The government recognises the social, cultural and environmental benefits of Aboriginal ranger programs and is aware of the excellent work that has already been undertaken by established Aboriginal ranger groups throughout the State. Such programs have provided an integral step towards improved community wellbeing and reducing poverty through economic opportunities and building leadership in remote and regional communities.
Led by the Aboriginal community and Aboriginal organisations with support from the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and across government, the program is helping Aboriginal organisations manage country and protect the environment across WA in partnership with the public and private sectors. Funding is available for jobs for Aboriginal rangers, training, and community development.
Since its commencement in 2017-18, the program has continued to train and employ Aboriginal people as rangers 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 and immersion experiences 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
ARP Development Fund
Round 5 of the Aboriginal Ranger Program (ARP) is now open.
Under this round, up to $10 million will be available from the ARP Development Fund to support new and emerging ranger programs.
There are two categories of funding in this round:
- Small grants ($10,000 to $100,000) for organisations looking to start a ranger program and that need help with the planning and preparation.
- Large grants (over $100,000) for organisations that are ready to start their ranger program and need assistance employing rangers or building capacity.
Detailed information about this round is available in the Round 5 Guidelines for Expressions of Interest.
Applications must be submitted via DBCA’s SmartyGrants portal no later than 11:59pm 26 August 2022. Applications will not be accepted by email or post.
Please read the Guidelines carefully before starting an application.
If you have any questions about this round, please email the ARP on aboriginalrangerprogram@dbca.wa.gov.au
In June 2022, $22.8 million was allocated under Round 4 (Expansion Fund) to support eligible Aboriginal organisations with established ranger programs. The Expansion Fund will help Aboriginal communities consolidate their ranger programs and plan for the future by supporting over 100 key ranger positions, with more than half of those expected to be women, for up to four years.
Successful recipients are listed below
|
Applicant |
Project title |
Region |
Funding allocated |
Employment outcomes |
|
Birriliburu Pty Ltd* |
Birriliburu Ranger and Tourism Development Project |
Central Desert |
$1,440,000 3 FTEs 4 years |
6 part time 4 casual
|
|
Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (ETNTAC) |
The Boodja Maara Burany Program |
Goldfields |
$2,400,000 5 FTEs 4 years |
4 full time 2 part time |
|
Mantjiljarra Yulparirra Pty Ltd (TMPAC) |
TMPAC Wiluna Ranger Program |
Goldfields |
$1,550,000 5 FTEs 3.5 years |
1 full time 10 casual |
|
Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation* |
Dambimangari Rangers |
Kimberley |
$2,035,000 5 FTEs 4 years |
5 full time |
|
Karajarri Traditional Lands Association |
Karajarri Rangers |
Kimberley |
$1,130,000 3 FTEs 4 years |
3 part time 10 casual |
|
Kimberley Land Council |
Bardi Jawi Oorany Rangers - Monsoon Vine Thicket Recovery |
Kimberley |
$1,440,000 3 FTEs 4 years |
1 full time 2 part time 3 casual |
|
Kimberley Land Council |
Gooniyandi Rangers |
Kimberley |
$1,440,000 3 FTEs 4 years |
1 full time 2 part time 3 casual |
|
Kimberley Land Council |
Nyul Nyul Women Rangers - Monsoon Vine Thicket Recovery |
Kimberley |
$1,440,000 3 FTEs 4 years |
1 full time 2 part time 3 casual |
|
Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation |
Nyaliga Rangers |
Kimberley |
$1,800,000 5 FTEs 3.8 years |
5 full time |
|
Kalyuku Ninti - Puntuku Ngurra Limited |
KJ Ranger Program in Karlamilyi National Park |
Pilbara |
$2,190,000 5 FTEs 4 years |
1 full time 7 part time 4 casual |
|
Budadee Aboriginal Corporation |
Budadee Aboriginal Ranger Program |
Pilbara |
$1,440,000 3 FTEs 4 years |
1 full time 4 part time |
|
Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation |
Yindjibarndi Rangers Program: Land management and cultural assets protection - Indigenous Ranger employment in the Pilbara region |
Pilbara |
$2,160,000 4 FTEs 3.5 years |
2 full time 3 casual |
|
Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation |
Ngoolyark Rangers |
Southwest |
$1,155,000 5 FTEs 2 years |
5 full time |
|
Southern Aboriginal Corporation |
Southern Aboriginal Corporation (SAC) Aboriginal Ranger Program |
Southwest |
$1,180,000 5 FTEs 2 years |
1 full time 5 part time |
*First time funded under the ARP
ARP Expansion Fund
There are currently no funding rounds open under this funding stream. If you would like to be notified when funding announcements are made, please register your interest here: https://forms.office.com/r/wetftK9AzT
ARP Innovation Fund
More information about this funding stream will be made available later this year.
For any specific enquiries, please contact the ARP team at aboriginalrangerprogram@dbca.wa.gov.au
Evaluation
Aboriginal Ranger Program – Evaluation
The Aboriginal Ranger Program is an initiative of the McGowan Government that was launched in 2017 with a commitment of $20 million Royalties for Regions funding over five years.
The program provides grants to Aboriginal organisations for discrete projects aimed at generating new training, employment, community development or capacity building opportunities related to land and sea management, including tourism-related projects. Education, training, and employment of women are key components of the program.
To evaluate the social outcomes of the Program, DBCA social scientists Dr Amanda Smith and Dr Kate Rodger have been undertaking a scientific qualitative case study analysis. Preliminary fieldwork, including interviews and participant observation, have been undertaken with case studies involving three projects and five ranger groups. These are:
- Karajarri-Ngurrara Desert Fire and Biodiversity project, which involves two ranger groups – Karajarri Rangers based out of Bidyadanga and Ngurrara Rangers based out of Fitzroy Crossing.
- Dampier Peninsula Women Rangers Monsoon Vine Thicket Recovery Program, which involves two women ranger groups – Nyul Nyul Rangers based out of Beagle Bay and Bardi Jawi Oorany Rangers based at Ardyaloon (One Arm Point) on the Dampier Peninsula.
- Esperance Tjaltjraak Emerging Ranger Program – Affirming Connection to Our Country, Our Boodja based in Esperance.
DBCA’s evaluation of three case study ranger projects are highlighting the positive impacts of ranger programs. Preliminary results from the ongoing study indicate that the Aboriginal Ranger Program assists in capacity building for ranger groups, creates significant social, cultural and economic benefits, and contributes to improved community wellbeing and resilience through building leadership skills and enabling partnerships with private sector organisations.
“Today’s ranger program is continuing the aspirations of the old people for looking after and caring for country and done in a way that the cultural values are embedded and protected. The ranger program is an opportunity for young rangers to learn more about the culture and go out places that they only hear about.” Elder, Esperance Tjaltjraak.
Aboriginal Ranger Program Case study, funding recipients and outcomes
For additional information about the program evaluation please contact:
Social Science Coordinator
Phone: (08) 9219 8225
Email: Amanda.smith@dbca.wa.gov.au
Karajarri Case Study - Capacity Building and Personal Development
Tjaltjraak Case Study - Healing Country and Connection to Family
News
- 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(now closed) - 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
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.
| Rhonda Murphy | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions | Chair |
| Julie Melbourne | Nyamba Buru Yawuru Ltd | Kimberley |
| Talbot Muir | Tjiwarl Aborignal 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.
Contact us
For additional information please contact:
Aboriginal Ranger Program Coordinator
Phone: (08) 9219 8223
Email: aboriginalrangerprogram@dbca.wa.gov.au.