FY26/27
Keeping You Informed
In the interest of transparency, Gumala wants to provide Members with a breakdown of how program funding has been allocated for FY2026/27.
The graphic below sets out the distribution of funding across GAC’s various programs for the year ahead.
Program Delivery Breakdowns
Here’s a breakdown of how these funds actively benefit the community.
Community Programs
This is funding directed at broader community benefit, cultural maintenance, and local sponsorship – supporting Banjima, Nyiyaparli, and Yinhawangka communities collectively rather than individual members. Please note, these programs do not have individual Member application forms.
NAIDOC Funding
NAIDOC funding is available to help our community celebrate and come together during NAIDOC Week. It can be used for activities that recognise and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and achievements, such as community BBQs, family fun days, cultural workshops, youth and Elders’ activities, traditional dance and music, yarning circles, educational events, and other activities that bring our community together, strengthen cultural connections, and celebrate this year’s NAIDOC theme.
Community Sponsorship
Community Sponsorship funding is available to support local activities, events, and initiatives that create positive outcomes for our community. It can be used to assist community groups, sporting clubs, schools, cultural events, health and wellbeing activities, educational programs, and other projects that encourage participation, strengthen community connections, and provide lasting benefits for our members and the wider community.
Community Improvement
Community Improvements and Development funding is available to support projects that enhance and strengthen our community for the benefit of current and future generations. This may include improving community facilities, purchasing equipment, upgrading shared spaces, supporting infrastructure projects, and other initiatives that create safer, more accessible, and welcoming places for our members and the wider community.
Lore Ground Maintenance
Lore Grounds Maintenance funding is available to support the upkeep, care, and improvement of important community spaces. This funding can assist with maintaining Lore grounds, including general upkeep, landscaping, repairs, and other maintenance activities that help keep these areas safe, accessible, and welcoming for community.
3a Support
Gumala provides minor funding support for the 3A early learning program based on its demonstrated outcomes for children and families. Across six NIAA-funded centres, families are attending three to four sessions a week, and every parent surveyed agrees the program has improved their child’s language, social skills, confidence or learning outcomes. In this reporting period alone, the program engaged 269 parents and carers and 363 children aged 0–5 across Karratha, Wickham, Marble Bar, Wakuthuni and North Tom Price, with 89% of all hours worked delivered by Indigenous staff. Beyond the numbers, 3A builds a genuine workforce pipeline – training local staff as 3A Practitioners and creating pathways into leadership roles, while partnering with the Earbus, PAHA, KindiLink, the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and Left Australia to wrap culturally grounded resources around every family. Investing in the first five years of a child’s life is one of the most direct ways Gumala can support school readiness and long-term outcomes for the next generation.
Learn more about the 3A Early Learning Program Here.
Member Programs
This is funding directed at individual Member benefit across development, education, core welfare support, and wellbeing, and is the primary channel through which GAC distributes benefits directly to Members.
Development
These are programs focused on building Member capability and employment pathways.
Member Sponsorship
Gumala’s Member Sponsorship program removes the financial barrier that can stand between a Member and a genuinely rare opportunity. When a member is selected to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime educational, cultural, sporting or health-related opportunity, one they could not otherwise afford, this program ensures that opportunity isn’t lost. By assessing each application on its merits and prioritising funding toward the individual Member rather than broader group costs, Gumala ensures this program stays focused on its core purpose: backing members who are excelling and giving them the chance to seize opportunities that can shape their future. With over 122 applications processed last financial year, from international sports tournaments to medical training; this program puts Members first and allows them to shape their future.
More info about the Member Sponsorship Program can be found Here.
Traineeships
Gumala’s Traineeship program gives Members a genuine pathway from study into sustained employment. Delivered in partnership with nationally recognised training providers, Members are placed in real, paid roles, while working toward a nationally recognised qualification over 12 to 18 months. Trainees gain hands-on experience across governance, customer service and administration, building the practical skills and workplace confidence that open the door to further career progression. This hands-on, learning model reflects Gumala’s broader commitment to building a skilled, work-ready Membership base and creating leadership pathways from within the community.
Skills & Development
The Skills & Development program supports Members at every stage of the employment journey – from first steps into the workforce through to career advancement. Members have access to career guidance; including resume, cover letter and interview support, tailored to a clear career path. By pairing genuine one-on-one career guidance with practical, needs-based funding, this program is designed to remove real barriers to employment and give Members the tools to build lasting careers.
More info about the Skills & Development Program can be found Here.
Education
Gumala’s Education programs support Members across every stage of learning, from a child’s first year of Kindy through to postgraduate study, reflecting GAC’s commitment to long-term Member outcomes through education. Education Guidelines can be found Here.
Kindy
Early education sets the foundation for a child’s future schooling. This program helps eligible families cover the costs of getting young children into kindergarten, from fees to essential resources, giving every Gumala child the best possible start.
