Together on Country Program

Guidelines for applicants

The Together on Country program supports Aboriginal communities in improving waste management and implementing circular economy initiatives. The program is designed to increase the safe disposal of waste, help communities to care for Country, improve living conditions for communities and support the long-term management and safe disposal of waste. 

This grant has a two-step process:

1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
2. If successful, develop the EOI into a project proposal.

Successfully developed and approved proposals will move into the implementation stage.

Total funding available

Up to $150,000 per project.

Together on Country projects must be completed within 18 months of receiving funding. The final Together on Country Program EOI’s will be considered in April 2027 or until funding is exhausted (whichever comes first).

Applicant eligibility

The Together on Country grant is available to all NSW Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs)*.

LALCs who have been successful in a previous Together on Country grant cannot apply again; however, LALCs that were unsuccessful in the first EOI will receive constructive feedback and be encouraged to reapply.

LALCs who have previously received funding under the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) Aboriginal Land Clean-Up and Prevention Program (ALCUP) or the Aboriginal Communities Waste Management Program (ACWMP) are still eligible to apply.

*LALCs currently under Administration are ineligible to apply for grant funding under the program. For further information regarding eligibility, please contact the NSWALC Program Implementation Unit (02) 9689 4444 or via e-mail: [email protected] 

Project eligibility

Eligible projects should contribute to the improvement of waste management practices on Aboriginal community-owned land in NSW. They should address various sources and types of waste and align with the waste management priorities of the community.

EOI’s are open year-round.

Projects need to be completed within 18 months of receiving funding.  

Eligible projects will aim to:

• reduce and enable the safe disposal of waste
• care for Country and improve living conditions
• develop and maintain relationships between Aboriginal communities and project stakeholders on shared priorities connected to waste and materials management
• support Aboriginal communities' participation in the circular economy.

Items that can be funded

• illegal dumping deterrents, including equipment and/or infrastructure
• equipment and/or infrastructure for business-as-usual waste services
• waste clean-up and disposal activities, including waste audits, wages for community members to perform clean-up work or funding to engage specialists to perform removal or remediation works
• training, education, and communication initiatives that relate to waste management within the community
• project investigation and planning
• business partnerships and action to support the circular economy
• other items as agreed by the EPA and NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) where they meet the outcomes of approved project plans
• projects incorporating the removal of dumped asbestos will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Items that cannot be funded

• activities/items not aligned with approved project activities or the program objectives
• vehicles, except for vehicles where the sole use is for waste management activities
• core operational expenses such as rent, electricity, and internet
• contaminated land rehabilitation.

Reporting requirements

Successful applicants will be required to complete project reporting midway through 
the project and at the completion of the project.

Apply for NSW Aboriginal Land Council Together on Country grants