More than 40 communities and across the country will benefit under the First Nations Languages Education Program, the federal government has announced.
Over $11 million in grants will be offered for 26 projects to help strengthen Indigenous language education in primary schools as part of the government's commitment to Closing the Gap.
One of the project applicants from South Australia said their language had not been used in everyday context for some time.
"There are no fluent speakers, only two speakers confident in the use of grammar structures, and 10-12 speakers with pronunciation skills," they said.
"Within the next five years, it is hoped that there will be enough language teachers for our language to be taught as a language in primary classrooms within the region.
"It is our hope that a broader and larger part of the community will be able to connect to the language stolen from their ancestors and them. They will have the opportunity to teach it to their children and their grandchildren."
A Queensland applicant said their language was already endangered, with less than 10 elderly speakers remaining.
"We recall our childhood, when we started going to school, the government took our language away from us, we weren't allowed to speak our language at school," the applicant said.
"Now, the school is helping us to bring our language back as part of healing and walking together as a community."
Through community-driven collaborations to teach local languages, the government says the initiative recognises each community will have "different aspirations and needs" when it comes to teaching and sustaining Indigenous languages.
"As a proud Yanyuwa Garrwa woman, I know the importance of languages in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the world's oldest continuing cultures," Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said.
"This investment in community led organisations will mean more First Nations languages are taught in schools, ensuring they thrive into the future."
Developed in partnership with the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, First Languages Australia (FLA), the two-year projects will support in developing more than 100 trainee language educators as well as partnerships with more than 70 schools.
Education Minister Jason Clare said the program was about strengthening the teaching of First Nations languages.
"It's important we safeguard and strengthen local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in community," Minister Clare said.
"That's why we're providing funding to help more young Australians develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the first languages and cultures of this country."
The program, the government says, aims to progress Target 16 of Closing the Gap, which supported a sustained increase in the number and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages being spoken.
First Languages Australia chief executive, Beau Williams, said the program has "empowered communities to design projects tailored to what they need, using the knowledge, people and resources they have available".
He labelled it a "great investment in community led organisations and initiatives" which would help contribute to the "revitalisation and maintenance of our languages".
