Aboriginal Affairs NSW supports funding such as grants and reparations to help improve outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities across NSW.
We encourage Aboriginal people and communities to apply for these and other funding you can access via Grants and funding for Aboriginal people
Remember that:
- The steps below are a general guide to help you find and apply for funding
- Always check each funding listing in the Grants and Funding Finder. Closing dates, application forms and application processes vary with each grant.
Steps to get started
Stay up to date with funding opportunities
Ways to stay up to date include:
- Regularly check the Grants and funding finder for open grants
- Check the Aboriginal Grants and Funding page for opportunities, links and resources.
- Follow Aboriginal Affairs NSW on social media.
Think about what funding you need
What do you or your community need the funding for? Is it to help with a community project such as a new building? Natural disaster recovery? Are you an artist or performer wanting help to show your work? Or maybe you need help to pay for a community event.
There's a range of government funding aimed at improving outcomes and opportunities for Aboriginal people in NSW. Here's a summary of how grants and funds work.
| Funding type | How they generally work |
|---|---|
| Grants |
|
| Funds related to priority needs such as disaster recovery |
|
| Fellowships or internships |
|
Browse and identify the right funding
Take your time, and think about what funding suits your situation or community.
See the Aboriginal Affairs page about Grants and funding for Aboriginal people in NSW.
You'll see links to the NSW Government grants and funding finder, as well as Other fundingthat may suit your needs.
Identify grants that suit
Take a note of links and listings that suit your situation or community.
Check to see if the grant is open, closed or ongoing. Even if closed, it may open again. Keep your eye on the Grants and fundingpages for the latest.
Check your eligibility and other essentials.
When you've found a grant that interests you, open the listing to see:
- what is being offered
- who can apply
- how much you can apply for
- when it closes
- how it’s assessed.
For examples, see Grants and funding
Prepare your application ahead of time
Always start your application early and give yourself enough time to prepare and submit it before the deadline. Review the following so you know what's ahead.
To help write your application:
Open the individual grant or funding page you’re applying for
- Take notes as you read through the listing and its materials
- Use the Guides, Help Guide and Fact Sheets attached to that grant or funding (click on links to download). Sometimes there's video resources to watch.
- Check if you need to follow Aboriginal Arts and Culture protocols or other guidelines. See if you need a Working with Children Check or other requirements.
- Gather any attachments, documentation and media files you need to submit.
- If it's a NSW Government grant, you will need to set up an account with Smartygrants. This is the secure online system. where you'll submit your application.
- To access this portal, click "Apply now" in the funding page you have open.
- Once you've set up your Smartygrants account, you can save your application as a draft and come back to it later.
Review and submit your application
Plan ahead
You need to submit your application before the deadline for each program. Make sure you plan ahead.
Tips for reviewing
- Go back through the guidelines in the grant or funding page you’re applying for. Check you've covered it all.
- Have ready any attachments, documentation and media files you need to submit, making sure they're in the required format.
- Contact Aboriginal Affairs NSW if you have any questions. You also might like to get advice from your peers or mentors who have experience in applying for grants and funding.
Submit your application
Your application needs to be submitted online. If it's a NSW Government grant, each listing has an ‘Apply Now’ link that will take you from the individual funding page to the SmartyGrants portal. This is a secure online grants system requiring a login.
Wait for the assessment and outcome
Your application will be assessed by a panel or appointed assessor according to criteria for each program.
Sometimes there are many worthy applicants, with only a small number of funding opportunities available. If you miss out the first time, you can always apply in future for other funding.
When will I be notified? What about the outcome?
Check each listing, or contact the relevant organisation providing the grant. Ask when they notify applicants of the outcome.
If you're successful in applying for a NSW Government grant
- You will receive a funding agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of your grant.
If you don't secure funding
- You can usually request feedback on your application
- Keep checking for new grants and funding opportunities (see Step 1 on this page).
Contact us
If you have questions or need clarification about the guidelines or requirements for Aboriginal Affairs NSW grants Contact Aboriginal Affairs NSW
Accessibility and language assistance - Each Grants and funding listing has contacts at the end of the listing. Contact us using those details if you need help, advice, or the documents and guidelines aren't accessible for your needs.