Grants to preserve and protect Aboriginal sites

What is the Preserve, Promote and Protect Our Aboriginal Sites (PPPOAS) Grants Program?

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage’s 2025-2026 PPOAS Grant Program offers funding to support Aboriginal Corporations and not-for-profit organisations in protecting, preserving and promoting Aboriginal heritage. The program, which began in 2014, has committed more than $4.25 million to assist Aboriginal communities in managing their cultural heritage across Western Australia.

How much funding is available in the 2025-2026 round?

The 2025-26 round will provide up to $1.25 million in grants, with up to $50,000 available per project to help preserve Aboriginal sites across the state.

How many grants can I apply for?

There is no limit to the number of grants an organisation can apply for but only one grant will be approved per project, which may cover one or more sites. Multiple grants to a single organisation may be limited for fairness and balance.

What criteria are the grants assessed by?

Grants are assessed based on:

• Sustainable long-term heritage benefits.
• Public benefit and increased awareness of Aboriginal heritage.
• Opportunities and benefits for Aboriginal people and organisations.
• Sound project planning and value for money

Who can apply?

Representatives of Aboriginal Corporations and incorporated not-for-profit Aboriginal organisations are eligible to apply. You will be asked to provide supporting information to confirm your status.

Joint submissions with other eligible organisations are allowed but a single eligible Aboriginal organisation must be the applicant. The other organisation(s) will be listed in the Project Details.

Does the organisation need to be registered for GST?

No. However, if you are not registered for GST your grant will not cover the GST amount of any products or supplies you purchase. You will be asked to confirm your GST status in the application form.

Do I need an ABN?

No. If you do not have an ABN you will be required to complete a Statement by Supplier form to identify why you are exempt.  

How do I apply?

Applications can be submitted online through the SmartyGrants platform. A link will be located on the DPLH website.

What can the grants be used for?

Grants should primarily fund physical works to protect or preserve Aboriginal sites, such as installing fences or signage, removing graffiti, site clean-up and remediation. 

Developing site management plans or collecting heritage information can be included but should not be the primary focus. Consultant fees should not exceed one-third of project costs.

All projects should be discussed with your local DPLH officer or the grants team at the Department prior to submitting your application. For more details, please see the Guidelines for Applicants.

Can the grant be used for researching or surveying heritage sites?

Projects should be based on known heritage values, with physical works as the primary objective. 

Research or surveys should be proposed through the State Government’s Aboriginal Heritage Survey Program instead. For more information, visit the DPLH ACHKnowledge Portal

What sites are eligible for the grants program?

Grants are available for projects associated with Registered Aboriginal Sites and Lodged places included in the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Inquiry System on the DPLH website.

What details about the Aboriginal heritage site are needed for the application?

Applications should include the site name and identification number listed in the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Inquiry System. If more than one site is to be covered, list all sites. If your site is not shown in ACHIS please contact the Department.  

Do I need support from the native title party and landowner if the organisation represents traditional custodians or knowledge holders?

Yes, formal support from the native title party or ILUA group will be required where native title has been determined. An application from a native title party or ILUA group does not need to provide a separate letter of support.

Where native title has not been determined the applicant should contact the Department to discuss. Native title information is available through PlanWA using the ‘Native Title’ information layer.

How do I identify who the landowner is?

If you do not know the landowner there may be some information available in PlanWA, particularly if the land is a pastoral lease. Use the ‘Layers’ filters to show ‘Aboriginal Heritage’ and ‘DPLH Managed Lands’.

If you believe the site is on Crown Land or otherwise managed by a State agency, your DPLH contact should be able to confirm this, and advise which agency is responsible.

For other sites, ownership information is held by your local government and should be available through a review of the rates information. This may require completion of a request form. It is also possible to purchase a copy of any certificate of title from Landgate.

Do I need support from a government body if it is the landowner?

Yes, if a local government or State Government body is the landowner or holds a management order, their support is necessary. If DPLH is responsible for the land, the grants team will coordinate a request for support. Please talk with your local contact or the grants officer.

What details are needed about the proposed project?

Provide a detailed description of the proposed project, including an itemised budget, schedule of works, and any relevant cost estimates or quotations from service providers. You should identify a start date that you can reasonably achieve and identify how long the project would take. Be realistic about the time needed to prepare for your project and to carry it out. Deadlines can be changed by written agreement with the Department, but it is better if you are able to meet your original schedule.

What information is required about our organisation?

Include all requested organisation details, including contact and ORIC registration details for Aboriginal Corporations, or evidence that you are an Aboriginal organisation and not-for-profit status for an incorporated not-for-profit association.

What is expected if our organisation receives a grant?

Grant recipients must seek necessary approvals and execute the project as described. Progress reports are required every six months and a final report with a financial statement must be submitted on completion. Any proposed project changes should be discussed with the DPLH grants team.

Other obligations are identified in the grant agreement, which should be reviewed before executing the agreement and returning it to the Department.

Is our organisation still eligible if we have previously received a PPPOAS Grant?

Yes, if past grant requirements have been met. A previous grant can still be active but should be within agreed deadlines.  

If you have questions about eligibility, please contact the grants team before applying. For more details, please see the Guidelines for Applicants.

What happens after we apply for the grant?

Applications are assessed by a DPLH Grants Assessment Panel. Results will be announced in late 2025/early 2026.

All applicants will be contacted. Successful applicants must be prepared to sign the grant agreement and will receive payment within four weeks of notification. You do not need to submit an invoice – the payment will be initiated by the Department. Unsuccessful applicants can ask for feedback to assist them in future grant rounds.

What other approvals do I need?

Successful projects will be assessed to determine whether approvals are required under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 and if so, an application will be made on your behalf to the Registrar. Grant offers will include any relevant approval from the Registrar.

Applicants should identify whether their works will require any further approval under other legislation, including development approval, building permit or environmental approval. Your local government manages these applications and will be able to tell you whether approvals are needed. 

Who do I contact for assistance with the application?

For assistance, please contact the DPLH PPPOAS Grants Officer, or the Heritage Officer for your region.

In 2024-25, nearly $1 million was awarded to 17 not-for-profit Aboriginal organisations for 21 projects to protect significant Aboriginal heritage sites across Western Australia. Each project was funded up to $50,000 for on-the-ground works.

Grants will be used to undertake site restorations, protect Aboriginal burial areas, install interpretive signage and deliver on-the-ground land management works.

Applications for the 2023-2024 round of the Preserve, Promote and Protect our Aboriginal Sites program closed on 24 March 2024.

This year 16 grants were awarded across 12 organisations, totalling $742,648.