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November 20, 2025
Country Needs People welcome this week’s announcement by Federal Ministers McCarthy and Watt of a second round of federally-funded Indigenous Ranger jobs, while highlighting the need for government agencies to redouble their effort to support frontline capacity of ranger work.
“Australia is leading the way with growing investment in ongoing caring for Country through Ranger jobs and Indigenous Protected Areas”, said Paddy O’Leary, CEO of Country Needs People. “This funding forms part of the Federal Government’s commitment to double Indigenous Ranger jobs by 2030 with equity for women. Country Needs People advocated for this funding nationally, side by side, with our Indigenous Partners Network and continues to work hard to sustain support for this valuable work across the political spectrum.“
“We applaud the Federal Government for delivering on its promise of funding which we campaigned so hard for alongside our Indigenous partners”, says Paddy O’Leary, CEO of Country Needs People. “What is of utmost importance now is that we do not set these jobs up to fail. The Indigenous Rangers Program is too valuable and too important. It’s not only providing much needed jobs in the bush, but also transforming lives and protecting nature for all Australians”.
Country Needs People recognises that many of these jobs will be going to places and organisations who will be giving people their first paid job caring for Country. In order to successfully deliver ongoing management of complex matters like fire, feral animal and invasive weed control, threatened species management, cultural landscape and seascape protection Indigenous Ranger groups need tailored and focused support structures within federal agencies.
“Indigenous Rangers desperately need the Federal Government to rebuild their practical and dedicated support for host organisations which will ensure this work can succeed, supporting not only wages but also operational needs. We talk about capacity building for community, but the Federal Government needs to rebuild its own capacity structurally to support this work, which was dismantled by previous administration. We know it’s still lacking, we know what’s required. We need to restore that in-agency capability if we want enduring success for people, nature and culture”, said Paddy O’Leary.
“Country Needs People congratulates all the groups who have worked hard for this funding and won’t forget those who missed out in this round. This funding shows sustained, positive collaborative advocacy can deliver when we stay the course. We’ve all got more to do to secure a lasting, quality future for the sector, and we’re keen to work with government to deliver that.”
Led by a majority Indigenous board, Country Needs People is a leading national non-profit non-partisan organisation committed to Indigenous Land & Sea Management. Alongside 50 Indigenous Partners Country Needs People works to grow, strengthen and advocate for Indigenous Rangers, to ensure Traditional Owners and their organisations are properly supported to deliver land and sea management Australia-wide. Country Needs People instigated the successful campaign for doubling jobs for Indigenous Rangers and have been working to grow funding for Indigenous Rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas since 2015, which has garnered the support of over 120,000 Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Photo: Budj Bim Rangers Heath Smith & Aaron Bamblett. Photo: Annette Ruzicka.
We pay our respects to all the First Nations people around Australia and their unbroken commitment to keep Country strong on land and sea. We acknowledge Indigenous partners, Traditional Owners, Elders past, present and emerging and extend our appreciation of their support and guidance of our daily work.
