Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• First Nations media organisations and individuals producing arts or cultural content (radio, television, podcasting or community-based projects)
• First Nations organisations and individuals working in First Nations storytelling, language recording, or cultural documentation
• First Nations organisations and individuals focused on collaboration, technical training, cultural projects, or educational resources.

Who can’t apply

Ineligible applicants include:

• non-First Nations media organisations and individuals
• non-First Nations Individuals, organisations, based outside of Australia
• projects with a commercial focus (e.g., advertising or self-promotion).

Successful applicants will receive funding and support for:

• studio recording, technical enhancement, and skills building
• documenting language, traditional practices, and community stories
• strategies to engage broader communities and grow First Nations audiences
• access to expert-led training to ensure sustainable community impact.

Eligible projects include:

• Language and Cultural Preservation
  • documenting First Nations languages, oral histories, cultural practice and traditions
• Non-Commercial Broadcasting
  • radio or television projects focused on First Nations storytelling
• Skills Development
  • training programs in areas like audio engineering or media production
• Story and Legacy Documentation
  • capturing historical stories or culturally significant practices
• Community Engagement Initiatives
  • projects promoting inter-generational knowledge transfer, cultural exchange and audience interaction.

Applicants can apply for funding to support a range of projects that align with the program’s goals of cultural preservation, skills development, and storytelling. The following project categories are eligible:

Language and Cultural Preservation

• recording oral histories, traditional songs, and Indigenous languages
• documenting ceremonies, cultural practices, or significant events
• creating digital archives or educational tools for preserving cultural knowledge

Broadcast and Media Projects

• developing radio or television programs featuring First Nations music, interviews, or storytelling
• producing podcasts focused on First Nations, storytelling, histories, or cultural narratives
• supporting community-focused media initiatives that amplify First Nations voices

Skills Development

• training in audio engineering, media production, or broadcasting techniques
• programs that build technical capacity within First Nations communities

Story and Legacy Documentation

• capturing historical or contemporary stories through photography, video, or interactive media
• creating multimedia projects, such as virtual reality experiences or digital timelines, to share and preserve cultural heritage

Community Engagement Initiatives

• projects that promote cultural exchange, dialogue, and audience interaction
• initiatives that encourage broader participation and understanding of First Nations cultures

All projects must demonstrate cultural sensitivity and adhere to First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) Protocols, ensuring respectful collaboration and safeguarding of cultural materials.

All projects must adhere to First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) Protocols to ensure cultural respect and protection. Evidence of adherence must be included in applications, particularly for sensitive content. Detailed information about ICIP can be found  here.

First Nations Industry advisors will assess applications against the following criteria and advise Creative Australia on which projects to prioritise. Your application will be assessed against the published criteria. The bullet points under each criterion indicate what industry advisors may consider, where relevant. Applicants do not need to address every bullet point.

1. Quality

Industry advisors will assess the quality of the artistic and/or cultural value of your proposed project.

They may consider:

• the cultural significance and authenticity of the content being produced
• the creativity, originality, or ambition of the project
• how the project aligns with First Nations storytelling, cultural preservation, or artistic expression
• examples of previous work that demonstrate the applicant’s capability in culturally relevant or arts-focused projects.

2. Viability

Industry advisors will assess the viability of your project with consideration to planning, protocols, and budget.

They may consider:

• the relevance and timeliness of the proposed activity for the community or audience
• the skills and experience of the applicant and collaborators to deliver the project
• evidence of realistic and achievable planning, resource use, and adherence to First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protocols
• the feasibility of the project’s budget and timeline
• the applicant’s previous experience delivering projects of similar size and scope.

3. Impact

Industry advisors will assess the expected impact or outcome of your project on the community, audience, and cultural preservation efforts.

They may consider:

• the cultural, artistic, and/or social benefits for First Nations communities or audiences
• the project’s contribution to preserving language, traditional practices, stories, or cultural knowledge for future generations
• how the project fosters skills development or capacity building within First Nations communities
• the potential of the project to engage and inspire audiences, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous
• how the project supports ethical, inclusive, and accessible practices.

You should submit support material with your application. The Industry Advisory Panel may review this support material to help them gain a better sense of your activity and arts practice.

Evidence of adherence to First Nations Indigenous Culture and Intellectual Property

We do not accept application-related support material submitted via post. Application-related material received by post will not be assessed and will be returned to the sender.

If you think you will have difficulty submitting your support material online or need advice on what type of material to submit, please contact Joseph Clarke, Project Manager, First Nations Arts and Culture.

There are three types of support material you may submit:

• artistic support material
• biographies and CVs
• letters of support.

Artistic support material

This should include relevant, recent examples of your artistic or cultural work.

Types of support material we accept

Our preferred method of receiving support material is via URLs (weblinks).

You can provide up to three URLs (weblinks) that link to content that is relevant to your project activity. This may include video, audio, images, or written material.

These URLs can include a total of:

• 10 minutes of video and/or audio recording
• 10 images
• 10 pages of written material.

Please note: The Advisory Panel will not access any URLs that require them to log in or sign up to a platform. Please do not provide links to Spotify or other applications that require users to log in or pay for access. If you are linking to media files that are private or password protected like Vimeo, please provide the password in the password field on the application form.

Other accepted file formats

If you cannot supply support material via URLs, you may upload support material to your application in the following formats:

• video (MP4, QuickTime, and Windows Media)
• audio (MP3 and Windows Media)
• images (JPEG and PowerPoint)
• written material (Word and PDF).

Biographies and CVs

You can include your current brief bio or curriculum vitae (CV) that is relevant to your application.

Please note: Brief bios or CV information should be presented as a single document no longer than two A4 pages in total.

Letters of support

Organisations and individuals can write letters in support of your project. A support letter should explain how the project or activity will benefit you, other artists or arts professionals, participants or the broader community. It can also detail the support or involvement of key project partners, or evidence of consultation.

Letters of support must provide evidence of appropriate permissions and support from First Nations organisations, individuals, cultural authorities, communities, and Elders. Please refer to the First Nations Protocols for more information.

You can include up to five letters of support, with each letter not exceeding one A4 page.

Opportunities to:

• produce high-quality media content
• expand audience engagement.
• strengthen technical skills
• preserve cultural heritage.

1. Cultural and Artistic Merit
2. Audience and Market Potential
3. Viability and Capacity Building.

Language and Cultural Preservation:

• audio: Oral histories, traditional songs, language lessons
• video: Documentaries of ceremonies or cultural practices
• digital archives: Apps or web platforms for teaching and preserving Indigenous languages.

Broadcast Projects

• radio: Programs featuring Indigenous music, interviews, or language learning
• television: Documentaries or community-focused storytelling
• podcasts: Series on First Nations, stories, history, or culture.

Story and Legacy Documentation

• photography: Cultural site documentation (with consent)
• interactive Media: VR experiences or digital timelines.

All activities and projects must occur within the 12-month period from 1 May 2025 to 1 May 2026. Projects outside this timeframe are ineligible. 

Applications open on 17 December 2024 and close on 4 February 2025. 

Applicants must provide evidence of consultation, collaboration, and consent from relevant First Nations communities, especially for sensitive cultural content. 

No, projects must be completed within the designated timeframe from 1 May 2025 to 1 May 2026.