Reef Assist Traditional Owner Grant Program

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Welcome to the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation's (DETSI) online grant application service for the Reef Assist Traditional Owner Grant program.

The Reef Assist Traditional Owner Grant (the program) is a new sub-component under Reef Assist which takes a holistic and inclusive approach to the management and protection of the GBR and its catchments by supporting key actions in the Traditional Owner-led Reef 2050 Traditional Owner Implementation Plan.

The grant program supports Traditional Owner-led and prioritised protection and restoration activities in the GBR catchments while supporting the following work areas listed under the Reef 2050 Traditional Owner Implementation Plan:

• Partnerships and Capacity,
• Knowledge Systems, and
• Land and Coast.

The Reef Assist Traditional Owner Grant program sets out to achieve the following outcomes:

• Increase the capacity and capability of Indigenous businesses to successfully tender for Queensland Government contracts, particularly targeting GBR related initiatives,
• Assist the growth and development of a diverse and sustainable Indigenous business sector in Queensland by increasing the capacity and capability of Indigenous businesses to supply to the Queensland Government and to supply to the private sector through supply chains and increased private sector demand,
• Improve employment outcomes and opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate in the Queensland economy, and
• Build a more skilled and diverse workforce focusing on youth and planning for future success.

The program will support the following Traditional Owner led initiatives:
- Traditional Owners caring for their Land and Country
- Increased training, learning and development opportunities
- Build business and project readiness for Traditional Owner groups
- Traditional Owner led Land, Catchment and Coastal restoration
- Traditional Owner monitoring and reporting to improve current capacity

You are encouraged to put in an application that is as clear and complete as possible, in order to have the best chance of being successful.

You are required to read the Program Guidelines before proceeding with your application. These grants have a Traditional Owner focus; please ensure you are eligible before commencing an application. Applications from non-eligible organisations will not be considered. 

You are strongly encouraged to save every 5 to 10 minutes to reduce the risk of loss of information.

Applications need to be received by 2pm on Monday 30 June 2025.

TECHNICAL ERRORS

If a technical error occurs, staff at SmartyGrants are available and ready to help. Contact them on 03 9320 6888 during business hours or email service@smartygrants.com.au and quote your application number.

PROGRAM QUESTIONS

For queries about the guidelines, deadlines, or questions in the form, please contact Ben Hammill at ben.hammill@des.qld.gov.au.

If you need more help using this form, download the Help Guide for Applicants or check out Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

APPLICATIONS AND GST

Applicants registered for GST will not be provided with funding to account for costs directly associated with GST and are required to provide the GST exclusive amount in their budget. Recipients registered for GST can claim the GST component for any expenditure that they incur back from the Australian Tax Office (ATO).

Where an applicant is not registered for GST, the budget may include the GST as a cost component of the grant.

For advice on GST, please seek assistance from the Australian Tax Office. Please contact the grants program office at csagrants@des.qld.gov.au if you have any questions.

NAVIGATING (MOVING THROUGH) THE APPLICATION FORM

On the left-hand side of every screen, there is a box which links directly to every page of the application. Click the link to jump directly to the page you want.

You can also click 'next page' or 'previous page' on the top or bottom of each page to move forward or backward through the application.

SAVING YOUR DRAFT APPLICATION

If you wish to leave a partially completed application, press 'save' and log out. When you log back in and click on the ‘My applications’ link at the top of the screen, you will find a list of any applications you have started or submitted. You can reopen your draft application and start where you left off.

You can also download any application, whether draft or completed, as a PDF. Click on the ‘Download’ button at the bottom of the application navigation panel.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

You will find a ‘Review’ button at the bottom of the navigation panel. You need to review your application before you can submit it.

Once you have reviewed your application you can submit it by clicking on 'Submit' at the top of the screen or on the navigation panel.  You will not be able to submit your application until all the compulsory questions are completed.

Once you have submitted your application, no further editing or uploading of support materials is possible.

When you submit your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email with a copy of your submitted application attached. This will be sent to the email you used to register.

If you do not receive a confirmation of submission email then your submission has NOT been received. 

COMPLETING AN APPLICATION IN A GROUP/TEAM

A number of people can work on an application using the same log in details as long as only one person is working at a time. Ensure you save as you go.

Please ensure that the person who submits the application is the first point of contact for the application and will be available to respond readily to any questions.  If this person leaves the organisation it is important that they provide someone else in the organisation with their log in and password details.