Grants of up to $15,000 (exclusive of GST) are available for Queensland-based activities that support the preservation of Indigenous languages.
Indigenous Languages Grants aim to increase the number and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages spoken in Queensland in partnerships with Aboriginal peoples and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Language is central to identity and connects people to culture, country and kin. Language is also critical to sharing and preserving cultural knowledge and understanding.
With very few fluent speakers remaining in some areas, many languages could easily be lost in the next few decades. The loss of language means the loss of cultural identity that incorporates unique ways of knowing and experiencing the world.
Ensuring children learn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages is an integral part of preservation—it forms a sense of continuity between the leaders of the past and the leaders of tomorrow, who will be responsible for carrying languages and culture forward into the future.
If you would like to receive email communication about future Indigenous languages initiatives, please email the Culture and Reconciliation team at ilg@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au.
The Indigenous Languages Grants 2024-2025 supports a range of activities across Queensland which recognise the importance of promotion, preservation, and revival of traditional and contemporary languages in maintaining cultural identity and building the resilience of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Applications for grants of up to $15,000 (exclusive of GST) are now being accepted.
In partnership with Aboriginal peoples and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Indigenous Languages Grants aim to increase the number and strength of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander languages spoken in Queensland.
Language initiatives include:
Grant applicants should confirm their selected Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander language and language code through the Austlang database.
Please ensure the development of the language initiative appropriately considers the principle of self-determination and demonstrates best practice protection of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).
The Department of Education has developed a guide about Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Protocol for the teaching of Aboriginal languages and Torres Strait Islander languages. See here for more information.
You are encouraged to think about how your activity can be inclusive of people with disability.
The list below provides examples of eligible activities. It is not exhaustive, and you are welcome to submit a proposal for a different type of initiative that meets the objectives of the grant funding:
An applicant wishing to apply for an Indigenous Languages Grant must:
Eligible applicants include:
#Grant applicants that are not incorporated should partner with an incorporated organisation with demonstrated capacity to undertake and oversee community projects. This is an auspice arrangement. The auspice organisation details should be entered in the application form.
1 “a company limited by guarantee” is a specialised form of public company designed for non-profit organisations. In Australia, companies limited by guarantee are subject to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and administered to by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
*where a school does not have a school parent association, please contact the Culture and Reconciliation team via email ILG@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 3003 6440 for guidance.
What the grant funding cannot cover:
| Date | What happens on this date? |
|---|---|
| Friday, 30 May 2025 | Grants open 8:00am (AEST) |
| Friday, 27 June 2025 | Grants close. All applications must be submitted by 8:00am (AEST) |
| Saturday, 9 August 2025 | Applicants advised of outcome |
| Sunday, 28 June 2026 | All activities/projects must be completed and delivered by this date |
Applications will be assessed by an independent assessment panel against the following criteria.
| Criteria | Weighting |
|---|---|
Design
| 70% |
Organisational Capacity
| 30% |
Applicants must include a written letter of support for their application from:
Applications close 8:00 am (AEST) Friday, 27 June 2025.
You can lodge your application online through SmartyGrants website.
Staff from regional offices can assist applicants to upload an application form on SmartyGrants. If you require a PDF version of the form, please contact the Culture and Reconciliation team.
By submitting an application, all applicants acknowledge that, if successful, they will be required to provide the Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism with a brief final report detailing the outcomes of the project, and a financial statement detailing how departmental funds were spent.
Where there is any unspent funding, the Department may require you to refund the unspent funding.
For more information about the grants, including the guidelines, terms and conditions and how to
apply, contact us via:
1. The Indigenous Languages Grants 2024-2025 (the Program) is conducted by the State of Queensland acting through the Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism (DWATSIPM) in accordance with the Program Guidelines and on the following Terms and Conditions.
2. By lodging your Application, you agree to be bound by the Funding Agreement upon written approval of the Application by DWATSIPM.
3. In these Terms and Conditions:
4. DWATSIPM’s decision upon the eligibility of an Application shall be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
5.Applications received after the Closing Date will be ineligible and will not be assessed.
6.The Applicant may withdraw their application at any time by notifying DWATSIPM in writing or by email ilg@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au.
7. Except for any liability that cannot be excluded by law, DWATSIPM (including its officers, employees and agents) excludes all liability (including negligence) for any personal injury; or any loss or damage (including loss of opportunity); whether direct, indirect, special or, arising in any way out of the Application or participation in the Indigenous Languages Grants.
