Australian Bushland Program (ABP) – New Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs)

Purpose and Program Overview

The Australian Bushland Program (ABP) – New Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) stream is a targeted federal grant opportunity designed to support the establishment and ongoing delivery of new IPAs across Australia. The initiative focuses on achieving positive First Nations land and sea management outcomes, integrating cultural knowledge, and protecting natural resources. By expanding the National Reserve System, the program aims to strengthen the long-term conservation of Australia’s unique environmental and cultural values.

Operating within a broader 250 million dollar federal budget measure, this specific grant round allocated a dedicated 13 million dollar funding pool to new IPA projects. The strategic framework directly supports Australia’s international commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Specifically, the initiative contributes to the national “30 by 30” target, which aims to protect 30% of Australia’s land and sea estates by 2030.

For eligible entities, businesses, and partner organisations, this program drives regional innovation, socio-economic development, and capacity building. Funding flows into local economies by creating meaningful, long-term employment pathways through the Indigenous Rangers Program. It supports corporate and community collaborations focused on environmental sustainability, conservation technology, and structured land management practices.

Key Grant Details

• Funding Range: Individual project allocations generally range from $200,000 to $350,000, depending on the specific project stream.
• Application Dates: The competitive funding round closed in March 2026. Future round dates are managed via official government channels.
• Eligible Entities: First Nations Traditional Owners, corporate entities, and land/sea management organisations working under traditional leadership.
• Co-contributions: No mandatory co-contribution ratios are explicitly defined in the core guidelines, but alignment with existing regional resources is encouraged.
• Location Applicability: Nationwide applicability across all states and territories, including remote regional areas and offshore marine estates like the Torres Strait.

Priority Sectors

The program explicitly prioritises the First Nations Land and Sea Management sector. It is also open to related environmental conservation, regional development, and natural resource management sectors that operate in direct partnership with Traditional Owners.

Funding Scope

The funding structure is divided into two distinct operational streams based on the project’s development phase:

• IPA Dedicated Projects: Provides funding generally between $200,000 and $250,000 per project for areas ready for formal dedication.
• IPA Consultation Projects: Provides funding generally between $300,000 and $350,000 per project to support community consultation and planning phases.
• Project Timeline: Approved activities and funded operations are scheduled to run over a two-year duration from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028.

Eligibility Criteria

• Structure and Leadership: Projects must be entirely led, initiated, and overseen by First Nations Traditional Owners.
• Legal Governance: Applicants must possess or establish a legal governance framework capable of managing federal grant funds.
• Compliance Obligations: Organisations must fulfil standard Australian government compliance criteria, including appropriate insurance coverages.
• Registration Requirements: Applicants must hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) and meet standard Goods and Services Tax (GST) status requirements where applicable.
• Territorial Jurisdiction: The managed land or sea Country must be located within the statutory boundaries of Australia.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Consultation and Governance: Defining formal IPA boundaries, managing stakeholder meetings, and establishing legal frameworks.
• Management Planning: Developing and finalising formal, community-endorsed Plans of Management.
• On-Ground Conservation Operations: Implementing invasive weed management systems and feral animal control programs.
• Cultural and Fire Management: Executing traditional fire management practices and implementing cultural site protection measures.
• Biodiversity Monitoring: Conducting threatened species actions, ecological surveys, and environmental data tracking.
• Capacity Building: Hiring staff, training rangers, and purchasing specialised
• + field equipment required for conservation operations.

Assessment Process

This grant operates as a competitive, merit-based funding program. Applications are thoroughly assessed by an independent panel against established evaluation criteria:

• Project Merit: The ecological and cultural significance of the proposed land or sea Country.
• Strategic Alignment: The degree to which the project contributes to the National Reserve System and the “30 by 30” biodiversity targets.
• Value for Money: The commercial viability, structural efficiency, and realistic budgeting of the proposed project plan.

Recent Program Updates

Recent program expansions have scaled up an active dedication pipeline across several sensitive ecosystems. Key milestones include the late 2025 dedication of the Tiwi Islands IPA, which brought 718,463 hectares of critical habitat in the Northern Territory under protection. Other recent additions include the Arafura Swamp IPA wetland ecosystem and the Masigilgal IPA in the Torres Strait region. All ongoing guidelines, frameworks, and updates are natively managed through the Australian Government’s GrantConnect Platform and the Community Grants Hub.

Application Tips

• Verify Eligibility First: Ensure the project structure is explicitly led by Traditional Owners and matches all regulatory compliance baselines before drafting the paperwork.
• Secure Governance Documents: Prepare legal governance documentation, land tenure maps, and community endorsement letters well in advance.
• Align with National Goals: Clearly demonstrate how the project assists the Australian Government in meeting its global biodiversity and National Reserve System targets.
• Quantify the Outcomes: Detail the expected socio-economic benefits, such as direct job creation through the Indigenous Rangers Program, alongside ecological metrics.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the Australian Bushland Program – New Indigenous Protected Areas and other associated Australian government websites.