Desert Support Services

05/03/2026

We have our own 'success story' to share which demonstrates just how valuable this program is.

A few years ago DSS was fortunate to recruit a ranger coordinator who'd completed their internship with IDA.

They took on coordinating a new Aboriginal Ranger Program for one of our clients, putting into practice their passion, knowledge and priceless skills to work with community needs.

We know how lucky the next PBC is to have this coordinator working with them.

Could you be the next one to take the leap? We hope so.

Get your career on the desert track! Applications are now open for the 2026 IDA Desert Internship program.

The internship is an immersive four-week program that will provide real-world, practical experience with community-based Indigenous ranger programs. The internship is paid and is designed to help you transition into the sector and build a career working with rangers in the desert. It is a unique opportunity if you are considering a career change or wanting a more purposeful role connected to people and country. We encourage people with diverse skills and experience to apply.

Learn more here: https://www.indigenousdesertalliance.com/what-we-do/sector-development/desert-internship-program

Image(L-R): 2025 intern Clementine Heath and Nyangumarta Ranger Vallerina Aspro.

05/02/2026

The WA Aboriginal Ranger Program has been a great kickstarter for many Traditional Owner Corporations over the years.

We've had the amazing opportunity to work with many groups to help them to design their programs and get them running.

And now Round 9 is offering more opportunities.

Covering all stages for Regionally located corporations and programs.

There is funding to -
Prepare - ie want to plan, design and develop a program
Active - have a plan and want to activate and employ
Sustain - support what you already have to keep going

All the information can be found on the DBCA website here:
https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/management/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-ranger-program

And if you need a chat on how and where to start, get in touch.

13/01/2026

"Good things come...", plenty of us have been waiting for this announcement to come.

We've seen first hand, by working side by side with Traditional Owners on IPAs, just how important this work and support is.

Applications close on 11 March 2026 at 9:00pm AEDT.

Let's see the land coverage of Indigenous Protected Areas grow in 2026 and beyond!

13/08/2025

The power to create can be in all our hands if we choose.

And “The Power for Good: Creating a Culture of Respect” for our workplace is a current topic Central Desert Group (CDG) staff are exploring in staff awareness sessions, which kicked off this week at our East Perth Office.

Coordinated and run by Desert Accounting and Business Support (DABS) HR Consultant Renae Maher, the sessions are part of CDG’s ongoing commitment to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace culture.

The interactive forum reminds us of what we can and need to do to contribute to a healthy work environment and of our values, which guide our behaviours.

Staff have the opportunity to explore important topics such as discrimination, workplace bullying, and sexual harassment. The session is designed to encourage reflection, discussion, and connection across teams.

01/08/2025

Each year on 31 July it’s World Ranger Day.

Today- which is a different day and date, and again tomorrow, and the day after - rangers will still be doing what they do, what we need them to do, for Country, for our communities, for our planet that we all share.

Why should their work matter to all of us?
Ranger work is more than a job. Rangers contribute to a range of national priorities, such as:
- Contributing to environmental and biodiversity offsets for developments.
- Environmental protection and conservation.
- Cultural heritage preservation and recognition.
- Indigenous empowerment and economic development.
- Sustainable land and water management.
- Community engagement and well-being.

We feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of it.

Last Financial year more than 300 Indigenous rangers worked on and for programs that Desert Support Services delivered alongside Traditional Owners across the Central Desert Region of Western Australia.

We are committed to seeing that number grow, and programs run by Traditional Owners grow with it.

This is more than just a job. Now it’s back to doing what we do, every day.
Thank you, Rangers everywhere, today and every day.