8. Applications received, including material and documents accompanying the Applications, shall not be returned to the Applicant.
9. DWATSIPM (including its officers, employees and agents), members of the assessment panel and the like will not in any way be held responsible for loss of documentation or materials submitted as part of the Application.
10. The conduct of inviting Applications does not give rise to any legal or equitable relationship.
11. DWATSIPM may, by direct notification to the Applicant or via its website (www.qld.gov.au/ilg), change the Program Guidelines (including these Terms and Conditions), or cancel or vary the Application process at any time, whether before, on or after the Closing Date. If this occurs, you must comply with any changes.
12. No person shall be entitled to claim compensation or loss from DWATSIPM for any matter arising out of the Application process, including, but not limited to, failure by DWATSIPM to comply with the Program Guidelines or these Terms and Conditions.
13. Personal information contained in the Application may be disclosed to the assessment panel for the purpose of assessing the Applications, and if the Application is successful, the Applicant agrees that details of the Applicant and the program may be used by DWATSIPM for advertising/promotional purposes.
14. If your application is successful, the Applicant:
15.By submitting an Application, the Applicant:
16. DWATSIPM will assess Applications against the assessment criteria and will provide recommendations to the DWATSIPM delegate for approval.
17. All decisions and recommendations of DWATSIPM are binding and final and there is no process of appeal.
18. Successful Applicants will be required to enter into a Funding Agreement with DWATSIPM within a reasonable time of being notified that the Application has been successful.
19. Provision of the grant support to the successful Applicant, will be subject to, and conditional upon, the Applicant executing the Funding Agreement.
20. By submitting the Application, the Applicant agrees that if successful, it will provide appropriate recognition to the Queensland Government (DWATSIPM), including, but not limited to:
These requirements will be included in the Funding Agreement.
21. The successful Applicant:
22. Successful Applicants agree that they must hold and maintain the following insurances during the term of the Funding Agreement:
23. Applicants must provide to DWATSIPM, with their application, copies of certificates of currency demonstrating the required insurance covers.
24. The Applicant acknowledges that, should the Applicant’s Application be successful, the total amount of grant funding committed to the Applicant’s Initiative will be paid by DWATSIPM as a one-off payment on the signing of the Funding Agreement.
25. The Applicant acknowledges that if the Application is successful, the grant funding amount payable does not attract GST.
26. If the department request a valid tax invoice in accordance with GST legislation and reporting requirements, the Applicant must submit one.
27. Payment of the grant will be made via electronic funds transfer to the Applicant.
28. By submitting an Application, the Applicant acknowledges that if the Application is successful, the Applicant will be required to provide a final report to DWATSIPM detailing specifics of the outcomes of the program, including a financial acquittal.
For further information contact:
Culture and Reconciliation Team
Email: ilg@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au
Phone: (07) 3003 6440
The Indigenous Languages Grants 2024-2025 supports a range of activities across Queensland which recognise the importance of promotion, preservation and revival of traditional and contemporary languages in maintaining cultural identity and building the resilience of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Please go to www.qld.gov.au/ilg for program guidelines and the terms and conditions.
Applications for grants of up to $15,000 (exclusive of GST) are now being accepted.
The list below provides examples of eligible activities. It is not exhaustive, and you are welcome to submit a proposal for a different type of initiative that meets the objectives of the grant funding.
Your program/activity should be free to the public and/or reusable to allow as many people as possible to benefit from the activity.
Applications are invited from legal entities operating in Queensland on a not-for-profit basis, incorporated associations, Local Governments, Universities, School Parent Associations or a Queensland Government approved kindergarten program provider.
Applications will not be accepted from individuals, commercial businesses, Government agencies, State/Commonwealth Members of Parliament.
Non-incorporated bodies may apply but the application must be auspiced by an incorporated body that accepts legal and financial responsibility for the grants. You will need to provide these details on the application form.
The applicant, or the organisation auspicing the grants application, must have the capacity to administer the grant in accordance with the grants reporting requirements.
A governing body is the group of people given the power and authority to form the policy and steer the overall direction of an organisation. It is a collective unit that makes and implements decisions on behalf of its members and the organisation. It is not any single individual.
Yes, you are required to have an ABN.
No, you do not need to be registered for GST. If you are not eligible for GST, no GST will be payable on the grants amount provided.
The Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism defines a branch as part of a larger organisation, having significant local capacity and identifiable client or member base in its own right, and a committee to oversee the operations of the branch.
In this case, yes.
Larger or statewide organisations operating branches across a number of regions are eligible to apply for regional and significant impact grant, for implementation of a program that has broad reaching impact.
Each branch may be eligible for a local grant, dependent on the breadth and intention of the program.
Yes. A consortium of eligible organisations may submit a joint application for grants. Each submitted application, regardless of it being submitted by a consortium, partnership or single entity, is eligible for one grant.
No. If a grant is provided through this program, no further grants or funding support are available for your activity from the Queensland Government.
No. Activities that have already received a guarantee of grants from the Queensland Government are not eligible through this program.
Please provide details of this application within the grant’s details section of the application form.
No. Activities with a different focus should apply for grants from other available Queensland Government programs. The aim of this program is to fund activities that align with the Indigenous Languages Grants Program objectives.
Yes. You should ensure your application is clear and concisely written and includes the requested information.
A budget table has been provided as part of the application process. Use this to itemise the costs associated with your activity as well as the income you may receive. Suggestions of what you need to include are also included on the application form.
Your budget must balance (i.e. expense total equals revenue total) and the grant funding you request must be fully allocated.
In-kind support is a contribution of a good or a service other than money. Examples include - voluntary labour (teacher time) and donated goods (bus/venue hire, recording equipment). Please provide an estimate of the financial value of the in-kind contribution.
How do I apply?
It is essential you read the program guidelines and terms and conditions before you submit an application.
Applications should be submitted with the following:
Applications will be accepted via the official online application form.
As part of the terms and conditions of the program, an organisation wishing to apply for grants must have the following current insurance policies in place:
If your organisation does not have current insurance, please provide a letter detailing the appropriate insurance will be organised should the application be successful, and proof of insurance provided promptly.
8.00 am (AEST) Friday, 27 June 2025.
Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged via email, so please ensure you provide a correct email address on your application form. If you do not receive an email acknowledgment within five (5) business days, please contact the Culture and Reconciliation Team via email at ilg@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au.
Eligible applications will be assessed as part of a competitive process against how well the program aligns with the Indigenous Languages Grants and the assessment criteria.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully consider the following criteria.
| Criteria | Assessment weighting |
|---|---|
Design
| 70% |
Organisational Capacity
| 30% |
Weighted scoring allows the department to prioritise the parts of the assessment criteria. As a grant applicant, it allows you to see which areas require a greater focus in your application and how your application will be assessed to determine the final scoring.
You will be required to:
For more information about the grants, including the guidelines, terms and conditions and how to apply, visit or contact us via:
Before you get started check that your organisation is eligible to apply for the grant.
If you wish to apply, you must meet the eligibility criteria:
To find out more, please read the program guidelines.
If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact the Culture and Reconciliation team by:
To prepare your grant application take some time to:
A key part of the grant program is to include approval from the Language/Traditional Owner for use of the language and how they will be involved in the design, planning and delivery of your project/activity. A letter of support must be provided as part of your application.
*If you are a School Parent Association, then a supporting letter from your School Principal must be included in the application.
Before writing your grant application and project plan research how much your project will cost.
Remember:
| Item | Total cost of your activity | Allocation from the Indigenous Languages Grant | Details of in-kind or financial contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research, archive and project initiation | $3,000 | $2,000 | $1,000 (researcher donated time for project) |
| Collaboration and engagement (including engaging language/Traditional owners, Elders and community members) | $5,000 | $3,000 | |
| Production (digital, design, video or print) | $6,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 (donated video equipment) |
| Marketing and promotion (if applicable) | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| Total expenses | $15,000 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
When researching your project cost, it is important to consider what other funding sources are available and include this in your grant application. Other funding sources could include:
When writing your grant application, make sure you outline:
Remember to keep your responses clear and concise. Word limits will apply to the responses.
When you are ready to submit your application, go to https://datsip.smartygrants.com.au/ILG2024-2025 to complete your application through SmartyGrants.
If you are unable to access SmartyGrants, a paper copy form can be completed, scanned, and emailed to ilg@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au.
Applications close 8:00 am (AEST) Friday, 27 June 2025
For more information, please contact the Culture and Reconciliation team by:
Indigenous Languages Grants, 30 May 2025, [https://oss-uat.clients.squiz.net/firstnations/grants-funding/languages]
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