Primary School
As children progress through primary school, costs add up; uniforms, stationery, excursions, camps and technology. This funding helps ease that burden, ensuring the practical items and experiences that support a child’s learning and social development stay within reach.
High School
The transition through secondary school comes with rising costs and increasing pressure. By supporting fees, resources, tutoring and even driving lessons, this program helps reduce the barriers that can get in the way of a student completing their schooling and moving confidently into further study or employment.
Certificate I or II
For Members taking their first steps into vocational training, this funding covers course fees and related costs, opening the door to nationally recognised qualifications and a clear pathway toward employment.
Certificate III or IV
As Members progress to higher-level vocational study, this program continues to back their development, supporting trade qualifications and career advancement, and supporting the next step up from entry-level training.
Tertiary
University and higher education can transform career prospects, but the costs of study; fees, textbooks, equipment and living expenses, can be significant. This program provides Members pursuing diplomas, degrees and higher qualifications with meaningful financial support, recognising both the investment required and the long-term value tertiary education brings to Members and their families.
Education Support
The Education Support Program, through the Healthy Kids, Healthy Spirits initiative, is designed to support families in helping children engage with and maintain their education. The program aims to encourage positive learning experiences, support school participation, and provide opportunities that help build confidence, enthusiasm, and the skills needed to support future generations and lifelong learning.
Core Programs
As GAC’s largest funding category, Core Programs represent Gumala’s primary commitment to the direct, everyday wellbeing of members – recognising cultural obligations, providing flexible support across life’s many needs, and ensuring families are looked after through targeted, dedicated assistance.
Funeral & Culture
Gumala recognises that fulfilling cultural responsibilities to family and Country carries both deep significance and real financial cost. This program supports Banjima, Yinhawangka and Nyiyaparli members in meeting funeral obligations and participating in cultural activities, from Sorry Business to on-Country connection, language preservation and Lore ground attendance, without that cost becoming a barrier. This financial year, funding for this program has increased from $800 to $1,000 per member, reflecting the Board’s commitment to strengthening support for culture and family.
Funeral & Culture guidelines can be found Here.
Flexible Program
As GAC’s flagship payment program, Flexible funding gives members genuine discretion to direct support where they need it most; across health and wellbeing, education, technology, housing, transport, sport and cultural participation. Rather than a one-size-fits-all payment, the program is built around the reality that every member’s circumstances are different, and puts that choice back in members’ hands.
Flexible guidelines can be found Here.
Family Support Program
New this financial year, the Family Support Program provides a dedicated payment to help Members and their families meet essential household and family needs. It’s designed to help families by providing mid-year funding, during times where stress is at a high and funding might be otherwise out of reach.
Support & Wellbeing
Safety-net programs designed to support members through difficult or unexpected circumstances, and to provide additional support for older members.
Emergency Assistance
Gumala’s Emergency Assistance program exists to provide urgent, short-term relief to members facing life-threatening or otherwise extreme and unforeseen circumstances. Applications are assessed quickly, on a case-by-case basis, once a member has exhausted other available funds and can verify their situation. This program reflects Gumala’s commitment to standing behind members in their most difficult moments, when timely support matters most.
Emergency Assistance guidelines can be found Here.
Hardship Program
The Hardship Program is available to support members experiencing significant financial hardship due to circumstances beyond their control. This may include long-term medical situations or other challenges that impact a member’s ability to meet essential financial needs. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, with an extensive review of supporting information to understand each member’s individual circumstances and determine appropriate assistance.
55 Plus Support Program
Gumala’s Elders carry irreplaceable knowledge, culture and lived experience, and this program is a direct acknowledgement of that role. Available automatically to Beneficiaries aged 55 and over, this dedicated payment recognises the distinct needs of older members and provides additional support without requiring a separate application, a small but meaningful way of saying older Members’ contributions to the community haven’t gone unnoticed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total program funding for FY26/27 is $15 million, split between Community Programs ($1,910,000) and Member Programs ($13,090,000).
Community Programs benefit the community as a whole; things like cultural site maintenance, NAIDOC celebrations, and community infrastructure. Member Programs provide direct support to individual members and families, such as education support, family support, and emergency assistance.
The Flexible Program hasn’t been cut — funding has been redistributed to create more targeted support. Some of what was previously accessed through Flexi is now available through the new Family Support Program, an expanded Funeral & Culture allocation, and the 55 Plus Support Program for older members. Together, these changes are designed to make sure funding reaches members through the programs that best suit their needs.
Applications will open by mid-December. We’ll confirm the exact date and how to apply via the website, email, and SMS closer to the time. It is anticipated applications will open in November for payment in December.
Program funding is reviewed and approved by the GAC Board each year, guided by member need, community priorities, and available distribution funding.
