Archived Grant Opportunity View - GO7512

The waters of the Murray-Darling Basin are a vital to the connection to culture and country for over 50 First Nations communities. The impacts of colonisation have deeply affected access to water for these communities, First Nations people currently own less than 0.2% of surface water entitlements.

The program provides funding directly to Basin First Nations to conduct cultural flows planning, develop sustainable business models and governance structures required to securely hold water.

The program will:

• support Basin First Nations to develop detailed cultural flows plans, quantifying their water needs and aspirations
• facilitate the development of water-reliant cultural economies in the Basin
• empower self-determination by Basin First Nations, to make decisions regarding water ownership and management.

You can apply if you:

• have an Australian business number (ABN), unless you are not entitled to one
• and are one of the following:
  • an entity, incorporated in Australia (this includes Indigenous land management organisations registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations)
  • a registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land council
  • an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
  • an incorporated not for profit association or cooperative
  • an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
  • a partnership.

You must also be or be partnering with a consortium with a First Nations group or organisation recognised as a Basin Traditional Owner(s) or able to demonstrate a traditional connection to the relevant area for which you are applying.

We can only accept applications where the Traditional Owner status of the applicant or members of the consortium can be verified using one of the methods below:

• Native title determination (search National Native Title Register)
• Registered Aboriginal Party (Victoria's Registered Aboriginal Parties | aboriginalheritagecouncil.vic.gov.au)
• Land rights agreements
• ORIC (Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations)
• Office of the Registrar Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983
• Relevant Local Aboriginal Land Councils
• New South Wales Aboriginal Land Councils
• Relevant Elders councils
• Declaration of Connection to Country.

If you are a First Nations group without an ABN, you may submit a joint application with an organisation that is able and agrees to obtain and manage funds on your behalf. The organisation must be a legal entity that is eligible to apply and must be the lead organisation on your joint application. Evidence of the arrangement is required.

See grant opportunity guidelines for more information.

$20,000,000.00

From $0.00 to $300,000.00

An update on the status of this program will be provided following the outcome of the 2025 Federal election.

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