800 new jobs for expanded Ranger program

The National Indigenous Australians Agency has opened Round 2 of the Indigenous Rangers Program, which will create more than 800 new Indigenous Ranger jobs across the country with $165 million in funding through to June 2028.

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

“Expanding the Indigenous Rangers Program means more jobs for First Nations people caring for Country,” Senator McCarthy said.

“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.”

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 National Indigenous Australians Agency has opened Round 2 of the Indigenous Rangers Program, which 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.

Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said one of the great experiences of her job was to visit Indigenous protected areas around Australia to 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,” she said.

Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour said: “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.”