The Western Australian Aboriginal Ranger Program (ARP) has to date had $103 million allocated to it through State Government investment, which includes $20 million through Phase 1 from 2017-2021 and a further $83 million allocated from 2021–26 through Phase 2 of the program. The program aims to help Aboriginal organisations manage country and protect the environment across the State, in partnership with the public and private sectors. Funding is available for jobs for Aboriginal rangers, training, community development as well as research, tourism and other expansion activities.
The individual ranger programs are led by Aboriginal people and the ARP is administered by the Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. The ARP is largely funded by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Royalties for Regions.
The program began in 2017, with $20 million invested into 35 ranger programs with 28 partner organisations. By the end of Phase 1, Aboriginal organisations had reported providing 1236 jobs for Aboriginal people, 45 per cent of those employed being women as well as significant land and sea planning and management outcomes. In 2021, the McGowan Government acknowledged the importance and success of the program and committed an additional $50 million to continue the project to 2025. Another $16.5 million was later added to extend to June 2026, and then another $16.5 million specifically to implement Round 8 was added bringing the total Phase 2 commitment to $83 million over five years.
The Aboriginal Ranger Program sought to build on the existing work of Aboriginal ranger groups throughout the State, in recognition of the social, cultural and environmental benefits these programs were already producing.
The program helps Aboriginal organisations employ and train Aboriginal people as rangers, coordinators and other management and support staff to undertake land and sea management activities including:
- biodiversity monitoring and research
- traditional knowledge transfer
- fire management
- cultural site management
- feral animal and weed management
- cultural awareness for visitors
- guided welcome to country tours and/or talks for visitors
- management of visitors or tourists and tourism assets education programs and mentoring
Funding opportunities
There are no current funding opportunities. To be added to our mailing list and receive emails about future funding opportunities please complete the form here.
In Round 8 of the Aboriginal Ranger Program $16.5 million was available to Aboriginal organisations undertaking ranger projects with the categories of youth, climate action and cultural tourism. This funding was fully allocated in 2024, to 12 successful organisations across the State.
Development Fund
The Development Fund was created to provide support to new and emerging ranger programs, empowering Aboriginal organisations to build strong foundations for long term success.
This fund was fully allocated over two rounds – Round 5 in 2022 ($10 million) and Round 7 in 2023 ($13 million). Funding has been awarded to 38 different organisations to support planning for, and the development of, new and emerging ranger programs.
Expansion Fund
The Expansion Fund was created to support established ranger programs as they grow their activities and develop longer-term career pathways for rangers.
The Expansion Fund was fully allocated in 2022. $22.8 million was distributed to 14 Aboriginal organisations, supporting over 100 ranger jobs for up to four years.
Innovation Fund
The Innovation Fund was created to fund special projects that explore creative approaches to ranger work, and provide learnings that will benefit the ranger sector.
The Innovation Fund was fully allocated in 2023. $11 million was awarded to 12 organisations, supporting innovative projects across the State.
Grant writing workshop
To support ranger teams in the process of writing grant applications, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions offered a Grant Writing Essentials webinar via Zoom. Hosted by Tara Whitney from Whitney Consulting, the webinar was held on 3 August 2022 and gave participants an overview of best practise grant writing.
Recipients
In June 2024 the Minister for the Environment, Hon Reece Whitby MLA, announced the following organisations are the successful recipients of Round 8 of the Aboriginal Ranger Program. In this round $16.5 million has been awarded to 12 projects across Western Australia.
View the projects on the map in the download section below.
| Organisation | Project name | Offer amount |
|---|---|---|
| Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation | Ngoolyark Climate Action Project | $2,145,975.00 |
| Birriliburu Pty Ltd | Birriliburu Tourism: Katiku-latjanaya Nintijunku-latjanaya (Showing People Country and Culture) | $521,238.80 |
| Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation | Establishment of an Aboriginal Land and Sea Ranger Program | $2,112,176.00 |
| Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation (KKAC) | Karri Karrak Junior Ranger Program – Donnelly & Blackwood Districts | $1,075,336.00 |
| Parna Ngururrpa Aboriginal Corporation | Building increased capacity for Ngururrpa Rangers | $422,436.00 |
| Southern Aboriginal Corporation | Southern Aboriginal Corporation Aboriginal Ranger Program | $1,880,446.00 |
| Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation | Building Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation's Sustainable Land Management Capacity | $1,276,946.00 |
| Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation | Wajarri Yamaji Junior Ranger Pilot Program | $521,384.00 |
| Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation | Wilinggin Visitor Management Program | $1,272,590.00 |
| Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation | Yindjibarndi Ranger Program at Ngurrawaana | $2,200,056.00 |
| Yued Aboriginal Corporation | Carbon Economy Preparation Project | $1,576,293.58 |
| Yugunga-Nya Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC | Yugunga-Nya Aboriginal Ranger Tourism Program | $1,341,460.00 |
Reference Group
An expert Reference Group has been established to assist DBCA on an ongoing basis to shape the design and roll-out of the second phase of the Aboriginal Ranger Program. The group’s Terms of Reference can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
Members of the Reference Group were invited on the basis of their skills and practical knowledge of Aboriginal ranger programs, and were selected from across all regions of WA. Aboriginal and gender representation were also key considerations in forming the membership, and the group has committed to improving female representation in its membership over the next 12 months. Members of the Reference Group are listed below.
