 per cent worked to protect threatened species on Country, highlighting their essential work across some of Australia’s most significant landscapes and ecosystems.

Last year, 663 Indigenous Rangers gained nationally recognised qualifications in conservation, cultural heritage management and leadership, strengthening skills and employment opportunities.

“This World Ranger Day, we celebrate Indigenous Rangers and recognise the vital role they play in caring for Country,” Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said.

“By expanding the Indigenous Rangers Program, we are creating jobs and career pathways in some of our most remote areas and supporting First Nations people to lead land and sea management.

Protecting Australia’s precious environment

“Caring for Country is about protecting the environment, while at the same time strengthening communities, keeping culture strong and passing knowledge to future generations.”

Minister for Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt said the Government recognised the work of Indigenous Rangers to protect Australia’s precious environment and cultural heritage.

“Indigenous Rangers are working across Australia to repair biodiversity and manage invasive species like gamba grass and feral cats, and on Sea Country to monitor the health of seagrass meadows and habitat for dugongs and turtles,” he said.

“We celebrate the thousands of Indigenous Rangers who are sharing knowledge between generations from the oldest continuing living culture.”

Special Envoy for Remote Communities, Marion Scrymgour, said Rangers in remote communities play a huge role in protecting culture and country by combining traditional knowledge with modern conservation practices.

“I congratulate all our Indigenous Rangers for their commitment and hard work in protecting our natural environment,” she said.

“Ranger groups provide valuable employment opportunities in some of our most remote communities, and I am pleased we are doubling the amount of ranger jobs by the end of the decade.”