GO8196: 2026 NAIDOC Local Grants Opportunity

NAIDOC Local Grants support activities held for NAIDOC Week (5 to 12 July 2026) that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, achievements and their continuing contribution to our country and Australian society.

Funding is available across 3 funding streams: 1.

Educational Institutions (up to $1,500) 2.

Small-scale grants (up to $10,000), and 3.

Large-scale grants (more than $10,000 and up to $25,000).

NAIDOC Local Grants provide a contribution towards the cost of local and regional NAIDOC Week activities across Australia - it is not expected to cover the full running costs of an event.

It is expected that most grants will be awarded for $10,000 or less.

Non-Indigenous organisations are strongly encouraged to work with their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in planning activities.

All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the 2026 NAIDOC Local Grants Opportunity - Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

Applicants seeking a large-scale grant of more than $10,000 and up to $25,000 will also be assessed against the selection criterion and compared to other applications in the large-scale grants stream.

The NIAA distributes available funding across NIAA Regions, based on geographic location and the number and proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.

Funding preference is given to Indigenous Organisations when distributing funding within each NIAA Region (in accordance with the Grant Funding Preference Priorities set out in the 2026 NAIDOC Local Grants Opportunity - Grant Opportunity Guidelines).

NIAA delegates will decide on the number and value of grants awarded in each of the 3 funding streams within NIAA Regions.

We expect most grants will be offered to applications in Stream Two – Small Scale Grants.

Grant Funding Preference Priorities may also impact on the number of applications funded under Stream One.

Applicants must intend to deliver a NAIDOC activity/event that meets the grant objectives and occurs between 1 July 2026 and 31 October 2026.

Applicants must have an ABN (with limited exemptions), an Australian bank account, be registered for GST where relevant, and be one of the eligible entity types listed (e.g.

CATSI corporations, companies, incorporated associations/cooperatives, organisations established under specific legislation, local government bodies, incorporated trustees for trusts, partnerships, sole traders, consortium lead organisations, educational institutions or correctional facilities).

Non-Indigenous organisations must have support from the local First Nations community and/or stakeholders (a Letter of Support is strongly encouraged and may be requested).

Partnerships and Sole Traders must provide a Letter of Support from the secondary organisation (or confirmed attendees if using own premises); non-Indigenous Partnerships or Sole Traders must provide a Letter of Support from the local First Nations community/stakeholders.

Applicants must be financially viable to the satisfaction of the Commonwealth and must have rectified or be rectifying any previous non-compliance with Commonwealth agreements.

Applicants must comply with all applicable laws and hold any required permits, registrations or checks (for example Working with Children/Vulnerable People checks where relevant).