New Indigenous Protected Areas

The Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) program supports First Nations people to voluntarily dedicate and manage their land, or land and sea Country, for biodiversity conservation and the protection of cultural values.

The Australian Government has committed to expand the Indigenous Protected Areas Program as part of the $250 million Australian Bushland Program (ABP) budget measure, announced in March 2025. The ABP supports implementation of the National 30 by 30 Roadmap, to protect and conserve 30% of Australia’s land by 2030.

Funding will be available over 2 years to 30 June 2028 to establish at least 8 new IPA consultation projects. It is expected that the new IPA round will open in early 2026 as a competitive round and be restricted to Indigenous organisations.

Applicants may wish to commence preparation of key supporting documents, including letters of support from relevant Prescribed Bodies Corporate or other Traditional Owners, and key stakeholders who you know have rights and interests in the area of the proposed IPA.

Information sessions will be available when the round opens.

Grant Opportunity Guidelines and other supporting documents will be published when the grant opportunity is open for applications.