Native Title-holding corporations are known as Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs).
The Government recognises the essential role PBCs play in supporting Native Title holders to take advantage of opportunities arising from their Native Title rights and interests.
On 2 August 2025, the Prime Minister announced additional funding to support PBCs to achieve economic empowerment.
Combined with existing funding, this investment will be directed to a new PBC Support Program with 3 streams of funding focussed on building economic empowerment:
- operational funding for PBCs to support them to carry out their legislative functions and enable them to engage with Government and industry
- a one-off establishment payment for new PBCs, and
- strategic project grants for PBCs, offered through a grant opportunity.
The PBC Support program will help PBCs to take advantage of economic and environmental opportunities, leverage greater benefits from their Native Title rights and interests and enable PBCs to meet their corporate compliance and obligations, and engage with government and industry.
Direct funding for Native Title Corporations
PBC Strategic Projects Grant Opportunity
The Australian Government is providing $30 million from July 2026 through to June 2029 to support PBCs to unlock the economic potential of their Native Title rights and interests for the benefit of Native Title holders and their communities.
Eligible PBCs, Traditional Owner Corporations (TOCs), and Traditional Owner Group Entities (TOGEs) can apply directly for funding through the PBC Strategic Projects grant opportunity under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.
Third-party organisations, including Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers (NTRB/SPs), relevant peak bodies and PBC subsidiary entities, can also apply on behalf of eligible groups where they have written authorisation from one or more of the PBCs, TOCs, or TOGEs intended to benefit from the grant.
The funding can support one-off projects for up to 3 years to deliver activities that:
- support PBCs to take advantage of strategic and economic opportunities, and/or
- support effective Native Title agreement-making and partnerships between PBCs, governments and industry.
The types of activities that can be funded include, but are not limited to:
- developing and implementing strategic, economic development and business plans
- developing land-use plans, country planning and cultural mapping tools that inform decision-making frameworks
- planning for the negotiation or implementation of Native Title and Traditional Owner agreements
- establishing corporate structures, subsidiary enterprises, joint ventures, and/or industry partnerships to pursue economic opportunities.
It is anticipated that most grants will be between $50,000-$750,000 depending on the scope of the grant activity and its complexity.
How to apply
This grant invites applications year-round until 30 June 2029, or until funding is fully allocated.
Applications must be made through GrantConnect, which also provides access to the PBC Strategic Projects Grant Opportunity Guidelines and other documentation required to submit an application.
Before applying, applicants must discuss their proposal with their local NIAA Regional Office on 1800 079 098 or by visiting the nearest NIAA Regional Office. Find an office nearby by checking Regional offices around Australia.
Operational and Establishment Funding
PBCs can access operational and establishment funding streams through their NTRB/SP. This funding is to support PBCs to meet their corporate and operational obligations. PBCs should contact their NTRB/SP to find out what services and funding may be available.
A list of NTRB/SP is available on the NIAA website.
PBC Strategic Projects Grants Frequently Asked Questions
Applications close on 30 June 2029 or until available funding is fully allocated.
- PBCs
- Several PBCs can apply for funding as a group.
- Other organisations established for the purpose of representing Traditional Owners under state Native Title settlement legislation or agreements can apply.
- Third parties on behalf of PBCs or eligible Traditional Owner organisations, such as NTRB/SPs, relevant peak bodies and subsidiary entities of PBCs, can apply. The PBCs must authorise these applications to receive and administer funding on their behalf.
You must complete and submit your application using the online application form on GrantConnect.
Contact your local NIAA regional office to discuss your proposal before applying.
It is anticipated that most grants will be between $50,000-$750,000 (GST exclusive), depending on the scope of the grant activity and its complexity. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount, but grants cannot exceed the amount of available funds. The maximum amount allowable for any capital expenditure is $100,000 (GST exclusive) per grant.
Funding can be used for activities that:
- support PBCs to take advantage of strategic and economic opportunities, and/or
- support effective Native Title agreement-making and partnerships between PBCs, governments and industry.
This might include:
- developing and implementing strategic, economic development and business plans
- developing land-use plans, country planning and cultural mapping tools that inform decision-making frameworks
- planning for the negotiation or implementation of Native Title and Traditional Owner agreements
- establishing corporate structures, subsidiary enterprises, joint ventures, and/or industry partnerships to pursue economic opportunities.
A more detailed list of example activities is available in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines on GrantConnect.
Funding will not be provided for:
- activities that do not clearly align to the identified objectives and outcomes of the PBC Strategic Projects grant opportunity
- activities that are more appropriately funded by other government agencies (including state/territory and local Government) under their priorities
- activities and expenses to meet legislative, corporate compliance and ongoing operational responsibilities of PBCs
- retrospective items or activities
- costs reasonably covered by proponent parties (e.g. costs associated with authorising Native Title and Indigenous Land Use Agreements).
The NIAA may award grants as one-off payments or on a single-year or multi-year basis at its discretion.
No. Funding is only available for corporations that are already PBCs and which have been determined by the Federal Court of Australia to hold or manage Native Title rights and interests.
No. Funding is only available for corporations and Group Entities that are recognised under state legislation or settlement agreements that have been executed. For TOGEs, this means entities (as defined in part 1 of the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (Victoria)) incorporated for the purpose of representing Traditional Owner Groups in Victoria. For TOCs, this means Corporations established for the purposes of representing Traditional Owners under an alternative Native Title settlement agreement that has been executed.
PBCs that receive funding for operational support from their NTRB/SP can also apply for PBC Strategic Projects funding. PBC Strategic Projects funding cannot be used to meet the legislative, corporate compliance and ongoing operational responsibilities of PBCs or for activities that are the primary responsibility of a project proponent or another Commonwealth, state, territory or local government body.
You must disclose any other government funding your PBC receives in your application. This helps ensure PBC Strategic Projects funding complements, rather than duplicates, existing funding arrangements and is not used to fund the same activity twice. While PBC operational funding and support may be used to support activities that complement a Strategic Project, PBC Strategic Projects funding cannot be used to deliver activities that should be delivered through PBC operational funding and support received through your NTRB/SP.
Applications must be completed online. If you cannot access the online application, contact your local NIAA Regional Office on 1800 079 098 for assistance.
Staff in NIAA’s Regional Offices are available to answer any queries on the application or funding process. Staff cannot help write the application or provide direct advice regarding your application.
All enquiries should be directed to the NIAA Regional Office on 1800 079 098.