The Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS) provides grant funding to regional airport owners to renew and upgrade airport infrastructure to ensure it meets the needs of WA regional communities.
The scheme runs every 2 years and applications are only open to airport owners and leaseholders.
Since 2009, more than $53 million in RADS funding has been granted to 338 regional airport projects that have improved airport safety, accessibility, security and development planning for remote and regional communities.
2025-27 RADS grant round recipients
RADS grants totalling almost $3.6 million have been awarded to 12 regional and remote airports for the 2025-27 funding round.
Projects awarded funding will support infrastructure upgrades and planning to improve access and emergency evacuations for regional and remote towns.
Download a table of the successful projects below.
Apply for a RADS grant
Applications for the 2025-27 RADS funding round have now closed.
Who can apply
To apply for a RADS grant, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are the airport owner or lease holder (or duly authorised delegate) of an airport in regional or remote Western Australia.
- Your organisation must have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Your airport provides aviation services for the general public.
- Your airport is maintained on an ongoing basis.
- You can demonstrate the procurement policy (or equivalent) that will be followed for the project.
- Airports located on land owned or managed by the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority or Aboriginal Lands Trust (ALT), must comply with the ALT land use and development policy.
- All Regular Public Transport (RPT) airports must submit the most current Strategic Airports Assets and Financial Management Framework and commit to working with DoT to maintain a Strategic Airports Assets and Financial Management Framework.
Eligible projects
Projects eligible for RADS funding must provide benefit to the community and could not be undertaken without RADS assistance.
Eligible projects will generally fall into one or more of the following categories listed below.
Other projects may be considered if you can demonstrate how it will improve air services and air safety for regional communities.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
|
Aircraft movement and area development |
This may involve construction, extension, sealing or marking of runways, taxiways and aircraft parking areas. This includes meeting Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) requirements and relevant Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) aerodrome regulations. |
|
Airside development |
This may include provision of airport lighting, navigation aids and patient transfer facilities. |
|
Grounds development |
This may include animal exclusion fencing, drainage or obstacle limitation areas. |
|
Terminal development |
This may include construction, installation of security equipment, such as bag and passenger screening facilities, or safety enhancements. |
|
Airport strategic planning |
A strategic airport asset and financial management plan typically guides future capital works at the airport. |
|
Other aviation infrastructure projects |
If the project falls outside of the above categories, it is important that the applicant clearly demonstrate how the project will improve regional air services and air safety for the benefit of regional communities. |
Preparing your application
Generally, you can apply for 50% of the estimated total cost of the project and your project must be completed within 24 months.
Works must be completed before the RADS grant is paid. Grantees must not commence work or order any goods or services associated with their RADS project until after the funding deed is signed by both parties.
If you are seeking funding greater or equal to $500,000 or your project is likely to take longer than 24 months, email rads@transport.wa.gov.au before submitting your application.
We encourage you to seek funding from other government or private agencies towards your project to deliver the greatest value from the limited funding available.
Please notify DoT if funding is secured as the total of your RADS grant may be reduced.
Ineligible items
The following items are not eligible for funding and will be deducted from the grant offer if they are included in the application:
- ‘landside’ infrastructure such as car parks, access roads, landscaping or power/ water connection, dams and commercial developments;
- the purchase of motor vehicles, heavy plant and equipment;
- ongoing airport operating or running costs;
- aerodrome training;
- depreciation costs;
- general organisational administration costs;
- maintenance costs covered under the Department of Communities’ Remote Essential and Municipal Services (REMS) program;
- audit costs;
- contingency costs;
- project management costs unless satisfactory proof is provided that a professional consultant was engaged directly on the project;
- overheads such as costs of rent, insurance, and taxes;
- price mark-ups on goods, where the works are undertaken by the grant recipient;
- costs associated with the removal of vandalism activities;
- retrospective costs (grantees must not commence work or order goods or services associated with the project prior to the funding deed being executed); and
- costs not directly related to the project as defined in the funding deed.
Other funding sources
The Australian Government offers grants programs to support regional and remote aviation.
The Remote Aviation Access Program (RAAP) provides support for remote aviation where it is not commercially viable but is essential for the social and economic wellbeing of the communities they serve.
The funding components on RAAP are the:
- Remote Air Services Subsidy (RASS) Scheme
- Remote Aerodrome Inspection (RAI) Program
- Remote Aerodrome Upgrade (RAU) Program.
Find out more about the Australian Government's aviation grant programs on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication’s website.