$10K–$500K
2026-06-30
Tuesday 17 March 2026
Friday 22 May 2026
NIAA's core Indigenous program funding. PICC already receives $4.8M under IAS 1.3 Safety & Wellbeing — this is for ADDITIONAL streams: culture/language, governance capacity, economic development. Aligns with Elders Room, Station Precinct, and digital service expansion. [auto-assigned via theme-keyword match · 2026-05-22]
Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS)
Description
Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) — the National Indigenous Australians Agency's primary federal funding programme for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Funds remote and regional community development, capability building, economic participation, jobs and social enterprise. Pty Ltd entities eligible. Multiple streams including Jobs Land and Economy, Children and Schooling, Safety and Wellbeing, and Culture and Capability. Goods on Country fits the Jobs Land and Economy stream as a First Nations social enterprise delivering essential household goods to remote Aboriginal communities.
Requirements Summary
The Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) funds programs benefiting First Nations Australians across six key components: Jobs and Economy, Children and Schooling, Safety and Wellbeing, Culture and Capability, Remote Australian Strategies, and Research and Evaluation. The Australian Government allocated $7.2 billion to IAS over four years to 2026-27. Applicants should check GrantConnect for current funding opportunities or contact their local NIAA Regional Office. Communities can also submit Community Initiated Proposals directly to NIAA. Funded providers must work in genuine partnership with First Nations communities in project design and delivery.
Eligibility Criteria
Full legal capacity to enter Commonwealth Project Agreement
Must have an Australian Business Number
Must be registered for GST if required
Must not be bankrupt or subject to insolvency proceedings
Organisations with highest level of Indigenous involvement are preferred
Must demonstrate commitment to Indigenous employment and engagement
Assessment Criteria
Alignment with program stream objectives (varies per GOG)
Capacity to deliver the proposed project
Efficient use of Commonwealth funding
Level of Indigenous involvement and ownership
Demonstrated community need for the proposed activity
History of delivering similar programs successfully
Timeline
Check for open/forecasted opportunities
Review specific Grant Opportunity Guidelines for the round
Get guidance from local NIAA office
Submit via GrantConnect by deadline
Assessed against GOG criteria
Enter agreement if successful
National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) administers the IAS — a $7.2B program over 4 years to 2026-27 covering jobs, children, safety, and culture for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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