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

Round 8 of the Aboriginal Ranger Program is now open. In this round up to $16.5 million will be available for Aboriginal organisations to undertake projects linked to ranger activities within the categories of youth, climate action and/or cultural tourism.

Detailed information about the Round is available in the Funding Guidelines.

The Round is open until 5pm AWST Monday 22 April.

Applications must be submitted via DBCA’s SmartyGrants portal (https://dbca.smartygrants.com.au/). They will not be accepted by email or post, or after the closing time.

Please read the guidelines carefully before starting an application.  

If you have any questions about this round, please email ARP on aboriginalrangerprogram@dbca.wa.gov.au

Phase 2 of DBCA's Aboriginal Ranger Program funding is provided across three streams, recognising the diverse needs of ranger programs at different stages of development. 

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.

Watch the webinar on YouTube.

Mailing list

To be added to our mailing list and receive emails about future funding opportunities please complete the form here.

Recipients

In March 2024 the Minister for the Environment, Hon Reece Whitby MLA, announced the following organisations are the successful recipients of Round 7 of the Aboriginal Ranger Program. In this round $13 million has been awarded to 21 projects across Western Australia. 

View the projects on the map in the download section below.

CategoryLocationOrganisationProject TitleFunded amount
SmallKimberleyGogolanyngor Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Bindan Djak (one who travels in the bush) $103,242.76 
SmallPilbara Kulyakartu Aboriginal Corporation Kulyakartu Ranger Team $150,000.00 
SmallGoldfields Barra Parrapi Aboriginal Corporation (RNTBC) Barra Parrapi Ranger Start Up $150,000.00 
SmallKimberleyMadanaa Nada Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC ICN9400 Madanaa Nada Rangers$140,060.00 
SmallMidwestYinggarda Aboriginal Corporation Yinggarda Rangers - Healthy Country Plan 
$150,000.00 
SmallSouth West Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation and Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation 
Karri Karrak and Gnaala Karla Booja Joint Ranger Program (JRP) 
$150,000.00 
SmallGoldfieldsWatarra Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC  
 
Darlot Ranger Program - Feasibility and Project Development Model  
 

$150,000.00 
SmallMidwestYamatji Southern Regional Corporation Limited Yamatji Healthy Country Planning$140,850.00 
SmallPerth metro  
 
Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) Whadjuk Managed Ranger Program $150,000.00 
SmallSouth CoastMirning Traditional Lands Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Strong Foundations: Mirning Country Ranger Program $150,000.00
SmallPilbara Wirrawandi Aboriginal Corporation Ranger Program Development Strategy - Family Conversations $149,800.00 
SmallKimberley Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Walalakoo Women’s Ranger Program: empowering new leaders in conservation $150,000.00 
LargePilbara Jamukurnu-Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation (Western Desert Lands) Martu IPA Ranger Program $1,619,100.00 
LargeMidwest Yugunga-Nya Native Title Aboriginal Corporation Nyikina Walmajarri Rangers $1,755,728.00 
LargeSouth Coast Binalup Aboriginal Corporation Binalup Ranger Program $702,466.49 
LargeSouth Coast Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation Ngowanjerindj Rangers: Enhancing the people, culture and landscapes of the Central Great Southern zone $969,107.00 
LargeSouth West Undalup Association Kaatajin gulyarra yerunga boodja 'Learning all together on country' $987,500.00 
LargeKimberley Yungngora Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Building a Strong Foundation for the Yungngora Aboriginal Ranger Program $852,983.80
LargeMidwestMalgana Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Pathway to a Malgana Country land and sea management program (Phase 4) $1,606,799.00 
LargeWheatbelt Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation Ballardong Rangers - healing country and healing connection $1,618,268.00 
LargeSouth CoastWagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation Aboriginal Ranger Program $1,106,811.00 

  • Round 7 recipients are listed above and shown on this map
  • Round 6 recipients are listed below and shown on this map
  • Round 5 recipients are listed below and shown on this map
  • Recipients of round 4 can be viewed on this map
  • Recipients of rounds 1 to 3 can be viewed on this map

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.

MemberOrganisationRepresenting
Rhonda MurphyDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Chair
 Julie MelbourneNyamba Buru Yawuru LtdKimberley
Talbot MuirTjiwarl Aboriginal CorporationGoldfields
Kevin WalleyBundundea / YulellaMid-west
Les O'NeilMalgana Aboriginal CorporationMid-west
Lindsey LangfordIndigenous Desert AllianceWestern Desert
Julie HaydenBadgebup Aboriginal CorporationWheatbelt
Nerida HaynesTerra Rosa Consulting/ Jidi Jidi Aboriginal CorporationPilbara
Oscar ColbungSouthern Aboriginal CorporationSouth coast
Helen LangleyNgadju Conservation Aboriginal CorporationGoldfields/Esperance
Francis KhanWoolkabunning Kiaka Aboriginal CorporationSouthwest
Phoebe MartinDambimangari Aboriginal CorporationKimberley
Brian WallMurujuga Aboriginal CorporationPilbara
Kane WatsonNorthern Agricultural Catchments CouncilMid-west
Clinton FarmerK Farmer Dutjahn Foundation LtdCentral Desert
Stephen van LeeuwenCurtin UniversityStakeholder advisor
Peter MurrayCountry Needs PeopleStakeholder advisor
Stuart BradfieldDesert Support ServicesStakeholder advisor
Justin McAllisterSouth West Aboriginal Land and Sea CouncilStakeholder 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.

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.

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