As Aboriginal people are the Traditional Custodians of NSW, we refer to Aboriginal people. The department’s Aboriginal programs and services are available, without question, to Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Program overview

This program aims to increase the number of early childhood services across NSW providing access to Aboriginal languages and to support culturally safe and responsive early childhood education and care (ECEC) in NSW. It provides an opportunity for Aboriginal culture and identity to be nurtured in the earliest stage of formal education across NSW. This recognises the importance of cultural identity and the role it plays in children's development and learning outcomes.

The 2026–29 program builds on the success of an initial Ninganah No More (NNM) program. It also incorporates feedback from current providers, families and other stakeholders from a review of the program. The refreshed program aims to close participation gaps and ensure that early learning services are more responsive to the diverse needs of communities. It places a strong emphasis on cultural inclusivity and accessibility, particularly for Aboriginal children. There is a focus on supporting and measuring the delivery of Aboriginal language and culture within early learning environments.

First Steps Strategy

​The provision of Aboriginal language instruction in ECEC settings is a specific objective of the First Steps Aboriginal Children’s Early Childhood Education Strategy 2026–29. The First Steps Strategy was co-designed with the Aboriginal Advisory Group for Early Childhood Education, now known as Gudjagang Gulgul and places a strong emphasis on Aboriginal family and community engagement, child-centred services and the promotion of Aboriginal culture and identity in early childhood settings.

​A performance measure of that Strategy is increasing the number of ECEC services providing Aboriginal language and culture program, with a goal to ensure that all children in ECEC services have opportunity to learn local Aboriginal languages and culture. This aligns with targets for the Closing the Gap agreement endorsed by NSW, including that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are engaged in high quality, culturally appropriate early childhood education in their early years (Closing the Gap Target 3), and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures and Languages are strong, supported and flourishing (Closing the Gap Target 16).

​Why teaching Aboriginal language is important

​Evidence supports that there are significant benefits for Aboriginal children from learning Aboriginal culture in the area in which they live. The teaching of Aboriginal languages provides an opportunity for Aboriginal culture and identity to be developed and nurtured in the earliest years of education.

​ECEC services that deliver local Aboriginal language and culture programs developed in collaboration with their local Aboriginal communities are generally seen as providing culturally safe and responsive education and care.

​Supporting language teaching in early childhood also supports broader language revitalisation objectives. Language is essential for passing on culture because it’s how people learn about, understand and share important cultural ideas with others and with future generations.

Program objectives

The NNM program has 6 core objectives:

1. Aboriginal language and culture are present in ECEC programs.
2. The number of Aboriginal children learning an Aboriginal language is increased.
3. Aboriginal children remain connected to culture and grow their cultural identity through language.
4. ECEC services establish and maintain connection with their local Aboriginal community.
5. Inclusive learning environments for Aboriginal children.
6. Children in the early years have the opportunity to learn Aboriginal languages.

Key information

Status: Open from Wednesday 3 December 2025 – Friday 20 February 2026.

The Ninganah No More (NNM) program offers open, competitive grants for the 2026–29 funding period as part of a 4-year funding cycle.

Prioritisation will be given to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO) providing ECEC services, provided they meet the eligibility criteria; applications will still be assessed alongside all other applicants.

Note: ACCOs are eligible to apply to deliver the NNM program in any location within NSW.

Information sessions

To provide support to applicants, we will be holding 2 online information sessions during the application period on the Ninganah No More program. These will be held on the following dates:

Information session 1: Wednesday 17 December 2025, 2–3 pm

Information session 2: Wednesday 28 January 2026, 11 am–12 pm

Please register using your name, preferred session and email address at aboriginalprogramseced@det.nsw.edu.au.

Funding for NNM is under the expanded First Steps Strategy and future rounds will be subject to budget availability.

Eligibility criteria

​​Applications for NNM must be from:

• ​Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) providing ECEC services or
• ​an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisation (for example, Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) registration, documentation showing 51% Aboriginal ownership, or any other relevant documentation) providing ECEC services or
• ​an organisation that is a recognised ECEC service provider under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (National Law) (for children aged 0–5 years).

​Organisations must also meet the following eligibility criteria:

• ​be able and committed to deliver the NNM language program to one of the following services:
  • ​an Aboriginal Child and Family Centre
  • a Multifunctional Aboriginal Child Service
  • a mobile or centre-based community preschool
  • ​a not-for-profit long day care service.
• ​not be funded to deliver Aboriginal language programs to the same ECEC services from other source.
• ​be able and committed to ensure the language program is co-developed and delivered by a local language Aboriginal teacher together with either a certificate III diploma qualified educator or an early childhood teacher.
• ​if the applicant is not an ACCO and is a provider of language services, the applicant must have complied with their obligations under the Aboriginal Languages Act 2017 (NSW), including the requirement to notify the Aboriginal Languages Trust of the establishment and operation of their service
• ​if an organisation is unable to access a language teacher, funding may be approved by the department’s Director Aboriginal ECO to support teacher training and the development of appropriate learning resources to facilitate program delivery
• ​documented support from the community where the program will be delivered. This can be demonstrated by the following:
  • ​the department seeks letter(s) of community support that the applicant organisation is recognised as an ACCO, or as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisation (for example, Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) registration, documentation showing 51% Aboriginal ownership, or any other relevant documentation), or
  • ​if the applicant is not an ACCO, a letter of support for the individual language teacher from a recognised Aboriginal organisation (for example, NSW AECG or local AECG, NSW Land Council, NSW Aboriginal Regional Alliance, or another relevant local Aboriginal organisation). 

