2026 Aboriginal Languages Growth Program

Prior to starting your application, please ensure you have read the Program Guidelines.

Please note:

• Applications cannot be changed once submitted.
• ALT may consider extending the closing date for all applicants. Any extensions will be made public through the ALT website (www.alt.nsw.gov.au) on the ALT's social media platforms and the SmartyGrants portal.
• The ALT will not extend the close date for individual applications or accept late applications. 
• All applications are assessed against the eligibility and assessment criteria, as well as other applications.

The Aboriginal Languages Growth Program aims to support Communities to grow and sustain Languages by enabling Aboriginal Community Organisations, groups and individuals to continue to undertake practical and meaningful Language projects which involve the deep transmission of Languages and have a broader impact in Community.

The objective of the Aboriginal Languages Growth Program is to support:

• a focus on the deeper transmission of Aboriginal Languages,
• Aboriginal Communities to implement their Community Language Plans,
• the promotion, wider use, and appreciation of NSW Aboriginal Languages research, resources and study,
• building deeper, lasting and meaningful Language resilience through sustained practice and education, and
• Communities to sustainably lead, strengthen and nurture Aboriginal Language growth.

Applicants can apply for grants from $30,000 up to $90,000 per financial year.

The Aboriginal Languages Trust has allocated to $990,000 for the 2025-2026 Aboriginal Languages Growth Program.

Projects must be completed by 30 June 2028.

The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

• submission of this application does not guarantee funding will be granted for any project, and the Department expressly reserves its right to accept or reject this application at its discretion;
• it must bear the costs of preparing and submitting this application and the Department does not accept any liability for such costs, whether or not this application is ultimately accepted or rejected; and
• it has read the Funding Guidelines for the Program and has fully informed itself of the relevant program requirements

By submitting this application form, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

• if this project application is successful, the relevant details of the project will be made public, including details such as the names of the organisation (Applicant) and any partnering organisation (state government agency or non-government organisation), project title, project description, location, anticipated time for completion and amount awarded;
• the Department will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that any information received in or in respect of this application which is clearly marked ‘Commercial-in-confidence’ or ‘Confidential’ is treated as confidential, however, such documents will remain subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act); and
• in some circumstances the Department may release information contained in this application form and other relevant information in relation to this application in response to a request lodged under the GIPA Act or otherwise as required or permitted by law.

By submitting this Application form, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:

• the Department is required to comply with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) (the Privacy Act) and that any personal information (as defined by the Privacy Act) collected by the Department in relation to the program will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act and its privacy policy (available at: https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/privacy);
• the information it provides to the Department in connection with this application will be collected and stored on a database and will only be used for the purposes for which it was collected (including, where necessary, being disclosed to other Government agencies in connection with the assessment of the merits of an application) or as otherwise permitted by the Privacy Act;
• it has taken steps to ensure that any person whose personal information (as defined by the Privacy Act) is included in this application has consented to the fact that the Department and other Government agencies may be supplied with that personal information, and has been made aware of the purposes for which it has been collected and may be used.