Indigenous Protected Areas Program Transition
The Indigenous Protected Areas Program (IPA) Program is currently jointly managed by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
On 1 April 2026, the IPA Program will transition from joint management by the NIAA and DCCEEW, to sole management by DCCEEW.
This change is administrative and there will be no change to the continuity of the IPA Program, to activities being conducted on IPAs, nor to funding levels. The change will make the program easier to navigate for providers by streamlining engagement and decision-making, supporting clearer accountability and reducing duplication.
Up until 1 April 2026, the IPA Program will continue to operate as usual. NIAA and DCCEEW will continue working closely together to ensure continuity for IPA organisations and to implement service delivery arrangements effectively.
Both DCCEEW and NIAA are committed to minimising disruption and maintaining stability for IPA organisations throughout this period of transition. Our focus is not only on continuity, but on delivering simpler and clearer processes for organisations working on Country.
The Indigenous Rangers Program (IRP) is not affected. Management of the IRP will remain with the NIAA.
NIAA and DCCEEW will continue working together closely beyond 1 April 2026 to ensure strong ongoing coordination between the IPA Program and the IRP.
Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians, and the Hon Murray Watt MP, Minister for the Environment, acknowledge the strong progress of the IPA network. They thank Traditional Owners for their leadership and ongoing work.
Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy was quoted saying, “IPAs demonstrate what can be achieved when Traditional Owners lead caring for Country. The Australian Government remains committed to supporting the continued growth of the IPA Program.
Ministerial responsibility for the IPA program will transfer to Minister Watt. Minister McCarthy will continue to take a close interest in the program’s future.”
About the Indigenous Protected Areas Program
IPAs are areas of land and sea country managed by First Nations people in accordance with Traditional Owners’ objectives, using the protected area categories outlined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The IPA Program has been supporting First Nations communities to voluntarily dedicate and manage their land as protected areas since 1997, delivering cultural heritage management and biodiversity conservation outcomes for the benefit of all Australians.
In addition to the direct employment outcomes, the IPA Program directly addresses Closing the Gap priorities by supporting empowerment of First Nations people to plan for the future, maintain unique cultural connections to land and sea and leverage broader socio-economic benefits for communities.
IPAs provide a framework for First Nations communities to combine traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary management tools to manage their land and sea Country, leverage partnerships with conservation and commercial organisations and provide employment, education and training opportunities for First Nations people.
Some terrestrial areas of IPAs are recognised as part of Australia’s National Reserve System, with most IPAs dedicated as IUCN Categories 5 and 6, which promote a balance between conservation and other sustainable uses to deliver social, cultural and economic benefits for Indigenous communities.
The NIAA administered Indigenous Rangers Program (IRP) and the IPA programs are delivered collaboratively, with approximately 85% of Australia’s dedicated IPAs having management plans implemented with the support of Indigenous rangers.
Next phase of the Indigenous Protected Areas Program
For further information on the Indigenous Protected Areas Program, including the current funding round, please see the DCCEEW IPA Program webpage.
You can get in touch through the below contacts.
NIAA Enquiries
For National Office (Canberra) switchboard: 02 6271 5111.
Contact a NIAA Regional Office toll-free: 1800 079 098. This toll-free number will automatically connect you to the nearest NIAA regional office from the location you are calling.
DCCEEW Enquiries
For more information about the IPA program:
Email: IPA@dcceew.gov.au
Phone: 1800 920 528 – this phone number is for our Contact Centre who will connect you with the relevant team.
Evaluation of the IPA Program
The NIAA engaged the services of Ninti One Limited, who partnered with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and James Cook University to design and carry out an independent evaluation of the IPA Program.
The evaluation assessed the extent to which program objectives and associated environmental, cultural, social and economic outcomes are being achieved.
The evaluation was conducted in two phases:
- In Phase 1 - Ninti One carried out a desktop review of existing information to guide the collection of new data during Phase 2.
- In Phase 2 - Ninti One collected new data including direct engagement with IPA managers through site visits to 10 IPAs.
Ninti One analysed data from Phase 1 and Phase 2 to produce an evaluation report.
A Final Evaluation Report is now available, as well as a Community Report which presents a brief summary of the Final Evaluation Report.
The NIAA would like to thank IPA provider organisations for taking time to engage with the evaluation process.
Resources