Assessment criteria

The department will assess applicants against eligibility criteria, program objectives, application requirements and spending rules.

Applications must meet the eligibility criteria. They will also be considered against the following assessment criteria:

• previous experience working with Aboriginal families and communities
• previous experience working with families with children aged 0–5
• established links with ECEC providers in the proposed program community
• established links with Aboriginal organisations, support agencies, or community-led initiatives
• quality rating of ECEC services (Meeting the National Standard or above, unless otherwise approved)
• previous compliance and performance under NNM funding.

NNM prioritises applications from ACCOs.

This aligns with the NSW Government’s commitment to Priority Reform Two of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the First Steps Strategy 2026–29, which focuses on strengthening the community-controlled sector.

An ACCO is an organisation that delivers services, including land and resource management that builds the strength and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people, that is also either: 

• incorporated under relevant legislation and operates on a not-for-profit basis
• controlled and operated by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
• connected to the community or communities in which they deliver services
• governed by a board or management body where the majority are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. 

Grant value

Grants of $30,000 are available per ECEC service, per calendar year from 2026–29 (that is, 4 years).

The program uses a per language teacher approach for funding services. Applicants will be required to report how they will deliver this within their funded services. Recipients will be required to report regularly on the success, or otherwise, of their program achieving results.

An organisation can apply for a grant to deliver the NNM language program at more than one service. The eligibility requirements for each participating service must be met. The details and participation of all nominated services will need to be provided and confirmed during the application process. The application form allows organisations to apply for grants to run a language program at more than one ECEC service.

Spending rules

The NNM program utilises a per language teacher approach for the funding of services.

Activities will primarily benefit children aged from birth to 5 years of age.

Funding can only be used for the development and delivery of an Aboriginal language program and must be delivered to an Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, a Multifunctional Aboriginal Child Service, a mobile or centre-based community preschool or a non-for-profit long day care service.

Language classes can be in conjunction with other community language initiatives delivered by the NSW Government and/or other government agencies, however, this funding is not available for applicants who receive funding to deliver Aboriginal language programs to ECEC services.

Funded activities are required to commence in 2026 and continue through to 2029.

What NNM grants can be used for

• Grants are primarily to cover the cost of one language teacher, providing up to 7 hours of language lessons per week per service.
• Grants can also be used to meet reasonable costs for administering and managing the program, including meeting reporting and record keeping requirements, and to participate in department development activities.

Grants cannot be used for the following

• Resources unrelated to Aboriginal language delivery
• General refurbishment
• Landscape design or garden maintenance solely for aesthetic reasons
• Resources already funded by the department through another ECEC program, such as Start Strong Capital Works or Minor Capital Works
• IT equipment such as digital cameras, electronic white boards, video cameras and computers
• Office equipment such as photocopiers and fax machines
• Staff resources such as kitchen appliances and parking spaces
• Upgrades to mobile preschool venues

Payments

​​Grant recipients will receive a fixed funding amount of $30,000 per service, per year. Payments will be made in two instalments of $15,000 each. Payments will be paid in February and July of the calendar year.

​Grant payments will only be processed for applicants that are registered in the Early Childhood Contract Management System (ECCMS), and that have entered into a funding agreement with the department. ​

Reporting requirements

Funded organisations must:

• Submit financial accountability reports 6 months after the initial payment and annually thereafter.
• Submit performance reports twice per calendar year.

These reports ensure funding is appropriate, services are compliant and data is accurate. Programs may be audited and the department will monitor implementation through reporting and acquittals.

Failure to meet reporting or funding requirements may result in referral to the Children’s Program Team for support. Continued non-compliance may lead to funding suspension or withdrawal.

Program monitoring and evaluation

​​Program evaluation will involve qualitative and quantitative measures including feedback from services on the value of the educational opportunity to the children.

​Monitoring and evaluation will be ongoing throughout the funding agreement and will guide any necessary adjustments to the program, with ongoing consultation to inform of changes and to gather feedback from stakeholders.

​Evaluation will be included under the First Steps Strategy evaluation using the Re-Imagining Evaluation Framework. The Re-imagining Evaluation Framework places Aboriginal students, families and communities at the centre of all evaluation processes. In line with the Framework’s Guiding Principles, evaluation will be culturally responsive, informed by authentic consultation and grounded in what communities’ value as success.

​Services will use a developmental tracking tool of their choice to monitor Aboriginal children’s progress across the five developmental domains. This information will be collated through end-of-year performance and accountability reports, contributing to a deeper understanding of children's strengths and learning journeys in context.

Additional information

SmartyGrants Help Guide

SmartyGrants Help Guide for Applicants and Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's).

Contact Details

For more information about the NNM program, please contact the Aboriginal Services team at the department's Aboriginal Early Childhood Outcomes Directorate:

• Email: AboriginalprogramsECED@det.nsw.edu.au

Feedback and Complaints

If you have feedback, suggestions or complaints about the application and assessment process, you can contact the department at ECE.aboriginalengagement@det.nsw.edu.au.

Alternatively, you may:

• Complete the NSW Department of Education complaint, compliment or suggestion form.
• Call 1800 619 113.

Access to Information

For information about your right to access government-held information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act), please refer to the department’s Agency Information Guide or contact the Right to Access team via GIPA@det.nsw.edu.au.