Indigenous Heritage Program (IHP)

Overview / Purpose

The Indigenous Heritage Program (IHP) supports projects which aim to identify, conserve or promote the Indigenous heritage value of places which have outstanding heritage value to Australia.

Individual project funding for organisations will generally be available up to a maximum of $100,000 (GST inclusive). Individual applicants will generally be eligible for funding up to $5000. Applications for more than these amounts may be considered where the applicant demonstrates special circumstances or a genuine requirement for additional funds.

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Who can apply

To be eligible applicants must be either:
- A legally incorporated Indigenous organisation.
- A not-for-profit body that is legally incorporated in Australia.
- A Traditional Owner of the subject Indigenous heritage place.
- An individual (who is an Australian citizen), acting on behalf of the Traditional Owners or with the approval and support of the Traditional Owners.
- A local government authority (however, works that would be considered part of the local government’s normal responsibility, eg maintenance of Council buildings, access roads etc will be considered ineligible).

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Eligible Activities

The IHP will provide grants for projects which:
- Conserve Indigenous heritage places.
- Identify Indigenous heritage places.
- Undertake planning for Indigenous heritage places.
- Interpret or explain Indigenous heritage places.
- Construct keeping places to house remains and/or objects that require restricted access.

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Restrictions

The following is not eligible to be funded:
- Maintenance: Undertake protective care of a place through routine actions and/or activities so that the Indigenous heritage values of a place are not degraded beyond that of the present situation.
- Preservation: Maintain the Indigenous heritage values of a place in its existing state by slowing any processes which could contribute to deterioration.
- Restoration: Improve the Indigenous heritage values of a place by undertaking specific actions or activities to return them to a known past or original state. This process may include repairing damage or removing threatening processes and generally involves the introduction of material (old or new).
- Renewal: Any action which renews or revitalises the cultural significance of a place. This can include both physical changes to a place and non-physical activities which revitalise the significance of a place.
- Adaptation: Retain the heritage values of a place, whilst modifying the fabric of a place to suit a different, but compatible, future use.

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