RFAs: Aboriginal Tourism Grant Program (Round 8) – Australia

Funding Information

• A total of $1,000,000 (excluding GST) is available to:
  • develop and activate Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences and tourism product
  • support Aboriginal tourism businesses to enhance their tourism experiences that encourage visitors to travel to the NT and stay longer.
  • Applications can be submitted for:
  • minimum funding value of $30,000 (excluding GST)
  • up to a maximum value of $100,000 (excluding GST)
  • applications under this program will be considered with reference to other NT Government funding, which the applicant may have accessed or they may qualify for.

Eligible Activities

• As a guide, activities may include (but are not limited to):
  • new product development that activates a bookable product (e.g. accommodation and Aboriginal cultural engagement including night time and evening experiences) supported by the implementation of a booking system
  • upgrade improvements and/ or new infrastructure for tourism visitor experiences
  • infrastructure to support sustainability and/ or accessibility and inclusion objectives (e.g. solar power generation, access ramps, improved pathways and audio tours)
  • interpretative signage, interpretation planning and guiding manuals – noting that any road signage must align to national standards and the requirements of the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure
  • implementation of new technology to improve the on-ground tourism visitor experience
  • engaging expert and specialist professionals to support the development and delivery of the activities.

Ineligible Activities

• activities that do not clearly demonstrate an Aboriginal cultural experience or a stronger visitor product that encourages travel to the NT and to stay longer is being delivered
• activities that have commenced before funding is approved
• upgrading or developing facilities mostly for local community use or where there is no clearly defined visitor benefit
• regular repairs and maintenance
• administrative or running costs that are normally the responsibility of a business (e.g. rent, insurances, audit and finance costs etc.) state or territory administrative or local council fees
• the purchase or lease of mobile/ portable assets including, but not limited to, electronic office equipment, vehicles and boats. Portable and attractive assets that can be defined as items that are susceptible to theft or loss due to their size
• purchase or lease of real estate of any type
• marketing, advertising and product promotion activities for actively trading Aboriginal tourism businesses and its existing products and experiences
• wages or salaries for an applicant’s employees
• activities that have already received significant funding support from the NT Government may not be competitive or a priority for ongoing or additional support
• Individuals or group consultation sitting/ engagement fees
• Hospitality expenses including alcoholic beverages.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Grant Program is designed to primarily support Aboriginal owned and majority owned businesses and organisations.
• Eligible applicants must:
  • be greater than 50% Aboriginal owned
  • be a business or organisation located and operating in the NT
  • Aboriginal corporations and associations to provide confirmation of intent to lodge a Grant Program application. Evidence could be:
    • written advice from a minimum of two Directors involved in discussions or approvals; or
    • minutes of a duly constituted meeting.
  • be legally constituted
  • be Australian registered
  • have approvals of the relevant Land Council or other land management authority for current and proposed/ new tourism product/s related to the application (not required for development planning activities e.g. feasibilities and business planning).
  • have no outstanding grant acquittals or unmet funding agreement obligations from any previous funding from Tourism NT.
• If the applicants are an active trading Aboriginal tourism business, applicants must:
  • have a business plan
  • have a current Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing or have applied for one at the time of application (if appropriate)
  • be a member of a peak industry body, such as Tourism Top End, Tourism Central Australia, Hospitality NT or have applied for one at the time of application to the grant (if appropriate)
  • employ Territorian residents.

For more information, visit Northern Territory Government.