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FY 25/26 Program Funding

Published 28th August 2026

 

FY2025/26 Program Funding: The Facts 

GAC is aware of commentary circulating about the delivery of FY2025/26 Programs, including specific figures relating to approved funding, released funding, and Hardship payments. This page sets out the full picture for Members and Beneficiaries, including the underlying process and a timeline of events. 

 

How Program Funding works 

Program Funding is not paid out automatically or in bulk. GAC can only distribute Program Funding to eligible Beneficiaries who apply through the standard application process for each Program. This means the amount released in any given period reflects actual applications received and approved, not the full amount theoretically available. 

GAC’s ability to open Programs and release funding also depends on the funding release mechanism operating as intended under the Trust Deed, specifically clause 8.11 (the proviso clause). This clause allows the Trustee to depart from the mandatory minimum Available Income spend for a Financial Year, but only where GAC (as Manager) has been consulted and a written instrument setting out reasons has been issued. Consultation under this clause is a procedural requirement, not a formality.

 

What are Income Utilisation Categories (IUC’s)?

Income Utilisation Categories are the specific categories approved within the Trust Deed that set out what Foundation funds can be spent on for the benefit of community Members and Beneficiaries — for example, education, health, or hardship support. Each category has a specified minimum percentage of Available Income that must be spent on it in a given Financial Year. 

Any funding decision has to fit within one of these categories, at the specified percentage. When a Program needs extra sign-off — such as through the proviso clause explained below — it is usually because the Program does not sit neatly within an existing category, or would take spending outside the specified percentage for that category. The Flexible Program is an example of this: it does not fit under one of the existing Income Utilisation Categories, which is why the proviso clause is needed for GAC to run it. 

 

What is the Proviso Clause?

Clause 8.11 of the Trust Deed is commonly referred to as the proviso clause. It gives the Trustee flexibility to depart from the usual minimum spending requirements for the categories described above, in a particular Financial Year, where doing so is in the best interests of the Foundation. 

Before this flexibility can be used, the Trustee must consult with GAC as Manager, and record the reasons for the decision in writing. This consultation requirement is a substantive part of the process, not a formality — it is the mechanism intended to ensure that decisions departing from the standard spending rules are made properly, transparently, and with GAC’s input. 

 

Claim 1: it was approved for GAC to distribute $15.4 million through Program delivery in July 2025 

Following budget approval in June 2025, GAC was not able to access the full first half of FY2025/26 Program funding. This was because the clause 8.11 mechanism had not been finalised in line with GAC’s proposed Program budget. 

The Flexible Program in particular could not proceed without the proviso mechanism being finalised, as it sits outside the existing Income Utilisation Categories (see above). Until this was resolved, GAC did not have the authority to open the Program. 

As a direct result of this, two of GAC’s Programs could not open for the first half of FY2025/26: 

  • Flexible Program — not available 
  • Funeral & Culture Program — not available 

The below Programs remained accessible for the entirety of FY2025/26: 

  • Education 
  • Skills & Development 
  • Emergency Assistance 
  • Member Sponsorship 
  • Community Development  

This position was resolved on 11 November 2025. From that date, GAC was able to open all Programs for the remainder of the Financial Year. 

 

Claim 2: GAC only released $5.36 million of that funding 

GAC confirms that $5.36 million of Program Funding was released during FY2025/26, to all eligible Beneficiaries who applied through the standard application process. 

The remaining $2.8 million referenced in circulating figures was not withheld by GAC. It was fully available to eligible Beneficiaries through the standard application process for the Financial Year, but was not accessed. GAC understands the reduced application window created by the funding delay outlined above to be a contributing factor in this amount not being fully drawn down. GAC did not have discretion to distribute this funding outside of the standard application process. 

 

Claim 3: $7.098 million in Hardship payments were made while GAC Programs were not being released 

The clause 8.11 proviso mechanism was activated to allow $7.098 million in Hardship payments to be delivered, drawn from funding allocated to the Program budget. This occurred while some Programs remained closed for the reasons set out above. The July and November Hardship payments were paid directly from the allocated Flexible program budget.  

Had the clause 8.11 mechanism been applied earlier and in full, GAC would have been able to deliver all Programs from the start of FY2025/26, consistent with GAC’s original FY2025/26 Program Funding proposal. 

What this means for Members and Beneficiaries 

In practical terms: for the first half of FY2025/26, Beneficiaries were able to apply for Education, Skills & Development, and Emergency Assistance support, but not for the Flexible Program or the Funeral & Culture Program.

From 11 November 2025 onward, all five Programs were open and accepting applications for the remainder of the Financial Year.

If Members chose to apply for the July and November Hardship payments, their Flexible funds were $0, as the funding for the hardship payment came directly from this budget.

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Timeline 

  • June 2025: FY2025/26 budget approved. 
  • July 2025 – November 2025: Full first-half Program funding not accessible; the clause 8.11 proviso mechanism had not been finalised in line with GAC’s proposed Program budget; Flexible Program and Funeral & Culture Program (both outside the standard Income Utilisation Categories or reduced allocations) unavailable. 
    • During this period: Clause 8.11 proviso activated separately to enable $7.098 million in Hardship payments, drawn from Program budget funding. 
  • 11 November 2025: Proviso clause position resolved; all Programs reopened. 
  • Across FY2025/26: $5.36 million released via standard applications; $2.8 million remained available under the standard application process but was not accessed. 

GAC remains fully committed to delivering key Programs in line with Member and Beneficiary consultation, their needs, and the objectives of the Gumala Foundation.  

We take our role seriously as the Manager of the Foundation, and we look forward to continuing to work with all key stakeholders in a culturally respectful manner — underlined by our values of Family, Respect, Culture, Honesty, and Leadership.

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