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Indigenous Advancement Strategy

A new approach to engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve real results.

The Australian Government is committed to achieving better results for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in three priority areas - getting children to school, adults into work and building safe communities.

To make this happen, the Government is transforming the way Indigenous programs are delivered through the implementation of the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.

The Indigenous Advancement Strategy consolidates the many different Indigenous policies and programs that were delivered by Government into five overarching programs, making it easier for organisations delivering local services. The program streams are:

  • Jobs, Land and Economy
  • Children and Schooling
  • Safety and Wellbeing
  • Culture and Capability
  • Remote Australia Strategies.

The Indigenous Advancement Strategy is changing the way Australian Government funding is delivered to ensure it is more flexible and better designed to meet the aspirations and priorities of individual communities. Together, we can achieve real and lasting results to close the gap on disadvantage and ensure all Australians have the same opportunities in life.

Indigenous Entrepreneurs Fund (IEF)

The IEF was a three year program that ended on 30 June 2019. Funding under the IEF is no longer available. Potential applicants can speak with their local NIAA office to discuss alternative options.

Recent stories

A primary-school aged girl looks at the camera. She is wearing a black and white striped jumper. She is wearing yellow, white, red and black face paint in the traditional dot style around her eyes.

Education among Budget highlights in 2019

4 Apr 2019
A $200 million commitment has been made in the 2019-20 Budget to improve education for Indigenous students.
Three Aboriginal ladies sitting on the ground outside and surrounded by purple flowers.

Prestigious land care award recognises the work of the Spinifex people

26 Sep 2017
The Spinifex Rangers are based in one of Australia’s most remote communities and recently won the Western Australian Indigenous Landcare Award for following both traditional land care practices and fresh responses to new environmental threats.
Indigenous trades person.

Minister Scullion: A new era of Indigenous grant funding commences

8 Sep 2014

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, announced the first grant round for funding under the $4.8 billion Indigenous Advancement Strategy will open today, Monday 8 September 2014, for six weeks.

More stories in Indigenous Advancement Strategy

More Information

In August 2019, the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) Grant Guidelines were updated to reflect the transfer to the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

In the 2019-20 Budget, the Australian Government allocated $5.2 billion to the IAS, over four years to 2022-23, for grant funding processes and administered procurement activities that address the objectives of the IAS.

To find out more about the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, visit the National Indigenous Australians Agency website.

Details of specific funding opportunities are published on the Australian Government GrantConnect website. 

You can also talk to your local National Indigenous Australians Agency contact on 1800 079 098.