Historic Underpayment

The historic underpayment refers to money that should have been paid to the Foundation under the Yandi Land Use Agreement but was not paid at the correct time. After review and negotiation, Rio Tinto paid the outstanding amount – including interest – into the Foundation.

The funds have been safely held with the Gumala Trust since 2022.

Yes. A second underpayment is expected. The Gumala Trust is encouraging GAC to finalise negotiations with Rio Tinto as soon as possible.

During consultation, Beneficiaries were asked how they wanted the funds distributed. More than 70% preferred an equal distribution for all current Beneficiaries, rather than limiting it only to those who were members in 2022. This approach reflects the community’s preference for fairness.

The Gumala Trust Board has approved a structured distribution model that allows Beneficiaries to access support in key areas of need. This ensures the funds are used responsibly and in line with the Trust Deed.

Eligible Beneficiaries can apply for one or more of the following:

• Home or Property Ownership & Repairs — up to $28,000 for mortgage assistance, home loan deposits, essential repairs, or major home or property improvements
• Superannuation Contribution — up to $28,000 to contribute directly into your superannuation to strengthen long‑term financial security
• Rent & Utility Assistance — up to $28,000 for essential living costs such as rent, electricity, water, gas and other utilities
• Purchasing Card — up to $10,000 for everyday essential purchases such as food, transport, clothing, school supplies and household needs (You must already have applied for a card before funds can be loaded.)
• Hardship Support — up to $7,000, unless you have already received the December 2025 ($3,000) and/or April 2026 ($4,000) hardship payments. This support is for Beneficiaries experiencing unusual hardship or distress, as defined in the Trust Deed.

Yes, but only within the approved categories. The Trust Deed does not allow unrestricted large cash payments to individuals. Support must be provided in ways that align with the charitable purpose of the Foundation.

Yes. For certain categories — such as Home or Property Repairs, Rent & Utility Assistance, and some Superannuation Contributions — funds will be paid directly to suppliers, service providers or your superannuation fund. This ensures the support is used correctly and in line with the Trust Deed.

For the Purchasing Card, funds are loaded onto your card once approved.

Many Beneficiaries are applying for funds to be paid into mortgages, for themselves, or their families who they live with, or into paying rent and utility bills (in advance or overdue). Others have applied for different types of approved housing options, such as caravans. The Gumala Trust is committed to working with you, within the guidelines of the Underpayment distribution.

Eligible Beneficiaries have up to $28,000 available across the approved categories, unless hardship payments have already been received.

Your remaining amount depends on whether you received the two hardship payments:

• If you received both the December 2025 ($3,000) and April 2026 ($4,000) hardship payments, you will have $21,000 remaining.
• If you received only the December 2025 hardship payment ($3,000), you will have $25,000 remaining.
• If you received only the April 2026 hardship payment ($4,000), you will have $24,000 remaining.
• If you did not receive either hardship payment, you will have the full $28,000 available.

The application form will ask you to confirm whether you received each hardship payment. Your answers will be checked against our records to ensure everything is accurate.

No. Support provided through the approved categories is not taxable income. Payments are made in ways that comply with the Trust Deed and the Foundation’s charitable purpose, so they are not treated as personal income by the ATO.

You do not need to use your full amount at once. You can apply for support across multiple categories over time, as long as it is within your available balance. Unused amounts remain available to you until the distribution period closes.

If you’re unsure which support category is right for you, you can start with one category now and apply for others later. You don’t need to make all your decisions at once. If you’d like help understanding your options, call 0448 880 786.

You are not required to apply immediately. Your available amount remains open to you throughout the distribution period, and you can apply when it suits your needs.

We understand you want to take some time to think about your options. The Gumala Trust will keep your funds safe until you are ready to use them.

You can apply online by completing the historic underpayment application form, uploading any required documents, and submitting your details for review.

Yes. You may select multiple support categories, as long as the total amount does not exceed your available balance.

Yes. Each support category requires different documentation (e.g., invoices, statements, quotes, superannuation details). The application form will guide you through what is needed.

Applications submitted by 1 June will be ready by 1 July. Applications submitted after 1 June will be processed in the next round, with support ready by 1 September, provided all required information is submitted by 1 August.

You can request changes before your application is assessed, but once processing has begun, changes may not be possible. If you need to update your selections, contact the team as soon as possible at underpayment@gumalatrust.com or call 0448 880 786 if you need help.

If any required documents are missing, unclear or incomplete, the team will contact you and ask for the correct information. Your application will not progress until all documents are received, so providing complete information early will help avoid delays.

Yes. If you’re unsure which support category best fits your needs, you can call 0448 880 786 for guidance. As a general guide:

• Home or Property Support may suit you if you want to improve your living situation or reduce housing stress
• Superannuation Contributions are ideal if you want to strengthen long‑term financial security
• Rent & Utility Assistance helps if you’re managing essential living costs
• Purchasing Card is useful for everyday essentials
• Hardship Support is for Beneficiaries experiencing unusual hardship or distress

The team can help you understand your options, but the final choice is yours.

Please submit a letter to support this request – you can use the template below if you would like.

Letter for funds to another person for property ownership or housing

Yes. If you and another Beneficiary want to contribute to the same housing or property costs, you can choose to pool your funds. To do this, simply upload a Letter for the Combination of Funds, which outlines how the combined funds should be used and who the payment should be made to. This helps the team understand the shared arrangement and process the payment correctly.

Please contact the underpayment project team at underpayment@gumalatrust.com or call (08) 6289 7500.

All change requests will need to be made before the 1 June deadline, to be processed for the 1 July payments to commence.

If you need help filling out your application, please call 0448 880 786. For all other enquiries, please email underpayment@gumalatrust.com.

To keep processing times fair for everyone, we ask that you do not call for general updates. We will contact you if we need more information.