SENATOR MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY
MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
SENATOR FOR THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

TANYA PLIBERSEK MP
MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

MARION SCRYMGOUR MP
MEMBER FOR LINGIARI


800 NEW JOBS FOR EXPANDED INDIGENOUS RANGERS PROGRAM 

 
The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to double the number of Indigenous Rangers by the end of the decade. 

The National Indigenous Australians Agency has opened Round 2 of the Indigenous Rangers Program: Indigenous Rangers | NIAA. 

The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy today visited the remote community of Ramingining, in North East Arnhem Land, 580 kilometres east of Darwin, to meet with the Arafura Swamp Rangers. 

Arafura Swamp Rangers look after more than 1.2 million hectares of land and sea Country, controlling feral animals and weeds, and reducing destructive wildfires. 

The Arafura Swamp Rangers are part of an expanded national network of Indigenous Rangers supported by the Albanese Labor Government’s $1.3 billion investment. 

In the first expansion round announced last October, more than 1,000 new Indigenous Ranger jobs were created across the country, with an investment of $355 million over four years. 770 of those Indigenous Ranger positions have gone to First Nations women. 

The second round is now open and will create more than 800 new Indigenous Ranger jobs across the country with $165 million in funding through to June 2028. 

For more than 65,000 years, First Nations people have cared for Australia’s land, rivers, seas, flora and fauna. 

Indigenous Rangers continue this legacy today, managing Country according to Traditional Owners’ objectives combined with modern conservation training. 

The Indigenous Rangers expansion contributes to Closing the Gap targets by increasing the proportion of First Nations people in employment and providing training pathways for First Nations youth. 

The Albanese Government’s investment in Indigenous Rangers is building Australia’s future by empowering First Nations people, creating jobs in remote areas, and boosting social, economic and environmental outcomes. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy: 

“Expanding the Indigenous Rangers Program means more jobs for First Nations people caring for Country.

“I’ve travelled across the country and met rangers from Healesville in Victoria, to Maningrida and Ramingining in the Top End and what I see is people who are proud of the work they’re doing.

“I acknowledge the work of all Indigenous Rangers and the care and strength they demonstrate in looking after Country for future generations.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek: 

“We are so lucky in this country to have the world’s most successful environmentalists to learn from.

“One of the great experiences of my job has been visiting Indigenous Protected Areas around Australia and seeing the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rangers up close. There’s no one better placed to care for land and sea than First Nations communities.

“That’s why we’re creating 12 new Indigenous Protected Areas and doubling the number of Indigenous Rangers. We’re adding an area the size of Tasmania to the areas protected – protecting native species, dealing with feral animals and weeds, managing fire risks, and restoring our beautiful Australian landscapes. At the same time, we’re creating jobs and teaching a new generation to care for Country.” 

Quotes attributable to Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour: 

“One of the most important things for First Nations people living in remote communities is being able to train and work right there in their home communities.

“The Indigenous Rangers Program does just that. It provides real jobs with real pay and a training program focussed on the care and protection of our country.

“I’m proud to be part of a government that continues to empower First Nations people by investing in employment and training programs.”