This grant provides assistance to declared Aboriginal places and items on the State Heritage Register that need repairs due to, or to address risks caused by, unexpected events.
Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $10,000
- Application opened: 1 July 2023
- Application closes: 30 June 2025
Program objective
The NSW Government is dedicated to safeguarding the most significant heritage places across NSW. To achieve this, the NSW Heritage Grants program is designed to help ensure our heritage is acknowledged, managed, conserved and celebrated.
This program is funded and administered by Heritage NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Owners, managers, long-term lessees or custodians of a declared Aboriginal place or item listed on the State Heritage Register in NSW.
Who can’t apply
- a state or federal government agency
- a business or entity that is located or incorporated outside of NSW.
Heritage NSW will also consider any whole of government policy or guidelines that restrict an applicant’s access to grants programs.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Works or activity within the boundary of an Aboriginal place, or curtilage of a State Heritage Register item which:
- addresses damage or an issue caused by an unexpected event that is outside your control
- has a heritage benefit such as protecting or repairing the parts of an item or place with heritage significance
- is not covered by the applicant’s/owner’s insurance.
Only declared Aboriginal places and items on the State Heritage Register are eligible for this funding program.
Only unexpected events are eligible. Standard wear and tear and maintenance are not eligible.
In exceptional circumstances, Heritage NSW reserves the right to recommend funding for projects that may not fully meet the eligibility criteria.
What can’t you apply for
- works to repair damage or issues that resulted from standard wear and tear
- routine replacement, maintenance and repair of an item
- projects where the State or Federal Government Agency has legal responsibility for maintenance or repair of the site
- more than one application relating to the same item and unexpected event
- project works and associated costs, not including pre-planning and safety works, that occurs before the application is submitted
- projects that are exclusively:
- to make safe immediately following a disaster that is led by RFS or other emergency services and agencies
- for revegetation, erosion or land management
- cultural burning
- to remediate health and safety risks.
- asbestos removal
- ongoing employee positions or in-house project management by salaried officers as either voluntary or cash contributions
- construction of new elements such as an amenities block, headstones and monuments
- purchase of equipment or heritage items for example lawn mowers and security cameras or a heritage collection
- works that rely on ongoing funding
- works that are considered unsuitable for the site or the situation
- work on a site or item is not a declared Aboriginal place or listed on the State Heritage Register (sites or items which are only on local environmental plans for local heritage significance are ineligible).
Example projects
- repairing damage caused by vandalism
- repairing damage caused by an accident (such as storm damage, tree removal, traffic accident)
- providing short term protection (such as propping and providing tarpaulins to protect a State Heritage Register listed building that may collapse, or scar tree at an Aboriginal place that has fallen during an extreme storm)
- temporary relocation of a movable item (such as moving a museum archival collection to a safe area because of flooding).
We recommend you contact your local council’s heritage advisor or engage a heritage specialist to:
- help plan your project so that it meets any heritage and legislative requirements
- oversee the heritage aspects of the project and complete compliance certificates at key stages of the project.
To get a better understanding of what can or can’t be funded, view the lists of projects awarded funding at previous rounds on the Environment NSW website.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
- Your application will need to include written support from the owners of the site or all owners/owners’ corporation.
- If the site is a declared Aboriginal Place, your application must also include written support of its Aboriginal custodians.
- If the site is owned by the state or federal government, and you are a long-term leasee, your application must also include written evidence that the responsibility of the site has been legally passed on.
- Your application will need to include the declared Aboriginal Place name and/or the State Heritage Register listing name and number.
Important considerations
Your application will need to consider the following, although they may not be required at the time of the application:
- Any physical works must be done by qualified and experienced people and to appropriate heritage standards. Your project might have to be overseen by a Heritage Specialist.
- Approvals or permits under Heritage Act 1977 or National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 must be given before you start any work if your application is successful. Find out more by visiting the Environment NSW website.
- You must comply with any local council planning, heritage and building requirements.
- You must use best practice heritage guidelines for quality heritage outcomes.
- Works are not covered by insurance.
- Read the Emergency Works Grants 2023-25 Funding Guidelines and preview the application form on SmartyGrants.
- Check if your site is on the State Heritage Inventory as a declared Aboriginal Place or on the State Heritage Register.
- Collate your supporting documents such as quotes, photos, plans, letter from insurer, evidence of support, and permissions from owner/s.
- Contact Heritage NSW if you have any questions about your project eligibility, using SmartyGrants or getting heritage approvals.
The State Heritage Register is a statutory list of items (places and objects) which represent heritage of particular importance to the people of NSW.
Aboriginal places are cultural heritage sites that have been legally declared under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 due to their significance for Aboriginal people and importance to the story of NSW.
All types of heritage listings are included on the State Heritage Inventory.
To check if it’s an Aboriginal place or an item on the State Heritage Register search the State Heritage Inventory.
- the works or activities are to a declared Aboriginal place or a State Heritage Register listed item
- the owners and custodians support the project
- the works are needed because of an unexpected event (something outside of your control) rather than being due to normal wear and tear
- the works are not covered by insurance
- the works have a heritage benefit.
Start the application
Applications for this grant are available via the Heritage NSW SmartyGrants portal.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: the Director Customer Service, Heritage NSW
You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application.
Heritage NSW will check:
- your application against all eligibility criteria
- consider if you need to obtain separate heritage approvals or permits.
What to expect if your application is successful
If your application is successful:
- Your name, details of your project and amount of funding provided will be published on the Department of Planning and Environment website.
- You will have to sign a funding agreement with terms and conditions.
- Any physical works must be done by qualified and experienced people and to appropriate heritage standards. Your project might have to be overseen by a Heritage Specialist.
- Approvals or permits under Heritage Act 1977 or National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 must be given before you start any work. Find out more by visiting the Environment NSW website.
- You must comply with any local council planning, heritage and building requirements.
- You must use best practice heritage guidelines for quality heritage outcomes.
- You must acknowledge NSW government funding.
Heritage NSW will seek your written permission to use materials from your project such as photos, videos and documents, in media and publicity.
Things to note
- Once the funding agreement is signed, you will receive payments in stages against the agreed milestones and 50% of the funding will be paid up-front.
- The remainder of the grant will be held until after the project is finished. Heritage NSW will check the quality of the project, and that all requirements have been met, before making the final payment.
- The payment amount will be based on actual project costs.
- Full conditions for payment will be outlined in the funding agreement and payment schedule.
- If you are registered for GST, it will be added to the funding amount except for local government grant recipients.
- Grants under this program may result in financial, taxation, legal or other impacts. We strongly recommended that you seek independent financial advice on receiving a grant.
- You might also want to get advice from the Australian Tax Office if you have questions about your individual situation.
Heritage NSW will let you know the outcome of you application via email within a month of you applying. There are no appeals and the decision on applications is final.
Support and contact
Phone: 02 9873 8550