2025 NAIDOC Grants Program

• Incorporated not-for-profit organisations registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (NSW) 
• Aboriginal Corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders) Act 2006 (Cth) 
• Not-for-profit companies incorporated in Australia under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
• Local Aboriginal Land Councils established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW) 
• NSW local councils operating under the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)
• Incorporated cooperatives (incorporated under state/territory legislation, and commonly have ‘Cooperative’ in their legal name)
• Incorporated trustees on behalf of a trust, including Catholic School trusts
• Unincorporated Aboriginal groups that have entered into an agreement with an eligible organisation to auspice the funding. 

Aboriginal communities

Funding is to be used for activities and events that are held in NSW and meet the objectives of the 2025 NAIDOC Grants Program.

The project should be started by 1 July 2025 and the project must be completed by 30 November 2025.

A greater knowledge, awareness, understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal history and/or culture within the broader local or regional community.

Funding can be used

• to purchase materials and consumables such as art supplies, catering supplies (excluding alcohol) – for the purpose of the project or event
• to pay for workshop facilitators, artists and Elders
• for rental or hire fees for the purposes of the activity.

You are not eligible to apply if you are

• An Individual
• Federal or State Government agencies and bodies, this includes public schools and hospitals
• For-profit organisations including Aboriginal businesses
• Unincorporated Aboriginal organisations or groups who do not have an eligible auspice partnership
• An applicant or auspice who has been banned due to non-compliance with AANSW Grant requirements
• An organisation with redress sanctions in place, as described in the National Redress Scheme

Funding can't be used for

• retrospective funding for activities and events that have already been held
• activities that are the responsibility of government agencies
• activities that are exclusively for the benefit of the applicant organisation and its staff, such as cultural capability workshops or training
• activities and events held outside NSW
• capital purchases – any type of building, construction or capital works, including renovations to a building, housing-related costs or the purchase of land
• purchasing equipment such as office equipment, tents and IT equipment
• gifts, including gift cards and merchandise to distribute as gifts
• Activities or events that allow alcohol, tobacco or gambling
• private events such as those open only to members of a specific organisation
• sitting fees, travel allowances or costs associated with the membership of boards/councils
• operating and administrative costs such as rent or utilities
• costs that are not directly associated with the activity or event

Funding can't be used for

• retrospective funding for activities and events that have already been held
• activities that are the responsibility of government agencies
• activities that are exclusively for the benefit of the applicant organisation and its staff such as cultural capability workshops or training
• activities and events held outside NSW
• capital purchases – any type of building, construction or capital works, including renovations to a building, housing-related costs or the purchase of land
• purchasing equipment such as office equipment, tents and IT equipment
• gifts, including gift cards and merchandise to distribute as gifts
• Activities or events that allow alcohol, tobacco or gambling
• private events such as those open only to members of a specific organisation
• sitting fees, travel allowances or costs associated with the membership of boards/councils
• operating and administrative costs such as rent or utilities
• costs that are not directly associated with the activity or event

The following are examples of the types of NAIDOC Week activities and events that have previously received funding:

• community festivals and fun days
• public exhibitions
• community gatherings
• cultural workshops
• NAIDOC-themed sporting activities or competitions
• school community–based activities
• women’s, men’s and Elders-only activities

NSW Public Schools

• While NSW Public schools are not eligible to apply to the Program, projects may be held on NSW Public School grounds and/or for the benefit of a school community where the applicant is an eligible organisation (e.g. an incorporated not-for-profit Parents & Citizens organisation, incorporated local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group etc).

Unincorporated groups

• If an unincorporated Aboriginal group wishes to apply for a 2025 NAIDOC Grant, it will need to partner with an eligible organisation to receive and administer the funding. The eligible organisation must apply on behalf of the unincorporated group.

Other eligibility requirements

• Be an eligible entity located in NSW, and able to enter into a funding agreement with Aboriginal Affairs NSW Premier’s Department,
• Have an Australian bank account and an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Projects must be delivered within NSW
• Applicants must have public liability insurance of at least $10 million per claim