The Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure’s (DTMI) Coastal Adaptation and Protection (CAP) grant program provides financial assistance to local projects aimed at identifying, planning, and implementing measures to manage coastal hazards and enhance resilience.
The H-CAP Major Project Fund is a targeted program that provides significant grants to support the design and implementation of large-scale coastal adaptation works at Western Australia’s most vulnerable coastal erosion hotspots. The fund aims to help local governments and coastal managers deliver sustainable, long-term solutions that protect infrastructure, community assets, and natural coastal environments.
DTMI also provides non-financial assistance to support the grant programs, including:
- engineering and technical support
- coastal data
- guidance and advice.
The Coast WA program provides additional support to enable coastal land managers to proactively plan and manage their coastline.
DTMI also offers Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme grants to plan, construct and upgrade public boating infrastructure to benefit the WA boating community.
Together CAP and H-CAP grants have provided more than $25.5 million in State funding to local coastal managers across 276 projects since 2009.
Apply for a CAP or H-CAP grant
Applications are now open
To apply for a grant, you will need to register for a DTMI Grants (OmniStar) account. For more information on how to register for an account and create an application, visit the Grants and funding page.
View the documents below for more information.
CAP grants
The CAP grants program is designed to assist local coastal managers with coastal management by providing funds to undertake projects associated with identifying and adapting to coastal hazards.
A coastal hazard is the result of coastal processes that affect the environment and safety of people, such as erosion, accretion, and inundation.
267
CAP projects awarded
16,805,501
CAP Grant funding in dollars 2009/2010 to 2025/2026
Formerly known as the Coastal Protection Grants, the CAP grant program was introduced to reduce the high cost of coastal management for local authorities.
Who can apply for a CAP grant?
CAP grants are available to public bodies responsible for coastal management in Western Australia, including:
- local governments
- State Government agencies
- Aboriginal land councils
- other corporate bodies directly involved with coastal management.
Eligible project types
CAP grants are available for coastal projects, such as:
- coastal monitoring
- investigation
- asset management
- coastal adaptation
- maintenance works.
CAP grants are available for the coastline immediately adjacent to the oceans of WA. Estuarine shorelines are also included as an area of secondary focus.
Projects that have commenced or are complete are not eligible for funding unless the proposed project is a stage of previously approved project.
Funding
The minimum CAP grant limit is $20,000 (excluding GST) and the maximum CAP grant limit is $500,000 (excluding GST). Funding is available for up to 50% of the total cost for all project types.
CAP grant funding usually covers 50% of the total project cost. Applicants are required to contribute the remaining 50%, which may include external funding or in-kind contributions (excluding administration, management fees, overheads, or depreciation).
In special circumstances, small-capacity coastal managers may apply for a reduced contribution of 25%, with CAP funding covering up to 75% of the project cost. If you are unsure about your eligibility for the 25% co-contribution, please contact coastal.management@transport.wa.gov.au.
Find out more about CAP grants and funding selection criteria in the CAP Grants: Information for applicants (2026/2027) document below.
H-CAP Major Project Fund grants
The H-CAP Major Project Fund provides financial assistance for strategic coastal adaptation projects at the State’s 55 coastal erosion hotspots.
9
H-CAP projects awarded
8,735,000
H-CAP Grant funding in dollars 2009/2010 to 2025/2026
Who can apply for a H-CAP grant?
H-CAP grants are available to local coastal managers who meet the following criteria:
- The project must address the management of one or more locations with significant erosion and/or inundation concerns along your managed coastline. Examples include coastal erosion hotspots, coastal inundation hotspots, or other areas with similar issues.
- An applicable Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP) must be drafted or completed, preferably endorsed by council or equivalent authorities.
- The proposed project should be identified in the CHRMAP implementation plan and/or recommendations, or it must closely align with CHRMAP recommendations.
Eligible applicants will receive an email invitation from the Coastal Management Team to apply for a H-CAP grant via the Transport WA Grants portal. This email will also include the 2026/2027 Project Proposal Guidelines.
For more information on H-CAP grants, email us at coastal.management@transport.wa.gov.au
Find out more about the CHRMAP principles on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.
Awarded Coastal Adaptation and Protection grants
View the documents below for details of the CAP and H-CAP grant recipients for 2025/2026, and the projects completed in previous years.