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Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages)
Program Guidelines
Contact details
If you have any questions regarding the Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream, please:
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visit: www.arts.gov.au/indigenous
email: indigenouslanguages@arts.gov.au, or
phone: 1800 006 992
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Part 1: General Information
1. Context
The Ministry for the Arts administers Australian Government programs and policies that encourage
excellence in art, support cultural heritage and provide access to arts and culture. This enables artists and
organisations to shape Australia’s cultural landscape, increase cultural diversity, and inspire, educate and
entertain audiences nationally and internationally.
We provide targeted funding to support Indigenous art and languages. This results in outcomes that align
closely with the Australian Government’s priorities of improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples.
Our Indigenous programs promote the sharing of language and culture between generations and the
ongoing viability of Indigenous-owned enterprises. They enrich the social, cultural and economic life of
Indigenous communities and provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to
generate income, gain employment and develop professional skills, while maintaining a continued
connection to country and culture.
2. We have made some changes
We have consolidated the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS), Indigenous Culture Support
(ICS), Indigenous Languages Support (ILS) and the Indigenous Employment Initiative (IEI), into two
programs:
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Indigenous Languages and Arts Program
Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Program.
In 2015–16, the Australian Government will provide approximately $40 million through the Indigenous
Languages and Arts and Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Programs.
3. Indigenous Languages and Arts Program
Language and art are essential to the wellbeing, culture and identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples and play an integral role in maintaining the sustainability, vitality and strength of
Indigenous communities.
The Indigenous Languages and Arts Program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to
keep cultural identity strong by providing funding to:
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revive and maintain Australia’s Indigenous languages
support communities to deliver diverse arts projects that showcase, protect and encourage
participation in traditional and contemporary Indigenous artistic expression.
In 2015–16, the Australian Government will provide approximately $22 million through the Indigenous
Languages and Arts Program.
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The Indigenous Languages and Arts Program is delivered through two affiliated funding streams:
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Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages)
The Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream provides operational funding to
organisations that support the revival and maintenance of Indigenous languages. This funding will
include support for language centres and other service organisations to conduct language
activities, and to provide employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
language workers in funded organisations.
Indigenous Languages and Arts (Projects)
The Indigenous Languages and Arts (Projects) stream provides funding of up to $100,000 (GST
exclusive) per project per year for the development, production, presentation, exhibition or
performance of Indigenous arts projects that showcase Australia’s traditional and contemporary
Indigenous cultural and artistic expressions, increase audience engagement with Indigenous arts
and contribute to a strong sense of cultural identity and pride.
3.1 What is new in the Indigenous Languages and Arts Program?
In summary from 2015–16 the Indigenous Languages and Arts Program will:
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continue to provide operational funds to Indigenous language centres and other organisations
involved in the revival or maintenance of Indigenous languages
provide funding for Indigenous language centres and other organisations to employ Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander language workers
provide funding to support Indigenous arts projects that maintain and continue to develop
Indigenous artistic and cultural expression at the community level
be delivered through one funding agreement to reduce reporting and enable recipient
organisations to liaise with one program management team in the Ministry for the Arts
primarily deliver Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream funding through a direct offer
of funding process where we will directly approach an existing grant funding recipient to continue
or expand their current language activities and/or undertake new language activities. In these
cases, we will assess the grant funding recipient’s current performance and capacity to deliver an
expanded service, or capability to deliver a new activity
deliver Indigenous Languages and Arts (Projects) stream through an open competitive grants
round.
3.2 What does this mean for your organisation?
If you received Indigenous Languages Support or Indigenous Employment Initiative funding to employ
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language workers in 2014-15, you may be eligible for Indigenous
Languages and Arts (Languages) stream funding in 2015-16 through a direct offer of funding process.
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Part 2: Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages)
4. Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages)
Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream funding assists the revival and maintenance of
Australia’s Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) languages. Funding aims to address the
erosion and loss of Indigenous languages by supporting community based activities by language groups,
language research, and the development and coordination of language resources.
4.1 Objectives
The Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream objectives are to:
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empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to revive and maintain their languages
support the revival and maintenance of Indigenous languages
increase the number of proficient speakers of Indigenous languages
support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ engagement with their languages
support the preservation of Indigenous languages and language material
promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ wellbeing by strengthening pride in identity
and culture through languages
support skill development and best practice methods among people involved in the revival and
maintenance of Indigenous languages
increase the use of Indigenous languages in a range of fields and media
promote public appreciation of Indigenous languages.
