Program objective
Project objectives/targeted outcome 1
Delivering tailored, culturally safe and ACCO led health and wellbeing services that assist Aboriginal people in custody in addressing the underlying factors contributing to offending behaviour. Detail:
- Client’s case plans incorporate culturally appropriate referral pathways for clients re-integrating back into community.
- Strengthened relationship between Community Corrections and their local ACCO’s.
Project objectives/targeted outcome 2
Resourcing the ACCO sector to increase the availability of Aboriginal delivered post-release, transitional and supported accommodation and cultural mentoring services for Aboriginal adults leaving custody.
Detail:
- ACCO’s have programs and services available for clients to address their holistic care.
Project objectives/targeted outcome 3
Strengthening the opportunities for Aboriginal people, organisations and communities to practice self-determination in determining the solutions to reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system.
Detail:
- ACCOs submit their application for the grant by outlining their project plan based on community needs.
Project objectives/targeted outcome 4
Increase co-design and collaboration with local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
Detail:
- Improved relationships between CSNSW and ACCO’s in conjunction with improved cultural competence and confidence in CSNSW staff, promotes collaboration in developing purpose-built programs for mutual clients.
Project objectives/targeted outcome 5
Aboriginal parolees have a voice and input in their Risk Mitigation and Case Plan for post release planning.
Detail:
- Aboriginal clients having person centred and culturally responsive case plans.
- Aboriginal clients actively engaging in interventions outlined in case plan steps.
- Aboriginal clients contributing to the development of their case plans and being able to select what services they wish to engage with.
Project objectives/targeted outcome 6
Aboriginal parolees have cultural programs/activities in their case plan to promote self-determination identity and belonging for connection to Family, Community & Culture
Detail:
- Community Corrections improving the way they engage and provide services to Aboriginal people in their care.
Project objectives/targeted outcome 7
Aboriginal parolees are empowered by local Aboriginal mentors to build connection and well-being for successful reintegration back into Family & Community.
Detail:
- Aboriginal parolees are supported by Aboriginal mentors after successful completion of their parole orders.
- Aboriginal parolees are connected to cultural activities and events in community to promote a sense of identity, belonging, connection and pride.
Project objectives/targeted outcome 8
Reduce re-offending and increase successful completions of parole for Aboriginal people in our care.
Detail:
- Qualitative and quantitative data reflects improvement in the number of Aboriginal parolees successfully completing their parole period.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible to apply for the grant program you must be:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control is an act of self-determination. Under this Agreement, an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisation delivers services, including land and resource management that builds the strength and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people and is:
- incorporated under relevant legislation and not-for-profit
- controlled and operated by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
- connected to the community, or communities, in which they deliver the services
- governed by a majority Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander governing body.
Please see the link for further information on how DCJ defines and works with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
A not-for-profit Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) includes:
- Indigenous Corporations (must be registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC);
- the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC);
- Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC);
- National Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO),
- an Aboriginal specific organisation or sole provider (at least 50% owned and run)
- Aboriginal business with an ABN and the primary business activity relates to delivering or wanting to deliver services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families in NSW – also noting the project must not be profit making in nature.
- have an Australian Business Number and be registered for GST
Other Eligible organisation types, in a partnership with an Aboriginal organisation
- incorporated organisation registered and approved as not-for-profit body by NSW Fair Trading
- not-for profit company limited by guarantee, registered in NSW (must have ACNC registration and/or DGR status)
- religious organisation operating in NSW
- NSW Local Council operating under the Local Government Act 1993
- NSW non-government organisation established under their own Act of Parliament.
- Other mandatory criteria
Applicants or their partnering organisation must:
- address the NSW National Redress Scheme sanctions.
- not have outstanding acquittals with DCJ.
- be an organisation based in NSW for projects to be carried out in NSW.
- maintain adequate and current insurance cover including, but not limited to Workers Compensation Insurance, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance.
- have public liability insurance of at least $10 million per claim or be willing to purchase it.
