Indigenous rangers are critical to Australia’s ability to maintain an early detection system for exotic pests and diseases in remote coastal areas across the north. Increasing over time, current services provided by rangers include participating in animal, plant and aquatic health surveys, insect trapping/surveillance, plant host mapping, collection and destruction of biosecurity risk material and biosecurity awareness activities in remote communities, utilising their unique skills and abilities.
To further support the biosecurity work of Indigenous rangers, capability building grants have been made available to ranger groups who have existing biosecurity fee-for-service arrangements with the department.
Initially, the Ranger Capability Building Grants program ran for 3 years from 2020–21 to 2022–23, building on the existing capability of Indigenous rangers and were delivered by the department’s Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program.
Following the success of those initial rounds, a third round was made available in 2024 and the grant length extended to two years.
Program objective
The grant program will enable ranger organisations with existing biosecurity fee-for-service arrangements to undertake capability building activities, purchase equipment and undertake training to further enhance the capacity of rangers to conduct biosecurity surveillance and response work.
Intended program outcomes
The intended outcomes of the grant program are:
- Increased capacity of Indigenous Rangers to undertake current and future biosecurity fee-for-service activities for the department.
- Increased skills and capability of Indigenous Rangers to enhance their career pathways.
- Improved work health and safety of the work undertaken by Indigenous Rangers in remote areas.
Examples of the types of grant activities that may be supported by the department are:
- Capability building initiatives including ranger exchanges and conferences/leadership development programs.
- Capability building and work health and safety training.
- Purchase of capability building equipment or materials used in the course of fee-for-service work such as field equipment and small assets, IT and safety equipment.
Applications for Round 1 closed on 8 April 2021.
26 applications were received from Indigenous ranger organisations in northern Australia.
An assessment panel including a representative from the National Indigenous Australians Agency met in July 2021 to assess applications. 22 applications were approved for funding from October 2021 totalling $1.1 million (see full recipient list below).
Examples of grant activities funded include:
- undertaking ranger training including coxswain, remote first aid, conservation and ecosystem management, remote 4WD and remote pilot licence (drone) training
- purchase of IT and other equipment including iPads, laptops, cameras and GPS units to allow rangers to capture and transmit to biosecurity data in the field
- equipping rangers with emerging technologies to enhance their field capability such as underwater drones and thermal cameras
- purchase of ATVs, UTVs and associated equipment to improve ranger capacity to access country to undertake biosecurity surveillance
- enhancing ranger safety by purchasing safety equipment such as satellite phones, life jackets, UHF radios and helmets
- regional ranger forums to provide the opportunity for rangers to improve work practices through targeted mentoring, training and skills exchange and valuable engagement with NAQS scientists and other government agencies
- ranger exchanges on country to facilitate ranger groups with less experience in undertaking biosecurity activities learning from high performing groups
| Recipient | Town | State | Funding (GST inclusive) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation | Nightcliff | NT | 14,400 |
| Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council | Kowanyama | Qld | 82,909 |
| Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation | Nhulunbuy | NT | 51,394 |
| Gunggandji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC | Yarrabah | Qld | 44,573 |
| Wellesley Island Land Sea Social Economic Development Pty Ltd | Mornington Island | Qld | 19,462 |
| Tiwi Resources Pty Ltd | Tiwi | NT | 37,952 |
| Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation | Maningrida | NT | 35,292 |
| Yuku-Baja-Muliku Landowner and Reserves Limited | Cooktown | Qld | 42,341 |
| Marthakal Homelands and Resource Centre Aboriginal Corporation | Galliwin’ku | NT | 13,830 |
| Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation | Derby | WA | 19,312 |
| Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC | Mossman | Qld | 31,928 |
| Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council | Mapoon | Qld | 49,796 |
| South Cape York Catchments Inc. | Cooktown | Qld | 23,100 |
| Kuuku Ya'u Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC | Lockhart | Qld | 56,460 |
| Northern Land Council | Darwin | NT | 281,164 |
| Kimberley Land Council Aboriginal Corporation | Broome | WA | 58,000 |
| Thamarrurr Development Corporation Limited | Wadeye Community | NT | 10,040 |
| Deewin Kirim Aboriginal Corporation | Peppimenarti | NT | 31,571 |
| Gumatj Corporation Limited | Gunyangara | NT | 32,755 |
| Mandubarra Aboriginal Land and Sea Incorporated | Innisfail | Qld | 4,842 |
| Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation | Wyndham | WA | 30,282 |
| Djunbunji Limited | East Trinity | Qld | 55140 |
Applications for Round 2 closed on 8 February 2023.
20 applications were received from Indigenous ranger organisations in northern Australia.
An assessment panel including a representative from the National Indigenous Australians Agency met in March 2023 to assess applications. 15 applications were approved for funding in June 2023 totalling $759,430 (see full recipient list below). Grant agreements and funding commence August 2023.