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4.2 Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream funding through the direct offer
funding process you must:
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have received Indigenous Languages Support or Indigenous Employment Initiative funding to
employ Indigenous language workers in 2014-15
have a demonstrated history of good governance, good financial management over an extended
period, effective business planning and high-quality performance against funding objectives
be a separate legal entity such as an incorporated association or a company
have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
be registered for the Goods and Services Tax (GST), if required by the Australian Tax Office
have no outstanding reports, acquittals or serious breaches relating to any Australian
Government funding. A serious breach is one that has resulted in, or warrants, termination of a
funding agreement.
Your eligibility will be determined by the Ministry for the Arts. We will review your funding history with
us, including your performance against funding objectives, and your financial and performance reporting
history.
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Where applicable, funding recipients are encouraged to register under the Corporations (Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006. For further information, contact the Office for the Registrar of
Indigenous Corporations, or visit: www.oric.gov.au
These eligibility criteria are subject to change, based on Australian Government policy. Funding recipients
will be advised of any changes to the Indigenous Languages and Arts Program.
4.3 What we will fund
Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream funding is available for activities where the purpose is
the revival or maintenance of Indigenous languages including:
• documenting and recording of Indigenous languages
• language research, for example, a consultant may be engaged to research historical
documentation on a particular Indigenous language
• developing language resources, for example, dictionaries and language databases
• activities designed to increase or maintain the number of proficient speakers of Indigenous
languages
• assisting the development and delivery of programs through Indigenous language centres
• innovative activities using multimedia and new technologies
• employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in roles such as language workers and
language centre coordinators
• engagement of a qualified linguist(s) to assist Indigenous language groups with the revival or
maintenance of their language(s)
• activities designed to revive, maintain or promote Indigenous languages in the wider community.
4.4 What we will not fund
Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream funding is not available for:
• activities with a primarily commercial focus or intent
• international travel
• interpreting and translating services.
Funding is also not available for activities that:
• have already occurred, or to produce resources that have previously been developed
• are to be undertaken by an individual
• are the responsibility of other Australian Government programs,
• are part of the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC)
celebrations
• occur outside Australia
• are the core business of schools, for example, teacher salaries, curriculum or resource
development that have been developed exclusively for use in schools
• include re-granting of funds to other groups or organisations without prior approval from the
Ministry for the Arts.
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4.5 Indigenous Languages Centres
Indigenous Languages Centres provide for the revival or maintenance of one or more Indigenous
language through the coordination of local or regional language activities, development of language
resources, including learning resources, language research, strategies to increase the number of
proficient speakers, language documentation, production of dictionaries and databases, training
community based language workers, conducting community workshops, maintaining collections of
language materials, acting as a central repository for resources and language data, and the establishment
and maintenance of partnerships with Indigenous communities and other key organisations, such as local
schools.
Language centres are governed by Indigenous representatives from the language groups within their
region and promote Indigenous decision-making, employment and capacity building. Language centres
usually engage at least one qualified linguist (on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the language
activities being carried out) and an Indigenous Co-ordinator.
4.6 Community Language Teams
Community Language Teams (CLTs) are networks of Indigenous people who volunteer to assist the
revival or maintenance of Indigenous languages within their community. They provide the opportunity
for local Indigenous people to make decisions about their languages and run projects that support them.
CLTs work in partnership with other groups interested in undertaking language revival or maintenance
activities, such as Language centres, to coordinate local language projects, and assist in the creation of
ideas and resources. CLTs will usually include Indigenous Elders, who typically might have more
knowledge of a language, and other Indigenous people that can learn from Elders, take responsibility for
administration and be part of the teaching, care and production of resources on the local language.
4.7 Framework to guide the planning, implementation and review of language projects
We are developing a Framework to guide the planning, implementation and review of language projects
funded through the Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream (the Framework).
All Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream funding recipients, in particular, Indigenous
Language centres, will be required to use the Framework in the planning, implementation and review of
their language activities.
You will also be required to use the Framework to develop a Language Revival Plan or a Language
Maintenance Plan (depending on the type of language project), for each of the languages being targeted.
The Framework will be accessed from the Ministry for the Art’s website www.arts.gov.au/indigenous.
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5. Allocation of funding for Indigenous Languages and Arts
(Languages) stream
All funding decisions regarding the Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream will be made by
the Minister for the Arts or the Minister’s authorised delegate.
5.1 Direct Offer of funding
From 2015-16, Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream funding will primarily be provided
through a direct offer of funding to eligible organisations on either an annual or multi-year basis.
Annual Funding
Annual funding provides funding over a one-year period and supports organisations that are:
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developing and have not yet established a track record of high-quality achievement against funding
objectives or good financial management over an extended period
undergoing a period of organisational transition
seeking support for a once only activity or single project
established organisations that are not seeking, or do not meet the requirements for multi-year
funding.
