Regional Airports Program – Round 5

Funding available for this round: $15 million.
Minimum grant amount: $20,000.
Maximum grant amount: $5 million.
Most grants are expected to be between $20,000 and $3 million.
Grant funding can cover up to 50 percent of eligible project costs.
Where both the applicant and a third party contribute to eligible project costs, the grant amount may be reduced to one-third of eligible project costs.
Applicant contributions can be cash or in-kind.
Projects are expected to commence around October 2026 and be completed by 30 December 2028.
Applications close July 28 2026.

The Regional Airports Program - Round 5 is a federal competitive grant program supporting essential upgrades at regional airports and aerodromes across Australia. It is designed to improve aviation safety, accessibility and climate resilience, while also supporting the transition to net zero aviation technology. Funding is available for works that strengthen airside infrastructure, improve all weather capability, support night operations, enhance operational safety, and enable lower emission aviation services.

The program also aims to improve delivery of essential goods and services, strengthen regional connectivity, and support aeromedical, emergency and other critical air services. Grants are available to eligible airport and aerodrome owners or operators in inner regional and outer regional areas, subject to passenger throughput and other eligibility conditions. Projects must demonstrate need, delivery capability and public benefit, and applicants must contribute to eligible project costs where required.

Key Requirements

Improve safety and accessibility Projects must improve the safety and accessibility of airports or aerodromes in regional Australia. The program supports essential works that improve aircraft operations, all weather access, and the safe movement of passengers, operators and emergency services.
Support regional service delivery and connectivity Projects should help strengthen access to essential goods and services such as health care, food supplies and passenger air services. The program also supports better connectivity between regional communities and domestic or global markets.
Support aeromedical, emergency and climate resilience outcomes Projects may strengthen the operational capability of aeromedical flights, aerial firefighting services and other emergency services. Projects can also support climate resilience and transition to net zero aviation technology.
Demonstrate need, readiness and value Applicants must show why the project is needed, why it is time critical, and why it cannot proceed without grant funding. Applications must also demonstrate delivery capability, sound planning, risk management, and long term maintenance of project outcomes.

What is eligible for funding?

Sealing, re-sealing or re-sheeting aircraft pavements
Extending or strengthening runways, taxiways, parking bays and related areas
Repair, restoration or reconstruction of airstrips, taxiways and aprons
Airside drainage works
Basic airside ambulance and passenger shelters
Installation or restoration of animal fencing
Navigational aids and safety equipment
Works to reduce aerodrome safety hazards
Safety related operational manuals and training for key personnel
Runway and taxiway lighting
Power for aerodrome lighting
Pilot Activated Lighting Control systems
Works supporting sustainable aviation fuel, lower emission aircraft operations, electric chargers, or hydrogen fuel storage and refuelling

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible entities:

Entities incorporated in Australia
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations registered under the relevant legislation
Incorporated trustees on behalf of a trust
Australian local government agencies or bodies
Australian state or territory government agencies or bodies
Corporate Commonwealth entities

Other considerations:

Applicants must have an ABN.
Applicants must be the owner and or operator of an existing aerodrome or airport, or an eligible lead applicant applying on behalf of the owner or operator.
The aerodrome or airport must be located in an inner regional or outer regional area of Australia.
Passenger throughput must have been below 300,000 passengers in 2024.
Applicants must provide evidence of support from their board, council, CEO or equivalent.
If the applicant is not the owner, they must confirm owner support for the project.
Joint applications are allowed where there is an eligible lead organisation.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

Industry analysis presentation
Competitor Analysis Presentation
Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.

This grant is open

Apply for this grant below:

OR