FUNERAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

As part of its commitment to the Aboriginal people of NSW and to fulfill its legislative commitments to provide community benefits to members of Local Aboriginal Land Councils and the wider Aboriginal community, the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council offers land council members, and Aboriginal people resident in New South Wales the ability to seek limited financial grants under a Funeral Benefits Scheme.

A Funeral Fund was established in 1991-1992 and membership of the fund was opened up to all NSW Aboriginal people. Members were required to pay an annual membership fee. Membership of the Funeral Fund was closed in February 1994.

As members of the fund had paid membership fees in the expectation that they would be given assistance with funeral expenses, NSWALC determined that persons who were financial members when the Funeral Fund closed are entitled to a funeral grant of up to $5000.

NSWALC has also determined that any NSW Aboriginal person who was not a member of a Funeral Fund is entitled to a funeral grant of up to $1000 to assist with covering the funeral costs.

Grants are paid directly to funeral service providers under this community benefits scheme.

In 2008/2009, NSWALC provided a total of $550,598 in grants to assist with funerals.

This grant scheme is operated under strict criteria.

• Application forms for assistance are available here  [PDF]
• Terms and Condtions are available here [PDF]

For further details of eligibility under the scheme, please contact NSWALC
on (02) 9689 4489 or Toll Free on: 1800 647 487