Organisations on annual funding may have their funding extended on the basis of:
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high-quality achievement against funding objectives and good financial management
the provision of a work plan and budget, language revival or maintenance plan and other
documents as requested by the Ministry for the Arts.
Multi-year funding
Multi-year funding will provide fixed funding for up to four-years and supports organisations that have
demonstrated:
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a history of high-quality performance against funding objectives and good financial management
over an extended period
administrative stability.
Organisations that have not previously received funding from the Ministry for the Arts are not eligible for
multi-year funding.
5.2 One-off or Special Purpose Grants
On occasions, we may also provide one-off or special purpose grants that are designed to meet a specific
policy outcome, or an urgent or specialised requirement. Funding proposals for one-off or special
purpose grants may be submitted at any time and will be assessed individually against the Indigenous
Languages and Arts (Languages) stream guidelines and with consideration to the available budget.
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Organisations that receive funding through the Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream, may
also be eligible to apply for funding through the Indigenous Languages and Arts (Projects) competitive
funding round.
6. Direct Offer of funding process
6.1 We will:
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contact eligible organisations that have previously received Indigenous Languages Support or
Indigenous Employment Initiative funding to employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language
workers in 2014-15 and invite them to submit a Funding Package Request Form for the 2015-16
financial year
conduct negotiations with organisations, following receipt of the Funding Package Request Form
determine the duration of Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream funding agreements
based on organisations past performance and administrative stability
make funding recommendations to the Minister for the Arts, or the Minister’s delegate, who will
make a final funding decision.
We are committed to providing stability for funded organisations where possible. Therefore, a high
proportion of Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream funding will be committed through
multi-year funding agreements.
Value with public money
In assessing Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream Funding Package Request Forms and
funding proposals for one-off or special purpose grants, consideration will be given to whether the
proposal provides value for public money. This will take into account the likely benefits of the activity and
the extent to which it meets the Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream objectives relative to
the level of proposed funding.
Allocation of funding
The Minister for the Arts or the Minister’s authorised delegate may approve less funding than
requested in a Funding Package Request Form, or approve an activity in part. If this occurs, the
Ministry for the Arts will work with the relevant organisation to revise the activity objectives and
budget.
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Part 3: Funding arrangements
7. Funding conditions
7.1 Funding agreement
You will be required to enter into a funding agreement with the Australian Government. The funding
agreement will set out the nature of the relationship between your organisation and the Australian
Government.
7.2 Payments
The funding agreement will include an agreed payment schedule. This will usually be on a six-monthly
basis. The first milestone payment will be processed once we sign the funding agreement, and once you
provide us with your organisation’s bank details.
We must receive and accept reports, plans and budgets as set out in the funding agreement before
subsequent milestone payments will be made. Payments will not be processed where the recipient has a
breach or overdue acquittal relating to previous funding.
7.3 Employment
When negotiating working arrangements, employees and employers have rights and obligations under
the Australian Government’s national workplace relations system.
The National Employment Standards (NES) are minimum standards that cannot be overridden by the
terms of enterprise agreements or Awards. The NES set out 10 minimum standards of employment which
apply to all employees in the national system, regardless of any industrial instrument or contract of
employment.
The NES can be found here: www.fairwork.gov.au/employee-entitlements/national-employmentstandards.
7.4 Value for Money
We will consider whether each grant application represents value for money and will look at expected
results, funding requested and the contribution the applicant organisation will make.
You must contribute to achieving value with public money by:
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considering how best to deliver the grant funding strategy to target groups or individuals. This may
involve using existing processes and technologies or professional standards, or it may involve
innovation and performance improvement by the provider or agency staff
having in place an effective risk management approach that will minimise risk and ensure that the
grant funding is achieving the outcomes, objectives and performance indicators
ongoing monitoring and management of the grant as appropriate. This may involve the effective
use of organisational processes, procedures and systems to produce the required reporting
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information, or it may involve adjusting activities to ensure they are meeting the objectives and
performance indicators
contributing to Government priorities through collaborative delivery of grant funding strategies
participating in evaluations of Grant Funding.
7.5 Evaluation
We will assess the performance of your project to ensure it is achieving its stated outcomes. In evaluating
your performance we may ask you to nominate one or more key outcome indicators, against which you
will be assessed over the course of the project. In addition we may source a range of data and
information on outcomes to inform our judgment. Where projects are not delivering outcomes, we may
consider reducing or redirecting grant funding, or ceasing the grant funding.