Examples of grant activities funded include:
- undertaking ranger training including remote first aid, conservation and ecosystem management, coxswain, remote 4WD and remote pilot licence (drone) training
- purchase of IT and other equipment including iPads, laptops, cameras and GPS units to allow rangers to capture and transmit biosecurity data in the field
- equipping rangers with emerging technologies to enhance their field capability such as electric side by side vehicles and underwater drones
- purchase of ATVs, UTVs and associated equipment and training to improve ranger capacity to access country to undertake biosecurity surveillance
- enhancing ranger safety by purchasing safety equipment such as safety helmets, hydration packs, PPE, chemical safety equipment and UHF radios
- leadership training to support emerging Indigenous leaders to develop skills to strengthen their ability to engage with and educate their communities.
| Grantee Name | Recommended Funding Amount (inc GST) |
|---|---|
| Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation | $110.220.84 |
| Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation | $63,701.74 |
| Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation | $31,730.00 |
| Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation | $37,718.47 |
| Milingimbi & Outstation Progress Resource Association Incorporated | $91,836.95 |
| Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council | $37,873.00 |
| Northern Peninsula Area Shire Council | $11,635.00 |
| Abriculture Pty Ltd | $42,579.00 |
| Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC | $3,619.00 |
| Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation | $147,707.68 |
| Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation | $42,995.00 |
| South Cape York Catchments Incorporated | $10,388.00 |
| Thamarrurr Development Corporation Ltd | $30,547.95 |
| Tiwi Resources Pty Ltd | $68,609.53 |
| Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation | $28,268.00 |
| $759,430.16 |
Applications for Round 3 closed in October 2024.
32 applications were received from Indigenous ranger organisations in northern Australia.
A Selection Advisory Panel including a representative from the National Indigenous Australians Agency met in November and December 2024 to assess applications. 30 applications were approved for funding in March 2025 totalling $2,007,029 (see full recipient list below). Grant agreements and funding commence May 2025.
Examples of grant activities funded include:
- Purchase of thermal drones to enable effective monitoring, surveillance and data capture and mapping capability with built in flight-planning software
- Purchase of lockable storage for essential equipment such as ATVs, workshop materials, equipment and community engagement materials relating to biosecurity activities where the organisation lacks a base for their operations
- Purchase and installation of off-grid power (solar) for ranger outstation to improve rangers capability to undertake biosecurity activities around this site for extended periods
- Purchase of an UTV and trailer to transport the UTV to enable access to greater areas and more rugged terrain not accessible by 4WD for biosecurity surveillance
- Attendance at the Women’s Environmental Leadership program for women rangers to support a recently developed Women’s Ranger Strategy (2023) which reflects training needs and maps out how to support women rangers in their roles, providing employment pathways and staff retention
- Purchase of pig trapping equipment to trap pigs for surveillance and postmortem training, accredited drone training and minor works to upgrade a washdown facility at a ranger base.
| Grantee name | Recommended Funding Amount (inc GST) |
|---|---|
| Aak Puul Ngantam Ltd Queensland | $111,743 |
| Goondoi Arts Aboriginal Corporation Queensland | $67,066 |
| Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Queensland | $44,160 |
| Mandubarra Aboriginal Land and Sea Incorporated Queensland | $103,266 |
| Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council Queensland | $85,148 |
| South Cape York Catchments Inc. Queensland | $34,515 |
| Thamarrurr Development Corporation Ltd Northern Territory | $110,133 |
| Tiwi Resources Pty Ltd Northern Territory | $59,382 |
| Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation Western Australia | $35,111 |
| Wuthathi Aboriginal Corporation Queensland | $72,690 |
| Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation Western Australia | $38,898 |
| Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation Northern Territory | $143,839 |
| Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation Western Australia | $102,972 |
| Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation Queensland | $14,198 |
| Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation Northern Territory | $49,950 |
| Gong-Dal Aboriginal Corporation Northern Territory | $94,858 |
| Gunggandji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Queensland | $27,256 |
| Hopevale Congress Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Queensland | $100,165 |
| Karajarri Traditional Lands Association Western Australia | $75,543 |
| Kimberley Land Council Western Australia | $99,957 |
| Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council Queensland | $7,668 |
| Kuuku Ya'u Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Queensland | $103,553 |
| Marthakal Homelands and Resource Centre Aboriginal Corporation Northern Territory | $7,196 |
| Milingimbi Outstations Progress Resource Aboriginal Corporation Northern Territory | $106,425 |
| Wellesley Islands Land and Sea Economic Development Pty Ltd Queensland | $72,626 |
| Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation Western Australia | $12,779 |
| Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation Western Australia | $48,263 |
| Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation Western Australia | $10,769 |
| Yuku Baja Muliku Landowner and Reserves Ltd Queensland | $37,025 |