Aboriginal organisations encouraged to apply for funding to protect heritage sites across Western Australia

Aboriginal organisations are being urged to apply for a share of $1.25 million in Western Australian Government funding for projects that protect, preserve and promote significant Aboriginal heritage sites across the state.

Grants of up to $50,000 will be made available through the 2025-26 Preserve, Promote and Protect our Aboriginal Sites Program, which will support on-the-ground works at Aboriginal sites, promote Aboriginal cultural heritage and provide social and economic benefits to local communities.

Funding is available to restore Aboriginal cultural heritage sites, protect Aboriginal burial areas, install interpretive signage and deliver small-scale works such as fencing or removal of rubbish to support management of the land and the site.

WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch noted "Cultural heritage sites connect Aboriginal communities with their past, present and future, and help to foster stronger economic and social benefits for Aboriginal people.

"For more than 60,000 years, First Nations Australians have cared for this country, and we want to ensure that we continue to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations."

In 2024, the Bibbul Ngarma Aboriginal Association received grant funding to undertake site cleanup, install signage and put wooden logs in place to prevent unauthorised access by vehicles at Mandoon Biyla (Helena River).

Other recipients from last year's funding round included Warlayirti Artists Aboriginal Corporation who will install shelter, fencing and public signage at the Women's Law Ground in the Balgo community of the Kimberley region.

The Preserve, Promote and Protect our Aboriginal Sites Program is part of the State Government's commitment to support Aboriginal people in managing their cultural heritage.

A fourth consecutive increase of government investment in this grants program has seen the funding pool grow from an annual allocation of $250,000 to a new total of $1.25 million each year to support the conservation, protection and awareness of Aboriginal heritage.

Applications close 30th September 2025.

For more information on the grants and the application process, visit www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/grants-preserve-and-protect-aboriginal-sites

Image. Credit: Warlayirti Artists