Application process

All new boating facilities must comply with the relevant Australian Standards:

• Maritime structures (AS 4997).
• Marinas (AS 3962).
• Universal access design (AS 1428).

Australian Standards documents are available from SAI Global.

Facilities with trailer parking must be of the appropriate dimensions to allow for a typical vehicle with a boat trailer to manoeuvre and park safely.

Vehicle and turning path design templates are available from Austroads:Publications.

The Department of Transport (DoT) has developed a set of design guidelines to assist Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme grant applicants (available below)

For more information, contact the Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme team at rbfs@transport.wa.gov.au

Determine which grant category is appropriate for your proposal.

Planning applications

Planning grants are awarded for preliminary work required before construction, such as design drawings, strategic boating plans, detailed cost estimates, level of demand reports or construction approvals.

DoT has developed guidelines for the design of boat launching facilities in WA, below the 25th parallel.

We recommend that you refer to these drawings and design guidelines to assist you with your design considerations.

Tidal and cyclonic conditions for areas north of this require additional design considerations, we encourage you to contact us for more details.

Works applications

Works grants are awarded for the construction of public recreational boating facilities and infrastructure.

We recommend you have detailed engineering drawings and cost estimates before applying for a works grant.

If you do not already have these, consider applying for a planning grant.

Find out more about eligibility and grant conditions.

Download the relevant application form below.

To apply for a work grant, you will need to complete both:

• Works projects grant application form
• Works projects grant application: Table 6.1

We recommended you start your application as soon as possible as you may need to obtain quotes or approvals.

Round 28 of the Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme (RBFS) closes 2 pm Friday 1 September 2023.

Email your completed form and all required attachments by the closing date to rbfs@transport.wa.gov.au

The file size limit for emails is 15MB. If you may need to send your application using multiple emails, ensure each email is sequentially marked.

We encourage works applications to attach engineering drawings or concept plans, and relevant photos of :

• Close ups and aerial photos of the site, with the location clearly marked.
• Examples of similar infrastructure to your proposal.
• Existing infrastructure with the proposed upgrade clearly marked.

Once your application has been received, we will send an acknowledgement email.

Applications or attachments received after the closing date will not be accepted.

Your application will be assessed by:

• Regional Assessment panel
• Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme panel
• Minister for Transport

All applications will be evaluated based on the benefits they provide to the recreational boating public.

You will be notified on the outcome of your application.

You may be offered full funding, funding for certain components only, or only a percentage of the funding you requested. You will be asked to sign a legally binding funding agreement, which sets out the grant conditions.

Unsuccessful applications

If unsuccessful, you will be provided with reasons why the application was unsuccessful.

You may apply again in the next round, but please consider the reasons for the application failing.