Locations that are eligible include
Who the grant is targeted towards
The target group for the HHC‑AEM Grant Program is:
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs)
- For-profit Aboriginal businesses.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Eligible projects may include activities that:
- Provide Aboriginal Elders or mentors to support Aboriginal people on parole or post‑release.
- Deliver culturally appropriate health, wellbeing, healing or mentoring programs.
- Support post‑release transition, reintegration and connection to family, community and culture.
- Strengthen Aboriginal voice and self‑determination in case planning and service design.
- Improve collaboration between Corrective Services NSW and local A.C.C.O's.
- Incorporate cultural programs or activities that promote identity, belonging and wellbeing.
- Demonstrate clear outcomes linked to successful parole completion and reduced re‑offending.
Projects must:
- Align with at least one of the program’s stated objectives and outcomes.
- Be delivered within 12 months and within the approved budget.
- Use funding only for project‑related costs (not business‑as‑usual or profit‑making activities).
- Be delivered in NSW and benefit Aboriginal adults involved in the criminal justice system.
When the project can start and end
Awarded recipients must deliver their funded activities within the fixed program delivery window outlined in the Grant Guidelines:
- Project start: 1 June 2026
- Project end: 30 June 2027
The project start date must be after 01/06/2026 and the project end date must be before 30/06/2027.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
What costs you can apply for
Grant funding may only be used for expenses directly related to delivering the approved project and must be clearly outlined in the project budget.
Eligible costs can include:
- Program delivery expenses directly linked to the funded activity.
- Resources and materials required to effectively facilitate the program.
- Minor equipment or supplies needed for service delivery (within reasonable limits).
- Transport costs for participants or mentors to attend program activities.
- Venue or facility hire associated with running project activities.
- Communication costs such as phone credit or internet access needed for delivery.
- Short‑term or temporary personnel costs, such as tutors, instructors or facilitators engaged specifically for the project.
Funding must be:
- Spent within the approved project period.
- Used solely for the purpose of the grant.
- Demonstrated as value for money and proportionate to project outcomes.
Who can’t apply
What costs you can’t apply for
Grant funding cannot be used for:
- Permanent salaries or ongoing staffing costs.
- Capital works or building works.
- Permanent equipment purchases (e.g. computers, furniture).
- Business‑as‑usual or general operating expenses.
- Debt, deficits, profit‑making or commercial activities.
- Alcohol, gambling or NSW Government‑run programs.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Example projects
Cultural mentoring programs, healing programs, Aboriginal‑led reintegration support programs, post‑release community and cultural connection projects, trauma‑informed wellbeing programs, and projects that support participation in parole or case planning.
What co-contributions are required
Additional eligibility requirements
Mandatory Criteria, you must also:
- maintain adequate and current insurance cover including, but not limited to; Workers Compensation Insurance, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, and a minimum of $10 million Public Liability Insurance
- address the NSW National Redress Scheme sanctions
- not have outstanding acquittals with DCJ
- be an organisation based in NSW for project to be carried out in NSW
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
- Valid ABN.
- Confirmed NSW-based eligible legal entity (e.g., ACCO, incorporated NFP, Indigenous corporation, local government body, for‑profit Aboriginal business).
- Required insurance certificates, including minimum $10 million Public Liability Insurance.
- Documentation confirming ACCO status (if applying as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation).
- Project Plan including Milestones/Deliverables, Risk Management, Outcomes etc.
- Budget
- Accurate contact details for the organisation.
- Bank account details and authorised verification signatories.
Confirmation that the applicant/organisation:
- Has no overdue acquittals with DCJ.
- Meets National Redress Scheme requirements.
- Is able to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement with DCJ.
Please see application checklist (DOCX, 17.9 KB).
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
Start the application
- Submit application via SmartyGrants All applications must be lodged through the SmartyGrants portal and include all required documentation.
- Eligibility Review
- Merit Assessment
- Recommendation Panel Review
- Final Approval - The Minister or Delegated officer (final decision‑maker) considers recommendations and approves successful applications.
- Notification Applicants are formally notified of outcomes.
- Funding Agreement & Project Start Successful applicants enter into a Grant Funding Agreement and begin funded activities from the commencement date.