8. Terms and conditions of funding
8.1 Reporting requirements
Reporting on Australian Government-funded activities ensures that funding is used for the intended
purpose and that the Government can fully account for all funds. You will be required to provide reports,
plans and budgets to us, as specified in the funding agreement, including a budget and reports on the
progress of the activity against both the agreed objectives and the approved budget.
You may also be required to provide information to us for inclusion in government publications and on
government websites including the Ministry for the Arts website.
8.2 Acquittal and evaluation
At the end of the funding period, you will be required to acquit all funding. This may include statutory
declarations, independently audited financial statements or other financial information, as outlined in
the funding agreement. The acquittal is normally required within 60 business days of the conclusion of
the activity. You will be provided with templates as needed.
You may also be required to provide information about your activity to inform our evaluation of the
program.
8.3 Acknowledgement of funding
You will be required to acknowledge the Australian Government’s support for any activities that have
been made possible as a result of Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream funding through
use of the Indigenous Languages and Arts (Languages) stream logo and/or the below text on relevant
material, including but not limited to websites, promotional materials, exhibition invitations and
exhibition signage:
Supported by the Australian Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts program (Languages) stream.
Program logos can be found at www.arts.gov.au/indigenous/logos.
8.4 Record keeping
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You must keep relevant records that demonstrate the performance of the activity in meeting its
objectives and performance indicators.
8.5 Variations
Variations to approved activities, or significant variations to approved budgets, require prior written
approval from the Ministry for the Arts.
8.6 Taxation
Depending on your organisation’s circumstances, there may be tax consequences arising from receiving
your Australian Government funding. You should be aware that, unless exempt from income tax, funding
provided under this program is included as assessable income in relation to carrying on a business. You
may also be required to pay fringe benefits tax and make superannuation contributions to a complying
fund or pay the superannuation guarantee charge to the Australian Tax Office in respect of any
employees.
You should seek advice about tax consequences (including income tax and GST) of this grant from your
financial adviser or the Australian Tax Office at www.ato.gov.au or by calling 13 28 66.
8.7 Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest arises where a person makes a decision or exercises a power in a way that may be,
or may be perceived to be, influenced by either material personal interests (financial or non-financial) or
material personal associations.
Where there is a potential conflict of interest associated with a funded activity, you must disclose this to
us and provide a statement outlining how the conflict will be managed. You must undertake activities in a
way that avoids conflict of interest, whether perceived or actual. This applies particularly to the selection
of suppliers who should be chosen and engaged through an open and competitive process and in a way
that maximises value for money.
The Ministry for the Arts has appropriate internal mechanisms in place for identifying and managing
potential or actual conflicts of interest including requiring staff to sign conflict of interest declarations.
8.8 Privacy
We will collect information about organisations and their proposed activities in order to identify funding
priorities through the Indigenous Languages and Arts Program.
Contact details of successful organisations will be made available to the Minister for the Arts and other
members of parliament.
We are required to publish details of funded activities, including the recipient and the amount of funding
received, on the Attorney-General’s Department website. We may also share aggregated information
with other Australian Government and state and territory government agencies for reporting purposes.
Any personal contact information will be treated as confidential.
If you are awarded funding, under the terms of the funding agreement you will be obliged to meet the
requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 and
the Attorney-General’s Department’s privacy obligations. These principles cover the collection, storage,
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use and disclosure of personal information. Under the principles, you should ensure that any personal
information you may collect and hold is accurate, relevant to the purpose for which it was collected, up
to date and not misleading. In most cases, personal information should not be used or disclosed to
another person, body or agency without the individual’s consent. Individuals have the right to access
their personal information and to complain if they think their personal information has been mishandled.
Information about the Privacy Act 1988 can be found at:
Privacy| Office of the Australian Information Commissioner - OAIC
9. Complaints process
The Ministry regards complaints as a way of both assessing and improving our performance and will
endeavor, where possible, to ensure that complaints are resolved promptly, fairly, confidentially and
satisfactorily and that our procedures are improved as a result.
Complaints regarding the Indigenous Languages and Arts Program should first be made in writing to:
Assistant Secretary, Access and Participation Branch
Attorney-General’s Department
4–6 National Circuit, BARTON ACT 2600
or by email to indigenouslanguages@arts.gov.au
If you believe that the matter has not been resolved satisfactorily, you can then direct your complaint to
the Attorney-General’s Department Compliments and Complaints Officer by:
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Email: complaints@ag.gov.au
Phone: 02 6141 2525
or by mail:
Compliments and Complaints Officer
Attorney-General’s Department
Robert Garran Offices
National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
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