| Member | Organisation | Representing |
|---|---|---|
| Rhonda Murphy | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions | Chair |
| Julie Melbourne | Nyamba Buru Yawuru Ltd | Kimberley |
| Talbot Muir | Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation | Goldfields |
| Kevin Walley | Bundundea / Yulella | Mid-west |
| Les O'Neil | Malgana Aboriginal Corporation | Mid-west |
| Lindsey Langford | Indigenous Desert Alliance | Western Desert |
| Julie Hayden | Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation | Wheatbelt |
| Nerida Haynes | Terra Rosa Consulting/ Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation | Pilbara |
| Oscar Colbung | Southern Aboriginal Corporation | South coast |
| Helen Langley | Ngadju Conservation Aboriginal Corporation | Goldfields/Esperance |
| Francis Khan | Woolkabunning Kiaka Aboriginal Corporation | Southwest |
| Phoebe Martin | Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation | Kimberley |
| Brian Wall | Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation | Pilbara |
| Kane Watson | Northern Agricultural Catchments Council | Mid-west |
| Clinton Farmer | K Farmer Dutjahn Foundation Ltd | Central Desert |
| Stephen van Leeuwen | Curtin University | Stakeholder advisor |
| Peter Murray | Country Needs People | Stakeholder advisor |
| Stuart Bradfield | Desert Support Services | Stakeholder advisor |
| Justin McAllister | South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council | Stakeholder advisor |
The following agencies also have standing invitations for representatives to attend as observers:
- Minister for Environment office
- Minister for Aboriginal Affairs office
- Department of the Premier and Cabinet
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- National Indigenous Australians Agency
- West Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council
- Tourism Western Australia
- Western Australian Local Government Association
Members of the public are also able to contribute to the work of the Reference Group by using our online form to provide comments, suggestions and feedback for consideration.
To obtain a copy of the latest reference group minutes, please contact aboriginalrangerprogram@dbca.wa.gov.au.
Evaluation
Visit the Evaluating the Aboriginal Ranger Program page for information and reports about the social outcomes program.
Media statements
- Aboriginal rangers to benefit from $16.5 million in funding 18 June 2024
- Aboriginal organisations receive $13 million from ranger program Tuesday 12 March 2024
- New Aboriginal Ranger Program grants available - Friday 11 August 2023
- New round of funding for Aboriginal Ranger Program -Tuesday 11 April 2023
- Aboriginal Ranger Program Round 5 recipients announced - Wednesday 14 December 2022
- Round five of the Aboriginal Ranger Program now open - Friday, 1 July 2022
- Aboriginal Ranger Program Round 4 recipients announced - Wednesday, 29 June 2022
- 22 million dollar boost to Aboriginal Ranger Program as funding round opens - Friday, 25 February 2022
- Expert advisory group to shape $50 million expanded Aboriginal Ranger Program - Friday, 4 February 2022
- Aboriginal Ranger Program Round Three recipients announced - Sunday, 20 September 2020
- Aboriginal Ranger Program Round 3 applications open - 09 April 2020
- Aboriginal Ranger Program Round 2 recipients announced - 11 September 2019
- One month left to apply for Round 2 of the Aboriginal Ranger Program - Friday, 15 February 2019
- Aboriginal Ranger Program Round 2 applications open - Friday, 15 February 2019
- Funding for Aboriginal rangers delivered - Saturday, 10 February 2018
- Interest sought for Aboriginal Ranger Program - Saturday, 10 February 2018
Contact us
For additional information please contact:
Aboriginal Ranger Program Coordinator
Phone: (08) 9219 8223
Email: aboriginalrangerprogram@dbca.wa.gov.au.
Keep up to date
To be added to our mailing list and receive emails about future funding opportunities please complete the form here.
Downloads
